Depends on what you make in them - and of course - I never follow the directions for cook times on anything - it's done when it's done. The newer crockpots cook faster than the old ones - I like that idea.
Yep, Mama. It's done when it's done. But if I have to monitor it as it cooks that takes away the major so-called advantage of slow cookers---that you can put it up, go off to work, and come home to a perfectly cooked meal.
At one time Friend Wife and I were both working long hours, so decided slow cookers would be the way to go. I dutifully got three or four books on the subject, and started making meals while we were away. Uh, huh! I'm here to state, unequivicably, that there is no dish made in a slow cooker, no matter what the recipe says, that isn't overcooked in 8 hours. Even six is too long for most of them.
The fact is, for slow cooking I have better tools for the job: my cast iron kettles, and my tagines, and even a casserole in the oven.
I keep hearing that the new ones cook faster than the older ones, but I never noticed any difference. Even on low the older ones cooked at too high a temperature, and did it too quickly.
What they are good for, though, is keeping food warm at a buffet or similar event.
At one time Friend Wife and I were both working long hours, so decided slow cookers would be the way to go. I dutifully got three or four books on the subject, and started making meals while we were away. Uh, huh! I'm here to state, unequivicably, that there is no dish made in a slow cooker, no matter what the recipe says, that isn't overcooked in 8 hours. Even six is too long for most of them.
The fact is, for slow cooking I have better tools for the job: my cast iron kettles, and my tagines, and even a casserole in the oven.
I keep hearing that the new ones cook faster than the older ones, but I never noticed any difference. Even on low the older ones cooked at too high a temperature, and did it too quickly.
What they are good for, though, is keeping food warm at a buffet or similar event.
KYHeirloomer wrote:What they are good for, though, is keeping food warm at a buffet or similar event.
They are good for that too!
(Hey Guys- what is the difference between the "Post Reply" and the "Qucik Reply" features, here? So far I don't really see any variation in the process or the outcome of my reply...)
When I first left home in central Illinois at 17 to head 3 hours north to the Chicago area to work in my first big-time kitichens, I answered an ad in the paper in a suburb and ended up renting a bedroom in a nice home that belonged to a couple. They had these TWO crock pot dishes that I swear to God- nothing smelled better than! (although I must admit- they BOTH looked kind of WEIRD. The first one was- place a beef roast in the crock, add a can of cream of mushroom soup, an envelope of Lipton's French Onion Soup Mix and that's it. The second one was same idea- a beef roast, cream of mushroom soup and burgundy. Wow. Again, looked weird as hell- but both smelled/tasted purty darn good!
I cook sauerkraut and either Hillshire Farms smoked sausage or pork spare ribs in the crock pot now and then for 3-4 hours- love'm both! My little sister, who has pretty limited kitchen skills makes something she calls "German Dish" that we all like- though admittedly it's a bit weird too. She layers canned whole cooked baby potatos, chunks of Hillshire Farms smoked sausage, sauerkraut and get this- canned APPLE PIE FILLING and cooks 3-4 hours. We eat it w/ buttered rye toast and it's a family hit- though I won't admit it to just anyone (but, I trust ya'll here!)- HA!
Crock pots definitely have their flaws, and I likely wouldn't serve much out of one for fancy company, but I like mine. (I suspect I will use it more than ever, now that I'm living back in the real world again) The aspect I love about them is, you take 5 minutes to throw in a hodge-podge of "stuff", leave the house, and then half a day later you return home to wonderful intense aromas wafting thru the whole house and FOOD that's hot and just calling to you all ready and waiting for nothing but your hungry butt and a serving spoon!
When I first left home in central Illinois at 17 to head 3 hours north to the Chicago area to work in my first big-time kitichens, I answered an ad in the paper in a suburb and ended up renting a bedroom in a nice home that belonged to a couple. They had these TWO crock pot dishes that I swear to God- nothing smelled better than! (although I must admit- they BOTH looked kind of WEIRD. The first one was- place a beef roast in the crock, add a can of cream of mushroom soup, an envelope of Lipton's French Onion Soup Mix and that's it. The second one was same idea- a beef roast, cream of mushroom soup and burgundy. Wow. Again, looked weird as hell- but both smelled/tasted purty darn good!
I cook sauerkraut and either Hillshire Farms smoked sausage or pork spare ribs in the crock pot now and then for 3-4 hours- love'm both! My little sister, who has pretty limited kitchen skills makes something she calls "German Dish" that we all like- though admittedly it's a bit weird too. She layers canned whole cooked baby potatos, chunks of Hillshire Farms smoked sausage, sauerkraut and get this- canned APPLE PIE FILLING and cooks 3-4 hours. We eat it w/ buttered rye toast and it's a family hit- though I won't admit it to just anyone (but, I trust ya'll here!)- HA!
Crock pots definitely have their flaws, and I likely wouldn't serve much out of one for fancy company, but I like mine. (I suspect I will use it more than ever, now that I'm living back in the real world again) The aspect I love about them is, you take 5 minutes to throw in a hodge-podge of "stuff", leave the house, and then half a day later you return home to wonderful intense aromas wafting thru the whole house and FOOD that's hot and just calling to you all ready and waiting for nothing but your hungry butt and a serving spoon!
Hi Kevin,
With Quick Reply you are limited to keeping it words only and none of the cute little faces we all love so much:p Other than that I have no idea!
That is an interesting concoction your sis cooks in her crockpot, but it sounds nutritional and tasty, so hey I might just have to give it a whirl myself!
And I am like you there is no better aroma that fresh cooked food upon returning home! Except of-course homebaked bread....and that first hot slice smothered with fresh butter Oh my I am at a loss for words to even explain......... well what can you say I appreciate the simple pleasures in life in my book they are the real TREASURES!!!
With Quick Reply you are limited to keeping it words only and none of the cute little faces we all love so much:p Other than that I have no idea!
That is an interesting concoction your sis cooks in her crockpot, but it sounds nutritional and tasty, so hey I might just have to give it a whirl myself!
And I am like you there is no better aroma that fresh cooked food upon returning home! Except of-course homebaked bread....and that first hot slice smothered with fresh butter Oh my I am at a loss for words to even explain......... well what can you say I appreciate the simple pleasures in life in my book they are the real TREASURES!!!