Crock Pot/Slow Cooker questions!

**Mckeekitty** · 05-31-2009, 04:50 PM

I sure would appreciate any feedback!

I purchased a brand new slow cooker last night at an auction. I have never used such an appliance. It is a Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 (it has three size inserts...2 qt, 4 qt, and 6 qt).

I have wanted to purchase a slow cooker since hearing all the rave reviews here on the boards. I like that slow cookers use less energy, and I really don't want to run our gas stove during the hot summer months. I can't really say I purchased it for the convenience of starting the cooker in the morning so that dinner is prepared in the evening since I work from home and I actually enjoy the cooking process. But my husband often works until 9:00 at night, and enjoys a couple of beers before dinner. I myself like to eat earlier than that, and I like that a slow cooker will keep his food warm without drying it out.

I've been Googling all I can about crock pot recipes, and understand there is a "learning curve" to the art of slow cooking. I read many disasterous posts of disgusting crock pot creations. I really want to avoid that!

I just reserved a book from our library, Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker. Has anyone read it? Any other suggested reading materials/cookbooks? Any other hints that will prevent me from completely screwing up my first meal? I don't want to be discouraged from my first attempt! Is there a SIMPLE recipe I could try? We like chicken, pork, beef, pot roast, vegetables...

I would love to create an easy (and hopefully delicious) meal tomorrow while I await for the reserved cookbook to arrive back to my library.

Thanks!

**Debbie-cat** · 05-31-2009, 04:55 PM

Oooooh, you are going to love it! I use mine almost every single day in the summer...no heating up the house! Alot of it is by trial and error and I don't have any cookbooks to suggest. I just wing it.

Some food will be fine - on warm - for your hubby when he gets home from work. Alot will depend on the temp you set it at. I have thrown in roasts at 1pm right straight from the freezer, put it on high and the roast is perfect by 6pm. I then take it out and make the gravy from the juices.

I am sure others will be able to suggest cookbooks. You are going to have so much fun and wonder how you ever cooked without it. Good luck!

**happimommi** · 05-31-2009, 05:24 PM

I use allrecipes.com to find recipes for my crock pot. I like that there are reviews from people who have tried the recipes and you can weed out the bad ones. We just had barbequed pulled pork sandwiches today. So good.

**Grainlady** · 05-31-2009, 05:27 PM

Most slow cooker appliances have temperature settings of low, medium and high. It's important to know the temperatures of these settings for best cooking results and food safety. The temperatures may be checked by heating the appliance filled with water and testing the water temperature with a candy thermometer or an instant read thermometer. This is a good suggestion for anyone who purchases a "used" slow-cooker, but also when you purchase a new one.

The temperatures should be between 170-280°F, and most things take from 4-12-hours to cook.

Here's a USDA Food Safety Sheet concerning slow-cookers that may be helpful:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/...fety/index.asp

http://www.eatingwell.com/eat_drink/...fety_tips.html

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distrib...ion/M1182.html

Crockpot Recipes: http://southernfood.about.com/library/crock/blcpidx.htm

**IndigoMom** · 05-31-2009, 05:29 PM

I think you may find you've made a new best friend. Most cooking websites have a slow cooker section - BigOven.com, and allrecipes.com are two of my personal faves.
Pretty much anything you previously cooked in the oven as far as cuts of meat goes, can be duplicated.
Most of my no brainers contain Cream of (anything) soups, potatos,onions, and any cut of meat, season to taste.
Stews, chili, soups, all of it is wonderful in the slow cooker.

**Mckeekitty** · 05-31-2009, 06:13 PM

Many thanks! I'm really excited to get started. I will check out the recipes (and especially the reviews) on the web.

Thanks again for the support and encouragement!

**frugalfranny** · 06-01-2009, 01:19 AM

You are going to love it and there are literally a ton of free recipes on-line and lots of people on here know websites.

One I like; as you can pick different things and create a cookbook is recipezaar.com.......but there are lots of other great ones too.

It is great to use for any time of year. I use mine mostly in the winter.....get the crock pot going along with the breadmaker and what else do you need?
Good luck and let us know how it goes........

**bluedog** · 06-01-2009, 03:46 PM

Big thanks for the recipezaar website.It rocks!

**dogwalker79** · 06-01-2009, 04:09 PM

I just made this last week:

Cola Roast

-beef roast 3 lbs.
-24 oz. cola (can be any kind, but cannot be diet)
-packet of onion dip seasoning (I didn't have this on hand so I threw in steak seasoning and an onion I cut in big chunks.)

Cook on Low for 6-7 hours.

I thought this would be gross, but it was quite tasty and just about fool proof. Have fun!

P.S. The worst thing I ever made was a whole chicken that had gone bad. I thought it smelled funny when I put it in, but thought I was just being silly. OMG- when it was done cooking I thought I was going to barf! So there's my tip: never cook bad meat. LOL!

**lisaflex** · 06-01-2009, 06:42 PM

online, 365 days of crockpotting

we love the chix!

**luckbethislady** · 06-01-2009, 11:00 PM

I found that pretty much all regular recipes that call for 30-45 minutes or whatever in the oven go in the crockpot for a few hours....I follow the same recipe and it always turns out the same for us....just play with it...if your family is anything like mine...they will choke it down with a smile even if you do make a mistake

good luck!!!

**ttistin** · 06-01-2009, 11:31 PM

gosh I love my slow cooker, can use it for just about anything.

Like someone else said, just wing it. I just toss things in that I think will be good and you will be surprised how good it is.

I once put frozen chicken breasts, cream of soups and some seasonings and the family still ask for it lol sure doesn't look pretty but it is very good. I like making lasagna in it, I tend to use a little more sauce but it always comes out so good.

Don't forget you can do deserts in it also..

Good Luck and enjoy!

**CrazyCat** · 06-02-2009, 10:58 AM

My only caution would be to watch the recipes..and mark the 'keepers'. Sometimes I've found with the newer slow cookers, the temperatures are much higher than they used to be.

Chicken overcooks VERY easily...but as long as you watch your temperature and time, you should be good to go.

I too...love my slowcooker. A favorite recipe is posted below

6 boneless chicken breasts
1 packet dry italian seasoning mix
2 c. chicken broth

Cook in slow cooker for up to 8 hours.
Remove chicken,
Add in 2 blocks of cream cheese..and wisk until there are no lumps. Add back in chicken and 1 bag frozen broccoli.

Cook another 1/2 hr on high. Serve over noodles or rice.

Sometimes I nuke the broccoli..and just add it in the sauce and serve it.~EVERYONE in my family loves this. It's very rich tasting.

**shoiji** · 06-04-2009, 04:29 PM

I love using my crockpot. One is smaller which I tend to use more often. It is also older, so I will bring what ever liquids I am adding to a boil on the stove and then add to the crockpot. This way I don't worry about any bacteria or whatever.

Don't waste your time with the fancy plastic inserts to keep the crock clean. Once you are done with the meal, empty any extras in a container. Fill the stockpot with really HOT water and put lid back on. After a couple minutes it is really easy to clean with a plastic scrubby.

Have fun with your crockpot.

**Mckeekitty** · 06-04-2009, 04:57 PM

Thanks everyone!

Country-style pork ribs are slow cooking as I type this! I just tossed them in with a cup of bbq sauce. Won't know how they'll be until 8:00 tonight!