Crock Pot / Slow Cooker

[Anonymous]

I've seen a few posters on this board say this is an easy way to get dinner on the table. I'm tempted to get one but don't want another under-used appliance cluttering up our kitchen. (Hello standing mixer and waffle-maker . . . . )

A few questions: Are crock pots and slow cookers the same thing?

How do you know how long to put something in for? I think I've seen recipes that say 4-6 hours or some range like that. Doesn't the food get over/undercooked?

Also, any suggestions on your favorite crock pot meals? Our issue is that DH doesn't like beans or soft/mushy vegetables so a lot of stews, soups and chili meals would be out.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

A crock pot and a slow cooker are the same thing.

How long you leave something in depends on the recipe, but it's usually 10-12 hours. There are a lot of slow cooker recipe books that you can buy, plus lots of (most?) slow cookers come with some recipes, too, I think. Plus you can buy frozen crock pot meals with the instructions on the bag (lots of them are quite good, too).

We love ours -- so easy, and makes good comfort food in the winter (chili, stew, chicken and dumplings, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Sorry -- PP here. Didn't see the bit about not liking stews and chili. Might not be the appliance for you!

[Anonymous]

Yes, they are the same thing.

You put it in for the amount of time specified, and you check it if you are worried - you learn to figure it out. Its hard to overcook crockpot food - we tend to let things go longer than it says and its always been fine, although I don't like to overcook chicken because its gets dry. You don't cook chicken and vegetables as long as you would cook a cheap roast of beef, for example. Chicken is 4-6 hours, Top round is more like 8 hours. So chicken you could put in at lunch, and beef you could let go all day while at work. Chili and stews could go all day too.

I think the easiest crock pot meal to start with is a beef roast. Buy a cheap roast, trim off some of the fat, put it in the pot. Pour packets of brown gravy mix, italian salad dressing mix, and ranch dressing mix on top. Poor a tiny can of tomato juice or some water/wine on top (like 1/2 cup). Add mushrooms or carrots if you want. Let it go all day. Don't check it until after work. Serve with noodles, potatoes or rice.

[Anonymous]

Crock-Pot is the trademarked brand name for Rival brand slow cookers.

I think that most recipes out there for slow cookers (like the one above) rely on prepackaged ingredients and sound disgusting. Imagine all the MSG and other chemicals in a recipe with three packets of powdered mix. The best slow cooker meals require you do do some work in advance--browning meat, for example.

I would go to the library or a bookstore and check out some cookbooks first. If you do buy one, get one that has a built in timer and switches over to a "warm" setting once the cooking time is over. Also, there are different shapes and sizes, so depending on what kind of recipes you'll be making most often, you need to choose round or oval, and how many quarts you want.

[Anonymous]

I am using it now! I love it. It's easy, and even though many recipes are stew-like, the chewiest meat turns out tender! You can do pulled pork, sesame chicken, and boneless ribs!

totally worth it

[Anonymous]

Where can I buy the frozen crock pot meals? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crock-Pot is the trademarked brand name for Rival brand slow cookers.

I think that most recipes out there for slow cookers (like the one above) rely on prepackaged ingredients and sound disgusting. Imagine all the MSG and other chemicals in a recipe with three packets of powdered mix. The best slow cooker meals require you do do some work in advance--browning meat, for example.

I would go to the library or a bookstore and check out some cookbooks first. If you do buy one, get one that has a built in timer and switches over to a "warm" setting once the cooking time is over. Also, there are different shapes and sizes, so depending on what kind of recipes you'll be making most often, you need to choose round or oval, and how many quarts you want.

Now, now. The person who posted that probably likes it and to each her own. If you're like me and prefer not to cook with the canned soups and powder packets that a lot of slow cooker recipes seem to include, you may want to check out "Not your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook" by Beth Hensperger. I only got a slow cooker a couple of weeks ago and have made one recipe from it but it was pretty good and a cool concept to do minimal work and come back to a yummy hot dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crock-Pot is the trademarked brand name for Rival brand slow cookers.

I think that most recipes out there for slow cookers (like the one above) rely on prepackaged ingredients and sound disgusting. Imagine all the MSG and other chemicals in a recipe with three packets of powdered mix. The best slow cooker meals require you do do some work in advance--browning meat, for example.

I would go to the library or a bookstore and check out some cookbooks first. If you do buy one, get one that has a built in timer and switches over to a "warm" setting once the cooking time is over. Also, there are different shapes and sizes, so depending on what kind of recipes you'll be making most often, you need to choose round or oval, and how many quarts you want.

Now, now. The person who posted that probably likes it and to each her own. If you're like me and prefer not to cook with the canned soups and powder packets that a lot of slow cooker recipes seem to include, you may want to check out "Not your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook" by Beth Hensperger. I only got a slow cooker a couple of weeks ago and have made one recipe from it but it was pretty good and a cool concept to do minimal work and come back to a yummy hot dinner.

A PP here who totally agrees! You don't need the prepackaged seasonings! You can use your own. Just make certain to add enough water - one to two cups, I believe. With the sesame chicken, I used water, soy sauce, ginger, and toward the end, sprinkled in the sesame seeds. It was fantastic! a great creation for busy people! And you can still eat healthy meals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crock-Pot is the trademarked brand name for Rival brand slow cookers.

I think that most recipes out there for slow cookers (like the one above) rely on prepackaged ingredients and sound disgusting. Imagine all the MSG and other chemicals in a recipe with three packets of powdered mix. The best slow cooker meals require you do do some work in advance--browning meat, for example.

I would go to the library or a bookstore and check out some cookbooks first. If you do buy one, get one that has a built in timer and switches over to a "warm" setting once the cooking time is over. Also, there are different shapes and sizes, so depending on what kind of recipes you'll be making most often, you need to choose round or oval, and how many quarts you want.

Now, now. The person who posted that probably likes it and to each her own. If you're like me and prefer not to cook with the canned soups and powder packets that a lot of slow cooker recipes seem to include, you may want to check out "Not your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook" by Beth Hensperger. I only got a slow cooker a couple of weeks ago and have made one recipe from it but it was pretty good and a cool concept to do minimal work and come back to a yummy hot dinner.

I also have that cookbook and made a delicious pork recipe from it last night (and we are foodies). I don't "do" prepackaged anything and you don't need to do that with a slow cooker with the right cookbooks -- sure there's more prep but it is worth it. I don't like stews or chili either but there are lots of other things you can make. It makes the meat so tender which is great for young eaters!

[Anonymous]

We don't use ours often, but I'm glad we have one. I also don't like mushy vegetables, so we never do vegetables in it. I use it mostly for chili (which I know won't apply to you) or roasts. Ours automatically switches to "warm" when it's done. It's great though-- you can just grab a roast out of the freezer, toss in some water and a few spices, maybe a little onion, and come home to dinner that is mostly done.

[Anonymous]

I love our crockpot. I cook with it about twice a week. Super easy, you can adjust cooking time (takes about twice as long on high as it does on low) depending on if you are working/out of the house or if you need a "quicker" meal.

My favorite website for crockpot recipes is http://www.crockpot365.blogspot.com/. Most of her meals are gluten free (or they included gluten free substitutes), none of them contain canned, MSG-filled soup and very few use packaged food. I try to make something that my 10 month old can eat too (or at least a blended version of the meal). I try to make most of DD's baby food so if she isn't eating food from a jar/can, neither are the rest of us. Trust me, these are great, healthy crockpot recipes and she's a funny blogger too! She has used her crockpot everyday in 2008 and has recipes for chicken, red meat, fish/seafood, soup, desserts, appitizers and also lists by food genre like mexican, indian, italian, vegetarian, etc...I love this blog and her recipes so much; I feel like she's my new cyberspace best friend (that I've never actually met)!

[Anonymous]

PP here -- typo -- meant to say "twice as long on LOW as it does on HIGH". Opps.

[Anonymous]

Yahoo group: [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

OP, if you do not like stews, chili or mush, so not buy. Would not make sense for you right now. That is what a crock pot is used for primarily...