Using a Slow Cooker (Newbie)

balabooberlies

Hello

After reading quite a few threads I realise that I am surrounded by wonderful domestics Goddesses and Gods. I am not. But I want to try so my question is this.....

When using a slow cooker (for the first time) are you supposed to fry (seal) your meat first ?

Ditto for onions and garlic ?

We eat lamb, chicken, beef, sausages.......but I would really like to incorporate more pulses/beans. Eventually would love t!o be able to make meat tasting dishes.....without meat ! :rotfl:

Any hints and tips would be great.
Thanks in advance

Bala

boultdj

Personal choice is what I think, I just put the lot in with no pre cooking on any thing, but my sis-in-law always seal's her meat but does same as me with the onion's, so experiment and enjoy.

elsien

My main tip is not to put potatoes in. Other veg seems to be ok but the potatoes do seem to end up with an odd texture.

PasturesNew

It ends up as "up to you", depending on your personal preferences and experiences.

You can just chuck a lump of raw meat in, let it cook and eat it - that's fine. Others will swear by sealing it first, that is their choice.

In short: do what you think is best, what you can "be bothered" to do and what you prefer over time.

Everybody's different.

The bottom line though is: Is it safe to just put raw meat in, with or without other stuff? ... and the answer is: Yes.

balabooberlies

Thank you

Will just have to try it and see....

I love cannelloni beans so think I should put them in for the last hour as I confess....I love the tinned ones.

PasturesNew

balabooberlies wrote: »

I love cannelloni beans so think I should put them in for the last hour as I confess....I love the tinned ones.

Might as well toss them in at the start. They don't go mushy.

mrs_motivated

To be honest I just throw it all in and don't bother sealing meat, however, I do brown sausages because otherwise they look very pale and undercooked even though they are cooked IYSWIM.

I also used to add butter or cannelloni beans for the last hour, but don't bother any more I just throw them in at the start.

I love my slow cooker and use it at least twice a week in winter.

splishsplash

I do sear meat - I'm cooking a sirloin tomorrow and will give it a good searing in a mad hot pan first - to give it a nice caramelized layer all over. I think it adds to the flavour, and helps make a nice gravy.

I don't bother searing veg.

balabooberlies

Wow !

Have just browned the sausages but everything else went in raw. Might as well put the beans in.
I used almost every piece of veg in the fridge....so tired of chucking things out so am very glad to have found this site.

have very small fridge/freezer and my OH is a crazy online shopper because he cannot get out much. We are working on this,........

Thank you so much....will let you know how it goes

Bala

balabooberlies

Wasn't sure if I needed to put liquid in so put about half a cup,.......

Farway

balabooberlies wrote: »

Wasn't sure if I needed to put liquid in so put about half a cup,.......

You did right, they seem to make lots of liquid as items cook, so just a splosh to start really, you can always add later in the unlikely event it starts to dry out