Crock Pot

[muffinman]

About the only thing I use a crock pot for is for Vietnamese Pho Soup. You need to boil the bones for 6 - 8 hours, and the crock pot is perfect for that. I only make the soup a few times a year, so if I didn't own one, I'd just use a pot.

They're probably useful if you can get home at lunch, and start a soup for dinner. It doesn't have to be beef soup, could be chicken soup. Both need to cook for a while to get the flavor out of the bones. A crock pot might also be useful for slow cooking chili recipes.

[GregGraves]

Crock pots can be useful for office/company pot luck holiday parties. I have a crockpot and that's how I've used it.

[aeiou]

My family really enjoys corned beef and cabbage for dinner. Corned beef and cabbage must be slow cooked for several hours and therefore, is well suited for a crock pot. We have a large crock pot for making dinner recipes and a smaller one that can be used for parties. The small one is great for making meatballs and keeping them warm for a party.

[Twinmama]

I'm a crock-potting fool (mainly in the wintertime). The one thing I haven't tried making in a crock pot yet is a dessert, but I keep seeing fabulous-looking gooey chocolate type dessert recipes for the crockpot and I think..."might have to try that soon!"

My favorite part about crockpot cooking is how you can come home to a house filled with the smell of a yummy dinner.

[lizzy]

Raquelita -

Of course it is your preference - but I could not live without one! Using one is just like using a Dutch oven and slow cooking in the oven for hours. A crockpot/slow cooker can be used to cook anything - appetizers, beverages, desserts, cakes, breads, casseroles, soups, stews, meats/poultry/game, etc., pasta dishes, sauces, sandwiches - you name it. I do use mine all year 'round (actually I have a 1-qt., two 3 1/2 qt. and a 6 qt.) and I love it during the summer months because I don't need to use the oven and the house stays cooler.

If you need any particular recipes for foods you enjoy - just ask - I have many for the crockpot and I am willing to share them with anyone who would like them!

But this is just my opinion -

well i just wanted to tell you thanks for letting me know i am interested in some of your baking recipes
hey if you would like to can i also have different chicken recipes!
i would like you to have some of those ones

[Upennmama]

I like doing various curries in mine- I put in meat in the morning, some jarred or homemade sauce (spices, tomatoes, coconut milk, onions, etc) and let it cook all day on low. I add the veggies near the end so they don't get too mushy.

[TexasRose]

The crock pot is indispensable for me. We both work and so it's so nice to come home to a dinner that's ready.

My only problem is that so many crock pot recipes have to cook for anywhere from 4-6 hours. Since I'm gone a good 10 hours of the day, those are useless except on weekends.

[rt49andellis]

I got my first crock pot about a year ago - My mom never used one but my mother in law can't go a day without using it. She's always got something going whether it be meat or vegetables or both. My fave is green beans & taters with some bacon. MMMmmmm these forums make me so hungry LOL

[Mama Mangia]

Apple Brown Betty

4 cups small bread cubes -- 1/2"
1/2 cup butter or margarine -- melted
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 cups cooking apples -- peeled, chopped

Mix bread cubes with butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and brown sugar. Arrange in alternate layers with apples in crockpot.

Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours or until apples are tender. Serve warm with cream, hard sauce or ice cream. Makes 4 to 5 servings.




Blueberry Dump Cake

1 (21 ounce) can blueberry pie filling
1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Place pie filling in crockpot. Combine dry cake mix and butter, then sprinkle over filling. Sprinkle the walnuts on top of cake mixture. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours.

Serve warm in bowls topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.




Chocolate Chip Cake

1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 cup cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Mix in cream and vanilla extract.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.Pour into well-buttered floured cake pan that fits in the crockpot. Cover top of tin with 4 to 5 layers of paper towels. Cover crockpot loosely to let steam escape. Cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours or until tests done.

Allow to cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack before removing from tin.




Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

1 (16 ounce) box pound cake mix
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can pineapple chunks, juice reserved
6 to 8 maraschino cherries, halved

Mix cake mix according to package directions, using pineapple juice for part of the liquid. Melt butter in lightly greased bake pan. Stir in brown sugar and spread evenly over the bottom of the pan. Add pineapples and cherries. Pour in cake batter. Cover bake pan. Place into crockpot. Bake in covered crockpot on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Remove and invert immediately onto a large platter.

[shannone]

I have six crockpots. They all vary in size this is why I have so many. I have a busy family life so I use my crockpot at least three times a week. They are great for making roast, soups, chili, and many other foods. If you dont own one I would get one.