Meal planning

[Gemini]

Daisy, I generally get the meat or fish out of the freezer in the morning. That wouldn't work if I used a slow cooker and prepared the meal in the morning, but I have yet to use the slow cooker

[Elisi]

I do like slow cookers if I can get my act together which I do in the winter. I plonk everything in with a gravy or sauce and leave it!

[Gemini]

I did think today! I got a chicken breast out to defrost when I got up. We are having chicken and mushroom curry and rice, with a Pataks Korma sauce. I worked late afternoon, and OH was out golfing, so this was nice and quick

[ZIZI]

When the boys were at home and we had a business the slow cooker was used regularly, bung the stuff in, do some mash, rice or jackets and some steamed green veg. I still have the slow cooker in the cupboard but I cannot remember the last time I used it with only two of use it doesn't seem sensible to go to all that trouble.

[Daisy]

Zizi - I use the slow cooker in the winter on the days I look after the GDs and don't get home until 6 or 7 pm. It's lovely to come in to a meal i haven't had to cook (although I've prepped it the night before!) If I make enough on the Monday, I can just add a few things to it for Tuesday to give a bit of variety. I've only had my slow cooker a year or so (thanks to recommendations from GRU members) but really love it. I must try to do something more creative than casseroles though!!

[ZIZI]

Funny isn't it? Thirty years ago it was my saviour and now I never think of it. Now it is yours!!

[Nana]

I tried cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker once , but the depth of fat put me off eating it. It wasn't wasted tho. My DD loves pulled pork cooked in the slow cooker, along with jacket spuds.....not cooked together by the way.☺

[Nanto2girls]

I love my slow cooker, but never cooked a whole chicken in it.I use it for casseroles,i fill the slow cooker,then I have plenty for freezing in portions.Also make my own pie fillings in it,steak and onion,mince and onion,chicken and ham.

I bought one for the eldest granddaughter a few months ago, because they both work full time, she loves it.The slow cooker, not the working.

[Daisy]

Nanto - I've never thought about making pie fillings. I love pies but I find the fillings in shop-bought ones are often over-seasoned, presumably to disguise the lack of quality ingredients.

Marmar* - a friend of mine makes wonderful pulled pork - the traditional way in the oven. How do you do it in the slow cooker?

[Nanto2girls]

Hi Daisy, I don't like shop bought pies, poor quality meat, and not much of it. If I am having a pie, I want a decent amount of filling.I trim every little bit of fat off the meat, before I cook it.