Crockpot/ slow cooker users

[AlleyKat]

How often do you use your slow cooker/crockpot? Do you use well tested recipes or concoct your own?

I ask as I've had a big, beautiful slow cooker sitting in a box for years and have yet to use it.

Hints/tips on use, meal preparation and recipes would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks to all who respond!

 

[stashbin]

Go buy a rump or round roast, put it in the crock pot. Add a packet of Lipton Onion Soup mix and a cup of water. Peel some potatoes, add some celery, carrots, and mushrooms and cook on low all day while you are at work. When you get home the house will smell great, dinner is ready, and the clean-up is minimal. Tip: I always make fresh rice to pour the juice over.

 

[ragdoll]

Go to the cooking board here on the DIS. There is a sticky called "Crock Pot Crazy" (or something like that) with an index of recipes and a link to the thread. Lots of good ideas there. I love my crock pot and use it often. I am making a recipe I got from there tomorrow. It is the one with pork chops and stuffing. Easy and delicious.

 

[Briarmom]

Here's a blog that a lady did about using her crockpot every day in 2008.

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

 

[AlleyKat]

Go to the cooking board here on the DIS. There is a sticky called "Crock Pot Crazy" (or something like that) with an index of recipes and a link to the thread. Lots of good ideas there. I love my crock pot and use it often. I am making a recipe I got from there tomorrow. It is the one with pork chops and stuffing. Easy and delicious.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of a Dis cooking board.

Pork chops and stuffing...MMmmm!

 

[AlleyKat]

Here's a blog that a lady did about using her crockpot every day in 2008.

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

Holy smokes, I'm going to have fun reading/looking through the link you've included! THANK YOU so much!!

 

[AtlantaSue]

I use mine fairly regularly -either once/week, or once every 2 weeks. I use recipes from this board, and also from Allrecipes.com--just the ones with a really high rating!! The crockpot does great roasts (beef or pork), stews and soups, pork chops, beans--take it out and try it!!

 

[Pixiedust34]

I've been using it a lot lately for football Sundays. I make a big batch of chili on the stove before the game(s) and then I put the chili in the crockpot to keep warm. When we want to eat during the game, all we have to do is scoop our our chili during a commercial. No one misses any of the game to do food prep. I keep the crockpot set on low and add a very small amount of beer for a little extra liquid while the chili is keeping warm in the crockpot.

 

[AlleyKat]

I use mine fairly regularly -either once/week, or once every 2 weeks. I use recipes from this board, and also from Allrecipes.com--just the ones with a really high rating!! The crockpot does great roasts (beef or pork), stews and soups, pork chops, beans--take it out and try it!!

With the wonderful responses I've received, I have no excuse not to now!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm using mine today to make a pork loin. Sunday I'm making creamed chicken and biscuits in the crockpot. Next week is chicken tortilla soup and "italian" beef sandwhiches.

I use mine at least 2x a week in the wintertime.

You can put meat in the crockpot that is still frozen as long as the crockpot is not hot. The big thing is to leave the lid on once you start cooking. I would start with simple things while you are at home until you are comfortable doing big things while you are away.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I read that the toughest meats have the most flavor. So a crock pot is a must.

I usually season from scratch.

Mikeeee

 

[Shmily1]

I used mine yesterday and the day before. On Monday, I put a boston butt in it and poured some bbq sauce over it, salted and peppered it and put the lid on. Turned it on low and let it cook all day. Wonderful for dinner. After dinner, I tore the meat apart and put it in a ziploc bag. Yesterday morning, I put the meat in the slow cooker on low, put more bbq sauce on it and had bbq sandwiches for dinner!! YUM!!!

On Saturday, we had roast in it. Put in the roast, salt, pepper, one pkg of dry onion soup mix and one can of cream of chicken soup. Put the lid on and turn it on low. Makes a great roast with gravy already made!! YUM!!! All you need is the rice or mashed potatoes!!

I also tried a chocolate cake in it the other day. That has me soooo addicted!!!

That was the day after I cooked the dry lima beans in it!! Add in some ham, bacon, whatever seasoning you want, put in a bag of dry beans and fill it 3/4 of the way up with water. Cook on low all day and enjoy!! Cheap and good!!

 

[BabyTigger99]

I try and use mine at least once a week. Tomorrow I am throwing in chicken breasts with some canned chicken broth. When I get home from work, I will shred them and pour in some barbeque sauce. Yummy!

I also have an awesome breakfast with hashbrowns, meat, onions, cheese, and eggs. It is to die for!

 

[Dodie]

I also have an awesome breakfast with hashbrowns, meat, onions, cheese, and eggs. It is to die for!

I would be interested in the specifics regarding this recipe if you're willing to share.

Thanks.

 

[sunnyday123]

Go buy a rump or round roast, put it in the crock pot. Add a packet of Lipton Onion Soup mix and a cup of water. Peel some potatoes, add some celery, carrots, and mushrooms and cook on low all day while you are at work. When you get home the house will smell great, dinner is ready, and the clean-up is minimal. Tip: I always make fresh rice to pour the juice over.

....only I use beef broth!!

You can also throw some chicken breasts, white wine and chicken broth ( not alot) and some carrots in there.

Put that over rice and dinner is done!

 

[sunnyday123]

there should also be a cookbook in that box....the jambalaya recipe is great!

 

[Micheme]

hmmm timely post

I just finished making smothered pork chops in my crock pot for dinner tonight from my Cooks County cookbook, looks yummy!!!

I agree with everyone else, crock pots are great, esp in winter.

micheme

 

[sunnyday123]

I also have a recipe for tortilla soup....we usually are eating it until it's kind of questionable to do so...but it's so yummy it's worth the risk!!

 

[AlleyKat]

You can put meat in the crockpot that is still frozen as long as the crockpot is not hot.

Thanks, I did not know that.

I would start with simple things while you are at home until you are comfortable doing big things while you are away.

The thought of setting my house on fire has crossed my mind!

I do worry about leaving a hot appliance on while out of the house. Thankfully, I can't recall ever hearing/reading about a house fire due to crockpot negligence.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I also have a recipe for tortilla soup....we usually are eating it until it's kind of questionable to do so...but it's so yummy it's worth the risk!!

Care to share the recipe?