So do you guys know about these things called slow-cookers? Get this: you throw a bunch of s#*t into a pot, press a button, and ten hours later, dinner is ready. Itโs like magic!
Iโm kidding of course. I think at least half of the nice people who read my blog have emailed me at some point in the past few years to ask ย WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?ย WHY DONโT YOU WRITE ABOUT SLOW-COOKER DINNERS? WHY THE HECK DO YOU NOT OWN A SLOW COOKER?
Would you accept the answer: Because itโs too easy?
Last week, I finally bit the bullet and purchased one. When I turned to my all-knowing crockpot community on Facebook for advice (My request: โI donโt need the Cadillac of Slow-Cookers, a nice dependable Honda will do just fineโ) I got a lot of suggestions, but ended up one-clickingย The Original Crockpot. This one,ย you told me, is the one I want. Itโs oval, so accommodates different cuts of meat; itโs durable, programmable, reasonably priced, and best of all, fits in a cabinet. I did consider the ones with browning capabilities, but eventually ruled them out for two reasons: 1) they tended to be more expensive and 2) I donโt see myself using a slow cooker for browning. Iโm not after a hands-on technique-driven cooking experience here. (Thatโs what my Dutch Oven is for.) ย All I want out of a slow-cooker is the permission to be artless and brain-dead about dinner when I know Iโm headed for a hectic evening โ or when the idea of cooking is about as appealing as an IRS audit.
I began my education in artlessness at 7:00 am, the morning after my crock pot landed on the doorstep. The goal? To not spend more than two minutes putting something together, and to use what I had in the fridge and pantry โ no shopping allowed. It was a Thursday, so pickinโs were slim, but after scanning some of your recipe suggestions (thank you Facebook friends!) I decided to go with a version of thisย Santa Fe Chicken. I used onions instead of scallions, fresh garlic instead of garlic powder, a single dried guajillo pepper instead of cayenne, and, for good measure, threw in some chile powder, a pinch of cinnamon, and oregano. I didnโt measure a single thing and other than the onion, didnโt chop anything either. I pressed the 10-hour low function button and went about my day.
I wish I could say that was the last I thought about dinner until we sat down 10 hours later (to a delicious meal, btw). But it was quite the opposite actually: With dinner out of the way, and subsequently, with all my dinner-making psychic energy freed up, I found myself scrutinizing every meal I saw (on instagram, in magazines, on blogs and menus) wondering โWould thisย work in the slow cooker? Would that work in the slow-cooker?โ
In other words I think Iโm beginning to understand why you guys are so obsessed with this thing. I donโt know how often Iโll end up using it, but Iโm certainly excited by the possibilities. And Iโm particularly grateful that I caught on just as Halloween approaches โ we usually make a big witchโs cauldron of something self-serve-y to keep on the stovetop, like Andyโs Second Place Chili or Rich Manโs Franks & Beans. Something quick and easy for the kids who want to be done with the business of real food so they can begin their pursuit of Supersize Milky Way Darks, and also something a weary grown-up chaperone might appreciate when they ring our doorbell. (Thatโs one of my most favorite things about Halloween โ inviting parents in who I havenโt seen in a while.) Iโm thinking this time I might go with one of these. As always, suggestions are welcome!
1)ย Chicken Tikka Masalaย Only problem here is that the recipe calls for cutting the chicken into pieces. But might be worth it because I know my eldest will flip over this recipe.
2) Korean Beef Tacosย Or I might also just make Annaโs short ribsย (which are so popular, they are also in Playbook.) Note: Anna posted Top 10 Slow Cooker Meals for Parents on her blog and I plan to work my way down that list as well. (Hello Indian Butter Chickenโฆ)
3) Holiday Brisketย So my sister makes this fantastic brisket every year for the High Holy Days that involves a can of Coke. The idea of pouring that into the pot is kinda great.
4) Barbecued Pull Pork Sandwichesย My kids would freak.
5) Chicken Mole Iโm going to avoid all the pre-pureeing and see what happens. I mean, how can it be bad.
6) Lentil Soup with Garlicky Vinaigrette From the always dependable Catherine Newman. Now if I could only figure out how to get my kids to like lentils. (Warning: It involves some sautรฉing in the prep work.)
7) Sweet-and-Sour Country Ribs This is one of the first up.
8)ย Thai Chicken Soupย So up my alley.
9) Slow Cooker Cassoulet Iโm not kidding, I remember Bittman writing this story (and this recipe) in 2003 โ thatโs how long Iโve put off this purchase. (The short rib pasta sauce looks pretty darn good, too.)
10) Lastly, not a full-on dinner recipe butโฆChicken Stock!ย In the words of my friend Robin Z: โItโs not a sexy recipe, but let no organic chicken carcass go to waste! Immediately after roasting, put the bones, water, etc, in the pot & cook all night on low. Drain, refrigerate, skim fat, freeze or use as you go.โ Love that idea. Thanks Robin! See you Saturday! ๐
Because my daughter would never forgive me if I passed up a chance to use aย Roz Chast cartoon.
Hey โ just wanted to mention I made that Tikka Masala and didnโt cut up the meat firstโฆ and it basically cut itself up over time. Worked out perfectly for the ultimate in lazy dinner making.
I use my crockpot all the time for chicken stock โ just use your exact same recipe, but do it on low overnight. Works brilliantly.
@jackie rice โ good to know, thank you!
Woohoo! Iโve been looking for a trusted source for slow-cooker recipes and youโre it. Thanks!
I rarely use my crock pot (except to transport hot food to teacher luncheons) but I do use it cook Phoebeโs Chicken Chili. Super easy to make in the crock pot and perfect for those days when I have zero time to make dinner. BTW-My girls love that recipe and it is on the menu for our Halloween dinner.
Re: Chicken Tikka Masala โ You donโt have to cut up the chicken! If you buy your meat in a grocery store with a butcher counter, just take the package of breasts or tenderloins to the butcher and ask that they dice the chicken for you and repackage. I started doing this a few months ago and love the saved time (and clean up!) at home.
Two of my all time favorite crockpot recipes.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bourbon-mango-pulled-pork/
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/10/crockpot-turkey-white-bean-pumpkin.html
For the chili add a little more spice and itโs sooo good!
Jenny! I made the Korean Ribs as tacos this past weekend! My friend from high school, Brigid, gave me the idea. And because it is a small worldโฆBrigid is a former coworker of a college roommate of yours. Brigid bought your cookbook, too!! Per her suggestions, I served the Korean Ribs Tacos with shredded kale, cotija cheese, lime, avocado, and cilantro. Delicious!!!! Right now, my Crockpot is filled with eggplant, onion, garlic, a bit of tomato paste, & slow roasted tomatoes. I am serving it over cheese tortellini. Iโll let you know how it goes!
Anna! how funny! we made the Korean ribs as tacos, too โ and with a very similar slaw, minus the cotija cheese. But not in the slow-cooker. (Thinking next time with some kind of kimchi slaw or pickled cucumber slaw) They were amazing as usual. I can say that because the recipe had nothing to do with me and everything to do with you. Tell Brigidโs former coworker I say helloโฆwhoever it is. ๐
There was a time in the spring when I saved every scrap of food in what ended up in two large freezer bagsโฆ.. Carrot peels, bottom knobs of celery, onion skins and knobs, tomatoes skins, etc. Everytime I threw these bits and pieces into one of the bags. I even had some Parmesan skins I had saved
Then after a dinner of roasted bone-in breasts for six and another day of lazy rotisserie chicken dinnerโฆ Out came the crock pot. There wasnโt much room for any liquid. I did it all day. Had to add water every once in awhileโฆ. Which apparently is a no noโฆ. Donโt lift the lid
It worked
But as it was spring most, if not all the veg came on a truck many milesโฆ So as Iโm straining the stuffโฆ Iโm suddenly struck dumbโฆ.. Duhhhh
Every veg was probably treated with nasty stuff and here I was making stock with the peelings etc
I suggest making stock from garden grown or organic stuffโฆ..
Just something to remember
I ended up dumping itโฆ Couldnโt bring myself to use itโฆ.. Somehow a random cartoon of gluten free organic broth was less trouble
What really annoyed me was using those Parmesan skins that ultimately went down the drain. Boohoo
Sorry for the length
I donโt own a slow cooker either, but Iโve been thinking about getting one. Can you leave it on while youโre not at home? Iโll be interested to see more slow-cooker recipes from you as you figure out how to use yours.
An even easier BBQ pulled pork sandwich โrecipeโ: pork tenderloin, sliced sweet onion, favorite BBQ sauce and some honey. Cook on high for 4 hrs, shred with 2 forks, stir it all around and let it go another 45 min or so. Pile on Hawaiian rolls.
I have tonightโs dinner in the slow cooker as I type this. I make a soup with onion, carrot, celery, kale, wild rice, chopped chicken, stock, and coconut milk. Add a little cumin, curry, and salt and 7 hours later itโs in bowls and on the table. SO good. Iโm printing off the recipe for the chicken tikka masala and Korean beef tacos nowโฆ.
So glad to hear, that I was not the only one who did not own a slow cooker for years and stubbornly avoided getting one (same Dutch oven argument). I bought one a few months ago to cook porridge / oats in overnight for breakfast. Greetings from another convert.
If I could only have one appliance in my kitchen it would be an agonizing choice between my slow cooker and my Cuisinart, and I think the slow cooker would win. I make everything from bolognese sauce to chicken and dumplings to brownie cake. Last week I made chicken parm soup! Looking forward to this new batch of recipesโฆthank you! ๐ And hereโs a tikka masala recipe that doesnโt call for cutting up the chicken at the start, just shredding at the end which is SO much easier! http://www.framedcooks.com/2012/10/slow-cooker-chicken-tikka-masala.html
Iโll vouch for using the slow cooker to do brisket. Iโve followed Deb Perelmanโs recipe from her Smitten Kitchen Cookbook twice and itโs PERFECTIONโnot to mention easy! The best part is that it makes your house smell divine all night while it cooks. Then you transfer the brisket and sauce to the fridge, let it rest all day, slice it up and reheat it a bit in the oven at dinner along with the sauce. Yum. I also use my slower cooker to do corned beef and it turns out beautifully every time.
I also just tried making stock last week for the first time, and using the crock pot for it was the way to go. So easy!
My fave slow cook recipes
1. Italian sausage and/or meatballs
2. Lasagna
3. Greek Spring Chicken Stew from Cooking Well
4. Whole bone in chicken-breast with a tiny bit of water, on high for 4 hours: perfect for any shredded chicken recipe
5. โLion Meatโ (beef bourguignon but in the slow cooker instead of the oven)
6. Anything from โNot Your Motherโs Slow Cooker.โ
I am excited that you are dipping your toe into the crockpot arena because I have as confession to makeโฆ.I have only found one meal EVER that tasted good in the crock pot. Everything else I have tried, either tasted burnt/overcooked (chili and meatballs) or the meat was completely bland and flavorless (though a lot of the sauces/liquid by itself was rather tasty). HELP.
One of my favorite crockpot recipes is your Braised Short Ribs recipe that appeared in Bon Appetit so long ago. Works SO WELL in the crockpot!
I donโt use my crock pot all that much (b/c as you say, itโs too easy! i love to COOK!), but it can be a real life-saver in a pinch. i look forward to what you test for us ๐
Confession: I kinda hate most things that come out of my crock pot. The only successful things I have made involved either (1) a lot of sauteeing and searing, or (2) a lot of soya sauce and sugar. Even crock pot oatmeal sucked (it stuck to the side and was kinda liquidy and burnt tasting). Sigh. But I am DETERMINED to do a little intensive slow cooking immersion kinda thing before this year is up so that I can find some simple stuff that actually works. This list of recipes will be very helpful. Thanks!!!
You will love this thing, Jenny. Itโs not a total time saver, b/c everything does taste a LOT better if you can brown the meat & saute the alliums before you toss it all in the crock, but still. My 11-y.o.โs favorite: pulled pork sliders (pork butt or shoulder in the crock, dump a bottle of root beer over, cook. When youโre ready to eat dump out the root beer, shred the pork, and mix up w/a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce). Super easy & delicious & no cream of mushroom soup ๐
p.s., great in the fall/winter when you want hot, stewy things, but also for hot summer daysโI put it out on the patio & let it go all day & my kitchen stays cool.
Iโm still stubbornly avoiding the slow cooker. If you say itโs great, though, that may tip me over the edge โฆ