Slow Cooker - The Recipe Collection

Galtizz · 25 May 2005 at 10:16AM

Badgergal wrote:

Is it safe to leave on unsupervised all day whilst I'm out at work or asleep? I'm guessing this is kind of the point of these things, but I'm a born worrier.

Yes, it is perfectly safe, that is what it was designed for. I leave it on all day and go out as do lots of people on here. If you are still worried leave it on all day on a Sunday and watch it now and then (but don't take the lid off).

It does not boil it just simmers, so don't put too much water in because it won't reduce like it does in a saucepan. It uses the steam that builds up to cook things so if you keep taking the lid off and stirring it the steam is released so it takes longer to cook.

If you are adding beans (eg tinned kidney beans) either add them in the last hour or make sure they are underneath the liquid otherwise they burn. You still need to soak any dried pulses and beans (or use tinned) before putting them in the slow cooker

It has five settings, do I use the lowest or what?

The lower the setting the longer you need to leave it cooking. On low mine takes about 8 hours to cook a casserole (and it the root veggies, like carrots, that take the longest to cook). On the highest setting it takes about 4 hours, but mine only has 3 settings. If you are going to leave it on all day leave it on low, if you are putting it on at say, lunch time put it on a middle setting.

And finally, are they energy efficient, it feels wrong to leave something switched on all day?!

It uses the same amount of energy as a lightbulb, so it probably uses less energy than putting the oven on for an hour (don't quote me on that though)

I'm a bit confused so all you slow cooker experts please help Thanks in advance.

Hope that helps.

If you need any more info, just ask.

Don't be scared of them, they are quite safe

Badgergal · 25 May 2005 at 10:22AM

Ooh thanks very much to both of you for such quick and speedy replies. I'll go and look at the slow cooker thread now...

SlayerKat · 26 May 2005 at 8:46AM

(copied from in my home)

I had one of the free slow cookers from La Redoute but it's too small for my family and plus now I have damaged the crockpot bit(!)

I'd like to buy a new bigger one but not sure what to go for as the prices vary so much.

I really like the look of a three in one (slowcooker, rice cooker and steamer) from Tefal http://makea!!!!!!!!!!!.com/?P4491221B its a lot of money to spend on something I'm not sure about. Has anyone seen this model cheaper (apart from ebay) either online or in the high street?

Any comments appreciated. Thanks

AussieLass · 26 May 2005 at 12:17PM

Here is a recipe I have used often for the Slow Cooker

Steak Roulade

500g - 1kg Round Steak (thin) 1 teas salt & pepper
1 chopped onion couple rashes of bacon
1/4 cup water

Trim fat off meat, season with salt & pepper. Cut into faily workable sizes. Mix onion & bacon, put over each piece of steak in the middle. Roll steaks up and secure with a couple of tooth picks. Put steaks into SC and add water. Cover & cook on low 6 - 8 hours. I don't use the left over watery stuff but make some gravy in the micowave.

500g = 1 lb

Beef Curry

500g - 1kg blade steak 3 tabs flour
2 tabs curry powder 2 tabs oil
1 onion 1 teas garlic
1 teas ginger 1 teas salt
1 tabs vinegar 1/2 cup water
Cut steak into cubes, toss in flour & curry powder mixed, and brown lightly in oil. Brown onion. Place in SC with other ingredients and mix well. Cover and cook for 6 -8 hours on low. Serve with rice.

Bon Appetito

Bun · 29 May 2005 at 1:49PM

Hello, I'm sure that I saw the answer to this yesterday but can't find it now, so hope you can help.

Bought my 6.5L Morphy Richards slow cooker as recommended. Hubby has now sawed the end off my over large leg of lamb (and is very chuffed with himself as he had a powertool for the job!) and I am about to pop it in. I am somewhat confused though - the instructions say completely cover the food with liquid, but I'm sure you all say you don't have to. What would be the minimum you would put in? Also does the liquid have to be hot? Got the impression here it didn't but just would like to check.

Thanks in advance!

Bun

Curry_Queen · 29 May 2005 at 1:59PM

I usually just add around a 1pt of stock which is sufficient to make gravy from afterwards, as it doesn't evaporate during cooking, and no it doesn't cover the meat but then it doesn't really need to when cooking joints. If making casseroles etc, then I add just enough stock/wine or whatever to cover the meat and veggies.

Yup, it's best to add it hot so if you're using a stock cube then just boil the kettle, or if it's HM stock then just pop in the microwave beforehand to bring it up to boiling point.

HTH

Bun · 29 May 2005 at 10:28PM

Thanks very much for the advice! My leg of lamb was superb, and after eating tonight I have got enough left for soup, a pie and lamb with mint sauce tomorrow.

I am now definitely a slow cooker convert!

Bun

Magentasue · 30 May 2005 at 8:20AM

SlayerKat wrote:

I really like the look of a three in one (slowcooker, rice cooker and steamer) from Tefal http://makea!!!!!!!!!!!.com/?P4491221B its a lot of money to spend on something I'm not sure about. Has anyone seen this model cheaper (apart from ebay) either online or in the high street?

Any comments appreciated. Thanks

I have this one and I'm happy with it. It's round which is fine for me but I know that people who cook meat prefer the oval ones because it's easier to fit a chicken in.

It's just about big enough for us (family of 6) and it's very convenient for rice too. Haven't seen it discounted though, in fact it doesn't seem to be widely available. I think I only found it on Amazon and John Lewis when I was looking.

SlayerKat · 30 May 2005 at 8:57AM

Thanks Magentasue. I've actually ruled it out now. We went to have a look at one in John Lewis and decided against it for various reasons one of which is I also prefer a wider oval one. So I'm still on the look out for a new one now! Now I quite fancy the Antony Worral Thompson one from Argos at £29.99 - anyone have this one and can recommend it?

Incidently Amazon do have an offer on the tefal 3in1 slow cooker at £5 off plus free postage. The only other place I've seen it is two sizes (small and large) in Lakelands catalogue.

Kat

Magentasue · 30 May 2005 at 10:12AM

I think you need to be careful about the AWT from Argos - can't remember the details but might be worth doing a search on this board.

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Slow Cooker - The Recipe Collection

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