Crockpot, of course.
When we got married we asked, on the invite, that guests please bring along a plate of food in place of a present ( being cheapskates there was no way that we could justify paying for catering and, frankly, we have a fair amount of 'stuff' already..) and most people followed that request. We had tables full of salads, meats, smoked fish, spring rolls, nibbly things.. a feast!
But you know what surprised me? A few of our guests decided to bring along gifts as well as food. I didn't expect to recieve anything and that made the gifts feel even more special.
We recieved some lovely serving plates, a digital photo frame, a vintage flour sifter, a (lovely) glass vase, a pasta maker, the most incredible hand potted (is that a term?) big fruit bowl and... a retro crockpot.
I think the crockpot was one of the most exciting gifts for me. I loved all of our presents, but the crockpot was something I had never thought about buying myself and had never tried using. I immediately imagined soups and stews and casseroles would be flowing in our house the next Winter.
Then I forgot all about it!
So this Winter I am on a mission. I have rediscovered my plans for Wintery soupy delights and I intend (providing it actually works, I haven't even turned it on yet!) to use it to the full for the next two months, or so.
Here's where you come in: Do any of you have tried-and-true crockpot recipes to share with me? I keen to try just about anything, vegie, meaty, curry-y.. it's all good.
I love my crockpot. One of my favourite things to make is pulled pork sandwiches - just a pork roast covered in barbecue sauce and a quarter cup of water on high for a few hours, and then shredded and served on buns. The crock pot is perfect for tough joints of meat.
ReplyDeleteMy vintage crockpot is cooking up some minestrone soup right now, from a packet though. At this time of year I use my crockpot a couple of times a week. Last night we had a mince pie with mince cooked in the crockpot: just add mince, a cup or so of beef stock/bisto, some onion, and other veges you want and leave to cook for a few hours. The new slow cooker meal sachets you get from the supermarket now are pretty good, we had the beef curry one last week and it was yummy. I also cook corned beef in it a lot, using the recipe out of the edmonds cookbook, just leave it in the crockpot all day and by dinner time it will be soft and juicy and delicious! I usually add potatoes and carrots to the pot with the corned beef about halfway through the day, and then you almost have a whole meal in a pot.
ReplyDeletewoah, I thought mine was pretty old (a wedding gift to my folks in 1980) but that one definatley looks like a golden oldie! I just use any old stew recipe, but make it in the crock pot. The most common sight in ours is venision stew, but I have also made vege soup, corned beef, mince (my dad used to do chilli con carne in his), rice pudding and tapioca pudding. I've also used it to stew fruit on occasion (great for fruit for baby puree, but Otto's a bit past that!), just chuck it in and let it go... no standing over the stove stirring making sure apples don't burn to the bottom of the pot! x
ReplyDeleteoh i've got a good one, its retro to go with the era of your cool crock pot, its devilled sausages but from scratch, not out of a packet, i'll post it for you over at my place :)
ReplyDeleteTwo things. 1; Best post title EVER! 2; I want a crockpot!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE my crockpot, couldn't live without it. Our favourite family meal in is it green chicken curry, the baby to the dad all love it(I'll email the recipe to you). But I've made cakes, porridge even bread in it. Simon and Alison Holst have two great books that heaps of recipes in maybe your local library would have them?
ReplyDeleteOh wow a crockpot, finally I get to actually see one, it's as mythical as a Kiwi!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you totally want to cheat...go for an Asian Home Gourmet sachet..say korma and do it in the crockpot. Organised in the morning, smelling delish in the evening. Easy! I guess the main thing to remember (and practice makes perfect) is to not add too much liquid. Lots of goodies come out of meat and vege, and crockpots can't 'boil' stuff off. Also don't take it too seriously - make it up as you go along! You can use cook in the pot sachets too..you'll work it out!
ReplyDeleteGood ol Reuby. Greatest present ever.
ReplyDeleteCan we name it please?
I have been experimenting using a slow cooker since last winter too. Am also quite a fan in summer! Some of my favourites - meatballs in tomato sauce, chilli con carne, slow cooked lamb, pulled pork on burritos or buns, satay chicken, indian lamb curry, chicken tortilla soup, bolognaise, lamb shanks, soup, lamb stew... I have blogged many of these recipes. Also the blog A Year of Slow Cooking is worth a look. I just love putting dinner on in the calm hours of the morning and having it ready.
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