slow cooker quick questions thread

Gingham_Ribbon

(Cough cough....)

ShelBell

I would use 1/2 guinness 1/2 stock. Cut the carrot and swede into cubes smaller than the beef, as they will take longer to cook. Veggies cook best on high, unless you microwave them a bit first to start them off. I would throw it all in together and do on high for 4 hours then low for the rest if the veggies are soft by then.

Gingham_Ribbon

Thank you shel. No microwave and I like an easy life so I'll add them all together and do like you say.

nat82

I have never used my SC to make soup before (such a novice!) and wondered how long to cook it for?

Thanks!

Wee_Bargain_Hunter

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

Beef and guiness stew? I have braising steak, carrot, swede, leek and onion. Do I add it all at once? Do I use stock as well as guiness?!

Prob a bit late but I put everything in together. Put root veg at bottom as they take longer to cook. Add fried onions + browned meat (tossed in flour 1st). Add ale to just cover + a bay leaf + mixed herbs. Tomato puree + mushrooms are nice if you've got them. Enjoy!

Juliav_2

Could anyone help me! New to using a slow cooker and have a bolgnese receipe, it states to cook LOW for 5-8 hours.

I am hoping to put it on overnight but am exhausted and want an early night. Would it be ok to leave it for 8-10 hours?

Hope someone can answer this - thanks

hotcookie101

Am by no means slow cooker expert, but stuff doesn't dry out in there, so really see no reason why not-surely would just make it sweeter/softer/tastier
Am sure the more experienced OS/SC people can correct me if I am wrong

Bunny200

Depends on your slow cooker, I have 2, small & large, the large one lets out steam a little so over a really looonnngg time the food would dry out a little. This doesn't stop me doing it I just have to make sure theres plenty of liquid (at the end if theres too much liquid I leave the lid off for a bit!). The small one doesn't let any liquid out so I have to underestimate the amount of liquid to use. If any of that makes sense I hope it helps, basically you can leave it for ages and ages just beware that some slow cookers do release water therefore adjust for that fact and you are sorted! Mine gets left on for 10 hours easily!

Juliav_2

Thats great, thanks for the replies.

Suppose it's just getting used to what you can and can't do and judging the liquid levels!

Bunny200

I found out today that a critical part to cooking with a sc is checking that it is actually turned on!!!:o Put sausage and haricot bean casserole in there and about 3 hours later wondered why it wasn't warm! The kids had slightly firm beans (had already boiled them for ages, just finishing off in sc) but didn't complain much! Doh, still live and learn:rotfl: