slow cooker quick questions thread

Different_Corner

Packets of dried beans lurking in the cupboard, really fancy a spicy bean casserole effort.
So if they are soaking all day today and over night, if I give them a rapid boil tomorrow morning, then throw in SC with tomatoes, chilli, cumin, garlic and some veggies, what do you all think.
Or don't rapid boil ? Will I create mush ?
TY

kraftykat

Hi,

I have a huge joint of beef that I want to cook in my SC. I love steak pieces when they are falling apart......but how to I SC a piece of beef so that it can still be sliced for a roast dinner & not shredding when I try to cut it

Slinky_Malinky

I find slow cooked joints much easier to slice if you let them cool first.

iamzippy

I slice big beef before I cook it. Lovely thick steaks (though I'd say it was more braised than roasted). They lie nice and flat at the bottom, too.

23rdspiral

i've bought one of those massive turkey legs from Asda, and think slow cooking might be the way to go. I've got some celery, sweede, carrots and potatoes to use up, so it looks like it might be stew!

Does anyone have any recomendations? Or advice on how long to cook it for?

billieboy_2

I have some ham stock in the freezer from Christmas. Can I do a ham and split pea soup in the slow cooker? And if so, for how long? And do I need to soak the peas first? Back of packet doesn't mention it. Also, is it one of those pulses like kidney beans that needs a fast boil to get rid of toxins? TIA.;)

SparciaM

I'm thinking of buying this cooker: http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?id=144050313

and wondered if people thought it was a good beginner slow cooker. It's a good price and I've looked at it in the shop and it looks sterdy enough for a beginner. Any thoughts?

ariba10

Yes-and what with three heat settings it looks good value for the money.

23rdspiral

billieboy wrote: »

I have some ham stock in the freezer from Christmas. Can I do a ham and split pea soup in the slow cooker? And if so, for how long? And do I need to soak the peas first? Back of packet doesn't mention it. Also, is it one of those pulses like kidney beans that needs a fast boil to get rid of toxins? TIA.;)

i've not made pea and ham soup from stock before, but i would think it would work fine.

split peas are non toxic so do not need soaking or a specific boiling time, so there's no need to worry. (i believe in india they even use a small variety as a seasoning and only fry them off.)

on the hob they wouldnt need soaking just cooking for 40min - 1hour depending on their age and how you like them. i cook for 45 min then wizz half with a hand blender to get a consistency i like.

in the slow cooker, with a ham hock, i think they'd be ready after 6hrs on low but i now soak mine overnight to lessen the s/c time needed as they were always the last thing to cook through. hopefully someone else has more precise timings on just the soup part...

Emzy81

Hi
I just wondered is there a slow cooker recipe thread? Im completely new to using one,
Thanks