slow cooker

[Thunderchild]

how do you use a slow cooker ?
just a rough outline nothing highly specific if it involves know which one we have

[rabbitygirl]

Well, ignoring the fact that it should come with instructions and usually a small recipe book, you just use it like a big stew pot. It is very cheap to run.
For example, get everything ready for a stew; cubed beef, sliced and diced veg, maybe a tin of lentils or beans. Put the whole lot in, a packet of oxtail soup made up (1.5 pints is best to cover the ingredients) stir. Switch it on medium as you leave for work When you get home around 8-9 hours later your dinner is ready.(Use high setting if out for less time.) Just do a few spuds.

This will easily feed 4 adults. I use fairly cheap stewing beef and a long slow cook tenderises the meat beautifully. It also makes a great rice pudding. Use favourite casserole recipes as well.

[Postdog]

I use it for soups, stews, etc, and it is simplicity itself. Just bung it in and let it cook, Packet soup with added fresh veggies and cubed chicken (don't even have to cook that first!) is a favourite.

[Tim Baxter]

A slow cooker does what it says on the tin, it cooks things slowly! So a stew that would cook in 20 mins in a pressure cooker or 2 hours in the oven can be left overnight or through the day to be ready cooked when you come home.

So whatever stew type dish you want to cook including potatoes or dumplings can be done. Remember that because you're cooking for a long time you can use cheaper cuts of meat.My favourite was a lamb (neck end or shoulder) ragout packet mix, hmmmm, delicious!

It used to be that you had to avoid kidney beans in a slow cooker, I don't know if this is still true.

Cheers

[amonty1144]

It is also an economical and less steamy way of making a steamed pudding, ideal for steaming the christmas pud..but it does take longer.