I've got a new toy!

Curry_Queen

Cariad wrote:

If I bought one I would need a large family size one preferably oval shaped and one I could put, part of it in the dishwasher,(not a lot to ask!).

I've just noticed on the side of the box of my MR 6.5 litre cooker that the removable pot is in fact dishwasher safe! We were discussing this a while ago and no one seemed quite sure, but I can now confirm it is

I'm going to try a few more recipes first. Any help re recipes, books, websites and obviously the best slow cooker for family use will be greatly appreciated.(and where to buy at the best price!)

Take a look through this thread, which should keep you busy for a while LOL! ... plus I've just posted some recipes up on the top sticky thread which are suitable for slow cookers too

General consensus here says the Morphy Richards 6.5 litre is the best buy, although we seem to have depleted all stocks at Tesco and Amazon (ooops ) but there are some left at Argos I believe, for around £30.

Cullumpster

I brought my first slow cooker on Saturday,

from TJ Hughes for £19.99 a 4.5 litre Bush one.

Done my first meal, Mmmmmmm How nice was that !!!

Nothing fancy, Spanish chicken, and done some jacket spuds as well.

B/f commented on how nice the chicken was. :j


So a big thanks to you all (Especially Curry_Queen) who made me unable to resist the temptaion of the slow cooker recepies !!!!! :T :dance: :beer:

elona

Juno

Is there something in the freezer that you could defrost in the microwave?

elona

Kim

A slow cooker is like a big crockery pot with a lid that sits inside a casing that is plugged in electrically.

You can cook joints of meat on low overnight or all day and come home to a ready cooked meal.

It also saves on fuel costs and makes meat extra tender.

heatherw_01

Is a slow cooker more economical than using a gas cooker or does it really only save money compared to a electric cooker?

elona

Heather

It uses the same amount of power as a light bulb and also does not steam up the kitchen and cooks really tender meat that falls off the bone.

Queenie

heatherw_01 wrote:

Is a slow cooker more economical than using a gas cooker or does it really only save money compared to a electric cooker?

As elona stated, it saves on your energy bills whether you cook by gas or electric; it is economical foodwise because you can cook cheaper cuts of meat (which are perfect for long, slow cooking) such as brisket/stewing steak/braising steak - which are far cheaper cuts than say, sirloin, rump, porterhouse.

The other beauty is that you can load it up in the morning, go out for the day to work/play/socialise/be naughty/whatever and know that your meal (on average) will be safe for a good 6-8hrs average. Even if you are late home, the food will not spoil/dry up by being left a further couple of hours. You use less fluid than traditional methods of cooking; vegetables retain their structure better because they don't turn to mush which in turn keeps their flavour.

In the summer, when cooking in the kitchen is impractical because it adds to the overall daily heat of the day, a slow cooker can be a real godsend! I haven't tried them personally, but, you can cook bread and cakes in a slow-cooker and it's not simply restricted to "casserole" style meal ideas.

Back in the war years, a hay box was made from the gas mask boxes and was really a forerunner to todays electric slow-cooker. Solar cookery is also a method utilised for slow-cooking and preceeded even the hay box method.

It's such a pity that in today's "I-want-it-and-I-want-it-NOW" culture it has resulted in so many speedy ready-meals, which lack the thrift, nutritional and flavour of traditional cooking. For just a few minutes prep. in the morning, a luscious, hearty meal can be cooking all day (or even overnight!) and just begging to be gobbled up at teatime
(Unless you're a stay at home mum in which case, those aroma's tantalising you all day long can have the adverse affect of making you nibble as you salivate in anticipation )

squeaky

Own up - who's got instructions for making bread in their slow cooker?

Please, please, please, please.

juno

elona wrote:

Juno

Is there something in the freezer that you could defrost in the microwave?

I've just gone through the freezer and found a Mystery Ready Meal! That's my daddy's dinner for tomorrow sorted!

Otherwise we have a gammon steak. Would that be good in the slow cooker?

Squeaky wrote:

Own up - who's got instructions for making bread in their slow cooker?

I wanna try that too!

Ticklemouse

You can make garlic/herb bread in your slow cooker, using already baked bread, but I haven't a recipe for bread itself.

If you're interested, my recipe book says:

Loaf or rolls, white or brown
Butter
Mixed herbs/garlic

Cut loaf into slices or rolls almost in half. Mix herbs or garlic into butter. Spread butter over both sides of each slice or cut sides of rolls. To prevent bread fanning open during cooking, secure with a 'cap' of moulded aluminium foil. Do not totally enclose in foil. Stand in the slow cooker and cook for recommended time (1-2 hours)

I have to laugh, this book is 20 years old, when garlic bread wasn't anything like a common as it is now. In fact, it just recommends herb bread, but I can't see why garlic won't work. Seems hard work to make HM garlic bread though!! Haven't checked my new MR cookbook cos it's downstairs.