Slo Cookers

[Drisgirl]

are blooming brilliant.
I am off to work and by the time I get home I shall have a plate of home made soup ready.

All my neighbours leccy is off -have been filling flasks with hot water and all that -but im underground (electricity wise) so i'm all right Jack -however I have made enough soup that they can all have at least a cup tonight.

What do you think of Slo Cookers -I know they are old fashioned but they are still one of the best inventions.

Offski soon-so forgive if I dont respond until later xx

[Drisgirl]

lol -u know what I mean Zac -I can smell it cooking just now -delish.
Imagine walking through the door tonight to be met with a ready meal -I can only have a plate as I have to be neighbourly as some are elderly and i want to keep some back for them.
Im all heart really !!

[evedawn]

I'm way too scared to leave any electrical appliance on whilst out the house. (except the fridge) I even turn the cooker off (at the wall not just on the cooker knob)) each night before I go to bed....i am maybe a wee bit paranoid??.

[funnygirl]

You can't eat/drink soup everynight!!!!!!

[theonlyone]

I've had a slow cookers for years ..
a brilliant machine ,cheap to run and
not a lot of washing up ..and safe to
use ...

[Rosetta]

I have only just tried mine for soup and its brilliant

[moonshadow]

I had one in the cupboard for eleven years before I used it a few months ago and now I wouldn't be without it. Not only saving electricity but as you have said Dris coming home to that lovely smell and the meat and gravy are delicious.

[theonlyone]

You can put the toughest cut of meat in
the slow cooker and it will melt in your
mouth ..I always steam my Xmas pud
in it ..and the kitchen doesn't steam up ...

[4getmenot]

i just stick food in the oven at lunch on a low heat then ready when I get in

[Drisgirl]

Thanks for all your answers -this is my first one and its true what theonlyone said -everything is so tender and crucially nothing burns.we are stil at the experimenting stage but so far I am in total love with it !!

Evedawn -I leave blooming everything on standyby when I leave the house -I know I shouldnt but I do -my husband works away and works very long hours outside in all weathers -6am until 7pm, and he has one and its a blessing that he can come in at night and his mince or stew is ready for him or else he would still be drinking cup a soup at 10 at night lol

FG -i would eat soup every night -honest I love it and its not fattening woop de woo !!

Anyone got any good recipes for it that i could try?

[Im a BusyBee]

im now on my 4th slow cooker-think i wear them up! i use it average 4-5 nights a week. i dont have any receipes as such but just chuck anything in that i have to hand or fancy and ive not had a disaster yet over many many years! i think every kitchen should have one and im glad you've discovered them.

[Emz26]

I've always thought about getting a slow cooker but wouldn't know where to start with it! Would be interested to see any ideas on here..........

[puddicat]

emz get a small one say for 4 peeps!!!

[Emz26]

thanks puddicat. Then what would I do with it?! What could I cook in it?

[puddicat]

well i am sure you can buy a slow cooker recipe book??,plus you will get loads of advice from hardened slow cooker buffs lol!!!

[Emz26]

Thanks again puddicat! I will have a look around. I normally cook eyerything from scratch using the cooker. (Sorry for hijacking your thread drisgirl!)

[theonlyone]

If you can buy brisket on the bone where
you are ...a real cheap cut ...but it will come
out the slow cooker like a bit of topside ..
and with more taste ..lovely !!!

[shaneystar2]

Best bit of kitchen gear ever . I am on my third in over thirty years .
You can cook most stuff in them even cakes.They make the toughest meat tender and are great if you are out all day and want a hot meal when you come in especially in this bloomin ' cold . Brilliant for stews,casseroles and pot roasts . Chuck it in ,switch it on and walk away :)
There is loads of info on the web but the best book imho is the one from Lakeland
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/slow-cooker-cookbook /F/C/preparing-food/C/preparing-food-cookery-b ooks/product/10667

[Drisgirl]

No probs -Tesco have brillaint ones on offer for �9.97 atm -we bought 2 and also one from Asda but the Tesco one is brilliant -have kep that for a gift.

I can honestly say that it is the best way of cooking -just lash things in and they come out so tasty -i was even saying to H that the soup was superb as you dont lose any of the steam -everything cooks in ist own juices so even the watery bit was tasty.

i have one for my daughter so she can make mince and onion and perhaps tomato sauce in before work -she leaves about 7am and then at night all she has to do is decide -chilli or bolognese..

H has a curryi going ATM on slo and it will be ready for him tomorrow night.It doesnt burn -its incredible !! (You can hive higher setting for obvious quicker times)

I feel as tho i have just discovered a hidden secret -every house should have one !!

[Rosetta]

Can I pick your brains on this?
. The mistake I have made is to add too much liquid to casseroles etc. I cant reduce the liquid down as I have an induction hob and it won't work on that. I'm an idle so and so and dont want to use another pan, and anyway it would turn to mush. Is there a rule of thumb how much liquid to add?