I just bought a slow cooker!

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah. Well, if you've read a few of my threads, you would know that I don't really...cook... yet.

Lots of prepared foods, sandwiches, McD's, Burger King, Pizza, etc. Along with ramen noodles, deli meat / cheese sandwiches, etc. Occasionally, my mom will cook me something. (No, I don't live with her, but I live close enough, too close, but that's another story for another day.)

So, I've made a (small) investment into my nutrition.

I went looking for something on Ocean State Job Lot's web site, in their flyer, and lo and behold, they had several slow cookers on sale, or maybe, just mentioned in the flyer.

A non-programmable 2.5Qt and 5Qt "Master Pot", and a $34.99 digitally-programmable (countdown timer!) ToastMaster, 7Qt.

Of course, I got the one with the programmable timer, as I don't want to burn my apt. down and piss off my neighbors if I get distracted or have to leave for some reason.

So, I'm looking forward to looking up some Kaido threads, getting some recipes, etc.

Yay, me!

(And thanks to all the people that have bought my PC parts out of my FS/FT thread so far, that has been a real blessing lately, that I've been able to afford a cooking tool upgrade!)

 

[purbeast0]

I use mine pretty much weekly to make my lunch for the week. I put like 4lbs of chicken breasts in mine with a big tub of salsa and cook for 6 hours on low. Then I shred the chicken and mix like 2 big ass cups of the salsa with it. Once it cools down I mix it with spring onions, some mayo, and salt.

Then I'll make these chicken and cheese "burritos" which are just tortillas that I fold over into like a taco shape, that I microwave for 90 seconds to warm em up at work. I eat 2 a day for lunch, usually like 2-3 hours apart. Everyone at my job is always asking me what it is because it smells really good. It also tastes good and is cheap and pretty healthy.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I have one but don't use it much, the only thing I really know how to do is beef stew in a few variations, like I throw random vegetables in it but mostly same recipe. I need to start learning more things to do in it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Can you make Mac and Cheese with it? How would you go about doing that? Can you throw in water and slow-cook / steam dry pasta?

Edit: Couple of boxes of Kraft Dinner, and a couple of cups of water, would that do it? Cook for an hour?

 

[Crono]

Slow cooking any type of pasta isn't ideal (as far as I know). Make something else if you can with slow cooker, have the macaroni and cheese as a side.

EDIT: apparently people do cook macaroni and cheese in slow cookers, but it's more for homemade. Not sure how well the instant cheese stuff does slow cooked.

 

[daveybrat]

Can you make Mac and Cheese with it? How would you go about doing that? Can you throw in water and slow-cook / steam dry pasta?

Edit: Couple of boxes of Kraft Dinner, and a couple of cups of water, would that do it? Cook for an hour?

Come on Larry, you don't buy a slow cooker to make boxed mac and cheese! You need to look up some recipes for pork, chicken, chili, and other soups. Remember, with a slow cooker you want to cook something for about 6-8 hours on low. That way the pork, chicken, or beef just fall apart.....mmm, so good. Also nothing better than throwing some corned beef with some veggies in a crock. Tender and delicious!

 

[Red Squirrel]

For mac and cheese I use a casserole dish. Most recipes will call for that. Also find a "real" mac and cheese recipe if you want mac and cheese, like where you use actual real noddles, cheese etc. The only time I have Kraft Dinner is if I feel a little nostalgic. Had it all the time as a kid.

Though I find on it's own it does not really make a good meal, it's more like a side dish. I tend to put stuff in mine like broccoli or sausage.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Slow cooker is not for things that can be done in 10 minutes on a stove. It's ideal for cuts of meat that need a long, slow cook time. Play with meats like brisket, pork shoulder, chuck roast, oxtails, short ribs, etc. 10 hours in a crock pot will turn even the toughest cuts fork tender.

 

[sdifox]

should have bought an instant pot instead

 

[Kaido]

Slow cookers are pretty easy. Most just have a high & a low setting. I recommend using your smartphone for timers (because 4 to 8 hours is a long time to remember).

I also recommend starting out with crack chicken, it's super easy & glorious:

https://cookiesandcups.com/slow-cooker-crack-chicken/

 

[Darwin333]

Sorry, just had to be the smartass.

 

[Darwin333]

Can you make Mac and Cheese with it? How would you go about doing that? Can you throw in water and slow-cook / steam dry pasta?

Edit: Couple of boxes of Kraft Dinner, and a couple of cups of water, would that do it? Cook for an hour?

Umm, why wouldn't you just boil it for the recommended 12 minutes or whatever it is?

 

[sandorski]

The only thing I make with mine is Baked Beans.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The only thing I make with mine is Baked Beans.

Can you make those, by getting dried beans, and throwing them in the slow cooker with some water?

Or do you need to "soak" the beans first, for some time (how long?) in water, and then throw them in to cook?

 

[Iron Woode]

Can you make those, by getting dried beans, and throwing them in the slow cooker with some water?

Or do you need to "soak" the beans first, for some time (how long?) in water, and then throw them in to cook?

soak the beans first overnight. toss the water to cut down on flatulence.

I have a recipe I use from a local bean company:http://www.thompsonslimited.com/portfolio-item/old-fashioned-baked-beans/

this is a good starting point for modding to suit your needs.

 

[John Connor]

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

It's not difficult man.

Toss in a big 3lb fat piece of beef with some beef broth, same for chicken. Slow cooker is a great way to make lean meats IMO.

Common recipes:
Beef Stew - Pieces of Beef + Carrots + Celery + Whatever else you want in a stew
Buffalo Chicken - Personally love this - toss in 3+ lbs of chicken and a bottle of Franks Red Hot sauce.
Chili - Ground Beef (pre-make in a skillet) tossed in with kidney beans, spices, onion, etc...

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I use mine pretty much weekly to make my lunch for the week. I put like 4lbs of chicken breasts in mine with a big tub of salsa and cook for 6 hours on low. Then I shred the chicken and mix like 2 big ass cups of the salsa with it. Once it cools down I mix it with spring onions, some mayo, and salt.

Then I'll make these chicken and cheese "burritos" which are just tortillas that I fold over into like a taco shape, that I microwave for 90 seconds to warm em up at work. I eat 2 a day for lunch, usually like 2-3 hours apart. Everyone at my job is always asking me what it is because it smells really good. It also tastes good and is cheap and pretty healthy.

By chance do you have a recipe? I could use something easy and tasty for easy lunch meals weekly.

 

[whm1974]

@VirtualLarry Getting a slow cooker is one of the best investments you can make. Don't worry about burning down the house as you basically can't and it is pretty much "Fire and Forget". It is great for making roast beef and Corn Beef stew.

Put in the meat and veggies, a cup of water(8 Oz)or less, and some seasonings. Put the lib on and turn it on to low. Use a liner, as that will make clean up easier.

I would by buy some Tupperware or Rubber Maid food storage containers as you easily make almost a week worth of meals with one.

 

[Iron Woode]

there are tons of recipes for crock-pots from websites and printed books.

I am sure you can find many things to try out.

 

[purbeast0]

By chance do you have a recipe? I could use something easy and tasty for easy lunch meals weekly.

Uh, you just quoted the recipe. Did you even read my post?

 

[Pick2]

My wife uses Hers to make Lasagna , meat loaf , Pulled pork , baked beans , stew , soup , sweetish meatballs , various chicken meals. It really keeps the heat down in the kitchen during the summer.

 

[deadlyapp]

Slow cookers are one of the best inventions ever made. Eliminates cook time and simplifies things tremendously.

Seriously - you don't need any recipes, all you need to do is this:

Pick a meat
Pick some seasonings
Add a liquid
Cook on low overnight

My main go-to dishes are:

Chicken + Salsa (can add additional veggies like peppers, onions, cilantro, etc but not required)
Chicken + seasonings (garlic, onion, basil, oregano, chili) + chicken broth
Pork + salsa verde
Pork + seasonings + chicken broth
Beef + Beef Broth + Veggies

Slow cookers are best for doing proteins. You can also use them for soup/stews but you have to be careful not to turn veggies into mush.

Yes you can do things like casseroles in them, but I prefer to stick to the oven so you actually get a crust of some sort.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

If only there was information on ingredients with directions for using them readily available online. It would be wonderful if said information was rated by people who actually made it.

 

[snoopy7548]

I make this a lot. Always comes out perfect.
https://www.familyfreshmeals.com/2014/10/best-crockpot-chicken-noodle-soup.html

This one is pretty damn good too:
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/slow_cooker_shredded_chicken_chili/

And there's a beef stew recipe that's really freaking good, but I think I only have a print out of it.