Preparing for maternity leave - Is a slow cooker worth it?

annie_d

I think they are worth it just for the smell of comfort, homeliness and contentment alone.

Northern78

Morning all

Thanks for the replies.

I think you're all talking me round to the idea. I've also seen that slow cookers are on offer at Aldi next week, not sure if that's just the one local to me or in all.

Katylou - Thanks very much, I'll drop you a PM on my lunch break.

krlyr

splishsplash wrote: »

Overall attitude to slow cooker? Meh. No good for soups or bolognese/chillis etc where you want depth of flavour - stuff can't reduce and develop in the slow cooker, so you never get that concentration, imho.

Definately agree with this. Whilst very convenient, I stopped doing bologneses etc. in my slow cooker as the taste really wasn't the same. Nowadays I use a wok (much easier to stir without it spilling over) on the hob, set at the lowest temperature it simmers nicely and reduces for a much better flavour.

Having said that, there are some recipes I find the slow cooker great for - pulled pork or pulled chicken work great, chuck a whole joint in or several chicken breasts (thighs/drumsticks would work too if you removed the bone later) for a while before shredding with two forks. If I'm out for the day, I might stick something like a curry in there to cook through, and just reduce it down on the hob for 5-10 mins before serving.

Mine was free on my local Freecycle, and picked up my mum one too - so take a look. Cost me nothing to give it a try, that way

flakecake68

I just love my slow cooker and use it at least 4 times a week, I have two a 6.5L and a 3L but find that I use the 3L most often (2 adults and 2 children 12 and 7). I do everything from stews, whole chicken, bolognese, chilli, curry, gammon, pork, beef, soup and much more, if you need a thicker consistence all that is needed is to leave the lid off for the last hour on high and you get a rich thick gravy.

Cheaper cut of meat cook beautifully, before I started using my slow cooker I would have never of bought cheaper cuts so now it saves me money on food as well as electricity.

I use a Facebook page called - Slow Cooker Saddo's! - great page for recipes….

sillyvixen

a work mate of mine has just got a slow cooker and raved about it - the first time she used it she raved about how little effort it took and the house smelled like she had been slaving over the oven for hours. 2 weeks later she has announced she is 3 months pregnant - seems she got the slow cooker to make things easier when time is at a premium as a new mum.

I have a small slow cooker, tbh i have never used it as i am veggie and not heard great reviews of cooking veggie meals in it - as i am getting married to a confirmed carnivore next year - i am going to give it a go with meat dishes and consider buying a larger one - as the less messing with meat the better and if the small one works out larger one will make more for freezing and i can build up a stock with less fuss.

malefic

Bit late to the party here but I always dimissed them as a money waster, but after working out how much they cost to run I grabbed a couple!

We normally use ours in the winter when we want warm filling food to come home to and throw most things in there, especially with the cheaper cuts of meat.

We do currys, chilli, whole chicken, casseroles, lemon curd (ok, not filling but comfort food) and I have even had a go at making bread in them.

Best thing is you spend a few minutes in the morning putting everything in the pot and thats it, dinner done for when everyone is hungry that night!

I love the things!