crock pots?

[pantherlj]

Do you use yours much? In Summer too? Any must have features? I assume oval is better than round.

I have a 4 qt so it really isn't big enough to make much in it. My mom said she would get me a 6 qt for my birthday. I often see recipes for crock pots that I would like to try but mine just isn't big enough for them. Not sure I will like how they taste though Do crockpot meals taste great?

Any electric bill concerns with running it for 8 hours at a time?

What about low cal? Can you do low cal and tasty in a crock pot? Trying to stick to some weight watchers type points.

Thanks!

 

[lunalibre]

I use my crockpot a LOT. I've got a 6 qt. oval, and I would definitely recommend that shape over the round because it's easier to fit bone-in turkey breasts, chicken, and roasts in an oval pot.

I'm not familiar with WW points, but I cook a number of things in my crockpot that I think are fairly healthy. Here are a couple of ideas. Remember that cooking times vary by crockpot! The first few times you use yours you'll want to be at home to check for doneness until you get a feel for cooking times. No one wants dried-out chicken or raw turkey! I got a crockpot cookbook called _Fix it and Forget it LIGHTLY_ that I really like.

Mexican chicken/pork: Start with ~1 pound boneless meat, FROZEN. For chicken, I use those boneless/skinless frozen breasts. For pork, use the thicker-cut boneless pork chops. Mix together 1 package taco seasoning (I use reduced sodium) and 1 can Ro-tel tomatoes (tomatoes and chiles). Cook on low 5-6 hours (in my pot) until meat shreds with a fork. Use in salads, tacos, soups, casseroles, etc.

Italian chicken/turkey/beef: For chicken, I'll use ~1.5 boneless/skinless breasts (FROZEN). For turkey, I use a THAWED bone-in turkey breast (about 5 lbs). For beef, use ~5 lbs of a super-lean cut of roast (like eye of round). Mix together 1 package dry zesty italian salad dressing mix and 1 cup of water (or more if you want more broth). Pour over meat in the crockpot. Add more italian seasoning, basil, and oregano if desired. Cook the chicken on LOW about 6 hours. Cook the turkey on HIGH, using a meat thermometer to check for doneness starting around 5 hours. Cook the beef on HIGH for a good 6 hours, then continue cooking on low another 4 hours or so until the meat will shred. Use the meat in casseroles, sandwiches, soups, etc.


I think both of these recipies could be considered fairly healthful depending on how you serve the meat once it's cooked.

 

[lunalibre]

I forgot to say that it's typically cheaper to use your crockpot for several hours than it is your oven for two. At least that's what I remember... .

 

[leslieseagle]

I love my crock pot. I use it all the time. And without using oils and butter and things, you can make a pretty healthy meal with all the trimmings in one pot, how easy. I have heard that using a crockpot is much more energy efficient than turning on your oven. I have crockpots in three different sizes, depending on what I am making. You can find an abundance of crock pot recipes online.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

I have been using mine more escpecially since my DIS friend here told me I could put FROZEN meat in! that really saves me a lot or worry. I can throw it together and go to work. Anyway here is a lonk to a ton of recipies that someone here posted before. It has points listed in it too but of couse, I cannot vouch for the accuracy. Have fun with it!
http://www.halfmysize.com/crockpotrecipes.doc

 

[TxRabbit]

Best cookbook for healthy crockpot recipes:

Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook by Beth Hansperger and Julie Kaufmann.

There isn't a single can of creamed soup in any recipe . All fresh ingredients. Every recipe that I have tried is wonderful. Everything from overnight breakfast cereal to ribs to chicken wings to chili to dessert. Fabulous. Check it out through your local library to see if you end up using your slow cooker more and then buy it. Oh, and plenty of recipes for all sized crockpots, you'll end up wanting one in every size.

 

[Kimmumum]

You asked about the different sizes. I have a shallow oval and a deep round. I use the round one all of the time. I never use the oval. I like the way the liquid covers better in the round one JMO

 

[MrsNick]

I recently bought a 4 QT oval slow cooker and love it. I find that it's actually plenty big for most things, and for recipes that make more than 4 QT, I just size down the recipe.

I have made: Corned beef for St. Patrick's Day, Paula Deen's Chili (using ground turkey), Chicken Soup, Split Pea Soup and a few other things. It's definitely big enough for a roast (the corned beef was large), and would definitely fit a 4 pound chicken. I think the fact that it's oval shaped makes the 4 QT large enough for what I need.

 

[StephMK]

I'm doing WW too & am looking for more recipes. I love my oval crockpot - helps to have the removable crock for cleaning. My old one wasn't removable & I didn't use it as much. I just made chicken tortilla soup in it this weekend. I like that it doesn't heat up the kitchen. I like it for chili, roasts, shredded chicken, etc.
You could easily make some great low pt meals in one!

 

[Mamatoaprincess]

I use mine all the time and love it. It is supposed to be extremely inexpensive to operate and like one of the above posters said, there are tons of recipes on the internet. I have a fix it and forget it cookbook and use it alot. If you look around you will be able to find healthy recipes that work for you!

 

[momof296&02]

I love my crockpot & I haven't ever used any type of cream soup in my recipes. One of my favorite recipes is brisket- I put a can of cranberry sauce on the bottom & the brisket goes on top (fat side) up & then I put onion soup mix on top. It's very good. I use crockpot liners & then I wash out the pot in soupy water.

 

[Maybelle]

I do use mine all the time, although not so much in the summer because we eat cold meals much more. I have a big oval one, which is great, but I would actually like to get a small one, as we are only a family of 3, and while I usually cook enough for leftovers, it would be nice to use a little one now and then.

I am actually going to be replacing my crockpot to match my kitchen since we re-did it. I have been researching them, and I am going to buy the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go, because we go to a lot of "pot-lucks"

 

[Zoemakes5]

I, too, am on the crock pot bandwagon! Love it! One thing I really like about it is that you can buy lesser quality pieces of meat and when you slow cook it with some sort of seasoning or tomato sauce, you get tender meats! I make swiss steak in the crock all the time and LOVE it.

We have a big one and a small one too. I will often use the smaller one for meat only (ie no side items like potatoes or anything).

I also think that when you use ground turkey ("turkey hamburger" as we call it) that using the crock pot tends to infuse the flavors a bit better into the meat, since it's so lean. I also think it makes the beans in chili softer, too.


I use my crock pot even more in the summer because I don't want the oven heating up the house!!

 

[cryssi]

there's a great crock pot recipe sticky on the creative community/cooking board...

I haven't been crocking it lately b/c I work so close to home, but I used to do it all the time. Nowadays, I just do beef stew or pot roast, or shredded beef. I really want to try pepperoncini beef or pork, but I don't know if DH will like it...hmm, never know until you try! LOL

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

I use mine all the time! I have an oval Rival brand. I saw a really nice oval 7 quart one at Walmart tonight for $32.99. It has the standard Low/High setting,but you can also put a time cook amount.Which if you want it to cook for 8hrs,it will,then keep it warm automatically. Very nice,maybe someone will get me that one for mother's day since my knob broke on my other. I aslo cook the Banquet frozen crockpot meals. The chicken and dumplings is our favorite!

 

[WDWAurora]

Seriously, buy the crockpot liners. They are FABULOUS!!

For tonight, I threw this in: chicken (1lbish), 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup BBQ, 1/8 cup soy sauce, and 1/4 cup butter

So bad for me...but it's like a sticky chinese-ish chicken. Yummy!

Check out www.recipezaar.com Under techniques (or something like that) you can search just crockpot recipes. Search for one called 'Crockpot Angel Chicken.' It's really good!

 

[M 'n C]

I love mine. I have the automatic timer/shut-off one from Rival. It was $50 at target and I highly recommend it.

 

[grlpwrd]

I love my crockpot!

I have a collection of crockpot cookbooks, such as Fix It and Forget It and the Mabel Hoffman one from Costco.

I do not make meals with cream of mystery soup. It's amazing that I can season naturally and add healthy ingredients then have an amazing meal.

 

[qtwns]

Love mine! And when my family sees me bringing it out in the morning they get all happy b/c they know that they will be getting a yummy hot meal for dinner and that the house will smell delicious all day.

 

[keishashadow]

WDWAurora - sounds fab; thanks for posting!

I use mine more in summer so as not to heat up the house w/oven.

Still have a Rival model from the late 70's - ugly!!!

Got a nice new one for Xmas (yes, i asked for it lol); with the fancy removeable crock; oval shaped - biggest i could find; a pricey splurge.

Used it once, put it on storage shelf in pantry. Stoopid dog pulled it down my the cord & broke the insert; chewed cord.

Went to JC Penny's & got an "off brand" that I never heard of for less than $20 (1/3 the price of the 1st one). I'd swear it's the exact duplicate of the Rival.