[Mega]

Hi all
I just bought my first slow cooker £7 Asda !!  Now I need some recipes or info on how they work  :blink:
I have found a few online some say to cook the meat first and others say not to ??
Anyone got any experiences they can share 

[Sideways]

We now cook whole chickens in our SC, bung in some wine, spare veg and loads of herbs, cook on low for 7~8 hours, bingo! Best tasting, moistest chicken you ever did eat! If you need to crisp it up for show, simply bung it in the oven for the final 20mins.

Also, we now buy a good quality turkey crown for Christmas day and cook it in the slow cooker, no more bland tasting, dry turkey at crimbo. It also frees up the cooker for the roastys etc.

Get down to your butchers and ask for some brisket of beef or a shoulder of lamb, perfect for the SC.

[Mega]

Oh really  :blink: thanks wouldn't have thought of that  great for Christmas as you say I only buy crown anyway. Oh hehe getting all excited about going to my butchers now 

[MoreWhisky]

Im gona try the chicken in mine to  another good idea !

[Aidy]

More often than not I will sear the meat before I pop it in unless its a whole joint.
Cassoulet is a particular favourite of mine in winter, always ready for when I walk in with some crunchy french bread.
Simple food is always the best.
Ham shank braised in cider, then reduce the juice down to form the gravy with a knob of butter.
Oh the list is endless.

[Yorkie]

Lamb shank is a classic 

[noshed]

Liver and bacon - sear the liver briefly in flour and fry the bacon for a couple of mins.
The other winner is curry - any curry, just cut down on the liquid.

[Spana]

Get down to your butchers and ask for some brisket of beef

We love brisket, dont know why people dont buy it more.  I nice big piece from a good butcher is just the best.

We are beef produces so i can take my pick from our own cattle and i would swap all the sirloin joints for brisket anyday :happy: Cooked real slow you cant beat it :happy:

[Elcie]

I asked this last year some time, and got a great recipe for gammon cooked in coca-cola, it was delicious!  Also in cider, that was also lovely!

[Madame Cholet]

I cook fruit in mine for jam, or dessert if desired. Just pop it in leave for a few hours no standing over it. Good for chutneys that need long slow cooking leave mine on the high setting with the lid off slightly.

[shokkyy]

I'm getting a new cooker (at last!) in the next couple of months, and it's a range cooker that comes with a slow cooker oven. I've never used any kind of slow cooker before, so I'm looking forward to having a play with it. What I've never understood is what the difference is between using a slow cooker or a normal oven with the temperature turned down low. Is there a difference?

[Spana]

I prefer things cooked slowly in a proper oven.  I suppose a slow cooker will use less energy.
 I tend to fill my oven when i use the big oven with several casseroles to cook at the same time. 
But if i do a big lump of brisket  i stand it on a rack over a tin with a small amount of water in the bottom and roast it open, really slowly.  I would cook an 8lb brisket joint for 10hours on 1 or equivalent.

[mumofstig]

why do I suddenly feel very hungry

[Janeymiddlewife]

My kids love cowboy casserole,
1 pack good quality sausages
carton of arrabiata sauce ( or make your own)
1 tin butter beans

about 6 hours on low - you can also chuck in cooking apple, sweet potato chunks, onions - usually serve it with pasta.

have also done jacket spuds in it - blitz them in the microwave first, then smear oil over spuds, sprinkle with salt and cook on high for an hour or so - probably cheaper than putting the gas oven on!

[chrissie B]

great bit of kit , i do allsorts in mine , talking of Christmas great for steaming the Christmas pud with out filling the house with steam and you dont have to keep checking the water all the time 
all the best
chrissie b