In my slow cooker today...

Smashing_Blouse

Why after 61/2 hours cooking on medium would my swede and carrots still be rock hard

I put them on the bottom, poured over a tin of chopped tomatoes, then put sausages on top and another tin of chopped toms and a bit of water.

Have ended up eating the sausages and a jacket potato and chucked the rest:o

any ideas will be most welcome

Pitlanepiglet

Smashing_Blouse wrote: »

Why after 61/2 hours cooking on medium would my swede and carrots still be rock hard

I put them on the bottom, poured over a tin of chopped tomatoes, then put sausages on top and another tin of chopped toms and a bit of water.

Have you used the SC before? How big were the bits of veg?

It sounds like either you had the veg too big (but TBH it would probably have to be huge) or the SC is faulty.

Having said that, I managed to not put the lid back on mine yesterday wasted the first 90 minutes of cooking time, it was obvious to me when I went to check it but if it had happened mid way through I wonder if it would have been as obvious?

Pitlanepiglet

Pitlanepiglet wrote: »

I've just cooked a large turkey drumstick in mine, I chucked it in with some onions, frozen carrots (I've got some that don't cook well for some reason so I put them in earlier than I would do normally), a chicken stock cube, some water and a couple of shakes of mixed herbs. After a few hours (bit of a false start as I didn't put the lid on properly :rolleyes:) I chucked a few handfuls of pearl barley in and then after four hours or so maybe a bit more, I scraped the meat off the leg, I didn't take the leg out just got at it with a spoon and fork and I've got a really nice looking stew.

Another time I might take the leg out and convert the turkey/veggie stuff to soup and then eat the turkey meat as "roast" turkey.

I know it's rude to quote myself but thanks to whoever recommended turkey drumsticks, this was absolutely fantastic! Next time I'm going to put more water in to make it more soupy than stewy. The pearl barley is lovely and only 38p for 500g in Tesco!

Smashing_Blouse

Have used it a couple of times before, but normally put it on about 8.30, this went on 10.30, always on medium.

The veg was cut into small chunks and the lid was on.

The only thing I can think of is that it needed longer, as some bits were soft

shelley1977

today i made a turkey casserole with dumplings and it was great,ive only had my slow cooker a week but have used it almost every day.it takes the stress out of cooking while im not feeling so good and the children are all happy with the results too.

azlan

Got a slow cooker on freecycle and used it for the first time today...........I made a stew with beef, carrots, swede, onions and potato in stock with herbs - similar to what I would normally do........................buuut............ there was a bit of a smell....... earthy not so noce and the liquid tasted the same - I chucked some chili/cumin etc into it and think have saved it.

Does anyone have any suggestions where I went wrong??

suzywoozy_3

I have chutney cooking in mine, I use my slow cooker loads but have never done chutney - not sure it'll work - fingers crossed.

Olliebeak

Smashing_Blouse wrote: »

Have used it a couple of times before, but normally put it on about 8.30, this went on 10.30, always on medium.

The veg was cut into small chunks and the lid was on.

The only thing I can think of is that it needed longer, as some bits were soft

I've never had a problem cooking stews etc with veg in them. But I have read other postings where veg remained only partially cooked.

I think that slow cookers can take some getting used to (I've had two different ones and have had to adapt recipes from one to the other!) - maybe it might help to either soften the veggies in some oil in a pan OR part cook them in the microwave first.

Another thing maybe, to try slicing thinly rather cutting into small chunks.

Good Luck - slow cookers are well worth the effort of experimenting.

lollyred1

when cooking chicken etc do you brown it off first??

Pink.

lollyred1 wrote: »

when cooking chicken etc do you brown it off first??

If I'm cooking chicken pieces I brown them quickly before putting them into the slow cooker because I think it makes them look better and improves the flavour. If I'm doing a whole chicken in the slow cooker, I don't brown it but remove it when it's cooked and pop it under the grill for a few minutes to crisp up and brown the skin.

Pink