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I was thinking of getting a crock pot because I believe it will simplify my life...
- Thread starter kathleen
- Start date
Hey, Kathleen! There's a great recipe in Tried and True here for Crockpot Cassoulet...
I always reduce the amount of bacon...it's very good! There is also an interesting website by a woman who has committed to making 365 crockpot meals for 2008--yep, that's every day! You can google it...I may try some of hers...the downside is that she uses a fair amount of canned ingredients, so that's a turn-off for me BUT some of them look good enough to try. There's one for beef, sun-dried tomatoes, feta and white wine that looks somewhat do-able. Crockpots are great for beans and soups, stews, too. The woman who does the 365 thing also has done a SMOKED beef recipe that she says worked very well.
I always reduce the amount of bacon...it's very good! There is also an interesting website by a woman who has committed to making 365 crockpot meals for 2008--yep, that's every day! You can google it...I may try some of hers...the downside is that she uses a fair amount of canned ingredients, so that's a turn-off for me BUT some of them look good enough to try. There's one for beef, sun-dried tomatoes, feta and white wine that looks somewhat do-able. Crockpots are great for beans and soups, stews, too. The woman who does the 365 thing also has done a SMOKED beef recipe that she says worked very well.
patbastrop
Well-known member
Is the All-Clad crockpot worth the money?
cynupstateny
Well-known member
I guess I'm the exception. Bought one, cooked in it for about 3 months and gave it away.
That is my fear.
I have never used one before and I think there is a reason. I like to be there when the food is cooking to tweak it and make it just perfect. On the other hand, we are losing our live-in nanny as she is moving back home and I am struggling to figure out how to prepare nice meals while still doing the million other things I have on my plate. I am especially worried about Sunday evenings and with our schedule am struggling to figure out how I can avoid feeding my kids McDonald's. I was hoping the crock pot could be my solution but none of the recipes I have uncovered so far are very compelling.
Kathleen
I have never used one before and I think there is a reason. I like to be there when the food is cooking to tweak it and make it just perfect. On the other hand, we are losing our live-in nanny as she is moving back home and I am struggling to figure out how to prepare nice meals while still doing the million other things I have on my plate. I am especially worried about Sunday evenings and with our schedule am struggling to figure out how I can avoid feeding my kids McDonald's. I was hoping the crock pot could be my solution but none of the recipes I have uncovered so far are very compelling.
Kathleen
Try these favorites from some of us.
http://finerkitchens.com/swap/forum1/39844_Casserole_thread_is_great__How_about_crockpot_meals?__Ill_start
Be sure to look at Dawn's links at #9 to find lots more recipes.
I learned to love my crockpot when my kids were in all of their activities, I worked, and we'd get home at 8 to find a hot supper waiting. For sides, I keep some ready-to-microwave prepared mashed potatoes and veggies in the freezer. I also like the Uncle Ben's brown rice bags that heat in 90 seconds.
Good luck!
Now, me. I never haul out the cuisinart. That was a waste of money for me.
http://finerkitchens.com/swap/forum1/39844_Casserole_thread_is_great__How_about_crockpot_meals?__Ill_start
Be sure to look at Dawn's links at #9 to find lots more recipes.
I learned to love my crockpot when my kids were in all of their activities, I worked, and we'd get home at 8 to find a hot supper waiting. For sides, I keep some ready-to-microwave prepared mashed potatoes and veggies in the freezer. I also like the Uncle Ben's brown rice bags that heat in 90 seconds.
Good luck!
Now, me. I never haul out the cuisinart. That was a waste of money for me.
music-city-missy
Well-known member
As for figuring it out....
Think of things that take a long time to cook, less expensive cuts of meat that benefit from long slow moist cooking methods, things that get better the next day and stuff like that then take those and try them in the crockpot.
I go through phases where I'll pull it out and use it ever few days and then I might put it up for a month before I pull it out again.
The crockpot cassoulet is great and you can play with the meats and beans.
Layer roasts with different varieties of vegetables.
Pork roast, chops, ribs and/or sausages with choice sauerkraut, onions, apples, fennel, potatoes.
Or slow cooked pork roast Italian style - cooked long and slow with milk, a little white wine, garlic, herbs and lemon peel (optional). Then just reduce the milk down into a 'gravy' when ou get home while you prepare mashed potatoes, pasta or rice.
Cuban ropa viejo is one I do all the time that DD loves - flank or skirt steak with onions, carrots, peppers, celery, bay leaf, cumin, tomatoes and a little water or broth. Drain the liquid off and shred meat and add to the vegetables and enough juice to keep moist. Eat plain with rice and black beans or use to fill sandwiches, tacos, quesadillas, etc.
Beef stews, coq au vin, Molly Steven's Braising is a great place to start as most braising recipes work well.
Think of things that take a long time to cook, less expensive cuts of meat that benefit from long slow moist cooking methods, things that get better the next day and stuff like that then take those and try them in the crockpot.
I go through phases where I'll pull it out and use it ever few days and then I might put it up for a month before I pull it out again.
The crockpot cassoulet is great and you can play with the meats and beans.
Layer roasts with different varieties of vegetables.
Pork roast, chops, ribs and/or sausages with choice sauerkraut, onions, apples, fennel, potatoes.
Or slow cooked pork roast Italian style - cooked long and slow with milk, a little white wine, garlic, herbs and lemon peel (optional). Then just reduce the milk down into a 'gravy' when ou get home while you prepare mashed potatoes, pasta or rice.
Cuban ropa viejo is one I do all the time that DD loves - flank or skirt steak with onions, carrots, peppers, celery, bay leaf, cumin, tomatoes and a little water or broth. Drain the liquid off and shred meat and add to the vegetables and enough juice to keep moist. Eat plain with rice and black beans or use to fill sandwiches, tacos, quesadillas, etc.
Beef stews, coq au vin, Molly Steven's Braising is a great place to start as most braising recipes work well.
Also, as for figuring it out, the crock pot will come with a recipe book. Use it as a resouce...
You're likely to find recipes roughly equivalent to your favorites. Use the ingredients from your favorite and adapt the timing from the booklet.
For instance, a pot roast can be browned in a skillet, then put into a crock pot with stock, wine, onions. and whatever else you want to include, to cook all day. The cooking time is much longer--and there is no danger of overcooking because the temp is much lower.
Don't try to do the impossible. Crock pots are for braises and stews, chili, ham hocks and beans, etc. Not pasta, stir-fry, or steak.
You're likely to find recipes roughly equivalent to your favorites. Use the ingredients from your favorite and adapt the timing from the booklet.
For instance, a pot roast can be browned in a skillet, then put into a crock pot with stock, wine, onions. and whatever else you want to include, to cook all day. The cooking time is much longer--and there is no danger of overcooking because the temp is much lower.
Don't try to do the impossible. Crock pots are for braises and stews, chili, ham hocks and beans, etc. Not pasta, stir-fry, or steak.