Slower Cookers Are They Good???

trafalgar_2

See just like Pickfords ;D ;D ;D

anyhow do anybody tell you if you need to brown the mince first :-/

Galtizz

They are fab - buy one now ;D
I put toinghts tea (stew) in there this morning and, when I get home it will be ready to eat.
I chopped the veg last night and browned the meat this morning. If you're out most of the day and can't be bothered to cook at night they are great IMO.

Does anyone know if I have to brown the mince before I put it in the slow cooker or can I just bung everything in together? :-/

Sheel, you have to brown the meat, I brown onions too if I'm using them but then I like them burnt to a crisp well done ;D.

I use a modified receipe from the old style board (I think it was MATH that posted it, of to find it) for my chilli and it's lovely.

More advise I can give is that the liquid won't reduce so make sure you don't put too much in.

Galtizz

Found it!

Huge apologies it was BeachBeth that posted it. 2nd page 9th item.

I know this totally contradicts what I said about water but I found this recipe is better with a bit more tomato puree, the first time I did it the kidney beans on top caught (because I didn't stir it at all) so either make sure that you stir it a couple of times or make sure all of the kidney beans are covered with liquid.

I leave it on low for about 8 hours (and brown the mince first)

MATH

Yes you really do need to brown mince to reduce the fat content. If find it easier to do this in the micro. All other meat you can just bung straight in although browning first adds more flavour and colour, same with onions.

bridiej

I ALWAYS brown whatever meat I'm using first, my slow cooker book says to do so.....

Glad

Crikey this thread moved quicker than pickfords ;D ;D
wouldn't it be better in old style with the recipes

the reason I moved it to 'I Wanna' is because Pat_ was saying she wanted one and asking what's the best brand? and are they worth it?
Questions that might be answered in 'I wanna'

there is already a thread on 'old style' with slow cooker recipes so I didn't want to confuse the issue by adding this one too,
the link I posted does take Pat to the slow cooker recipes we have already posted

trafalgar_2

No problem ,was just a thought that's all ,there's some cookers on that same thread

this seems to be a popular one Pat_

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000C6WH1/ref%3Dbr%5Flf%5Fkh%5F0/202-5724159-8515008
I still can't decide whether to get one or it will just end up in the cupboard

Savvy_Sue

Mine mostly lives in the cupboard but comes out at Christmas. We have Christmas dinner in the evening, and I put the pud in the slow cooker in the morning and let the smell seep around the house all day. Frees up a ring for veg.

I would use mine more if I was more awake in the mornings or if you could prepare food the night before and leave it in the cooker overnight before starting to cook it in the morning, but you're not supposed to do that.

vanoonoo

couldnt you prepare everything the night before and put the crock in the fridge then just deposit the crock into the element in the morning? maybe with the aid of several post it notes dotted around the kitchen

Pat__3

Thank You everyone for the ideas, youv'e been great ;D



I am definitely getting one now with a seperate dish inside as most people think this is best, I also think it would be better for cleaning purposes.

Thank You