Slow cookers

[Gemini]

When I called into DD1's house yesterday, to drop off GS's school stuff and pick up his Halloween bat costume, I noticed the slow cooker working away in the kitchen, with a meal for DD and SIL that night.
This reminded me that once again, I need to use the slow cooker! I have never owned one, but OH has one which we have never used.
We got it out and I have been looking through the booklet.
I know many of you have these, so I have a question for you.
Do you stick to the recipes which come with your cooker, or do you adapt and use your own? I tend not to follow many recipes in my cooking, preferring to just throw things together more often than not.

[Oma]

Just throw it all in Gem B very rarely follows a recipe

[Qwerty]

Like Oma very rarely use a recipe apart from I always but my veg on the bottom and meat on top

[Daisy]

I almost never use a recipe - unless you plan for it, I've never got all the ingredients in! Just chuck things in, taste the gravy and add whatever else you think will taste nice. I've found out that if I make one in the afternoon, and turn it off overnight (pop it in the fridge if your kitchen's warm) and restart it the next morning by evening it will be even better. You may need to add more liquid but the meat just melts in your mouth.

I have to confess I've only ever made casseroles in my slow cooker, but I know you can do all sorts of other things.

[Glammanana]

I never keep to a recipe just put all together and as Qwerty always put veg at bottom,I do all sorts not just casseroles and have used one for years it saved so much time when the DCs where all at home always something ready for them to eat .

[Gemini]

Thank you ladies. I will experiment

[Enfys]

We use ours a lot especially at this time of year. I do a big batch of whatever, then we eat one portion and I freeze the other 2. It’s always better for being reheated I find, so the 2nd and 3rd meals are much tastier. I just chuck in anything to hand, a great way of using up odds and ends of veggies. I’ve also done a gammon in ginger ale, yummy 😀

[Mimi]

Over the years I have tended to be a 'lets see what I have' and in it goes.
You don't need to seal any meat before hand as it cooks slowly in the cooker and it absorbs the juices from any stock you are using.
Frozen veg can be used , again as it cooks slowly it is a lot more tasty. Just one tip, if you do use frozen veg use a little less stock than normal as frozen veg can dilute your stock .
I always make a big stew/casserole ( yes more than one sausage before anyone says ). It can be reheated the next day and as we all know it tends to taste better the next day .

[Qwerty]

Recipe for ginger ham please Enfys 😀

[Enfys]

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/ginger-glazed-ham

Here you are Qwerty.

[Gemini]

Enfys, would you like to include that on the Recipe section as well when you have a moment?

[Enfys]

Yes, ok Gemini. I always forget about that.

[Qwerty]

Wow that was quick thanks Enfys

[Gemini]

She's a speedy lady Qwerty

[Enfys]

It’s also now in the recipe section

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