using crockpot

[feyzanour]

i never used a crockpot. why would u use it over a regular pot and is it healthy (because it heats with electricity)?

[3timesoccermom]

Hi feyz. Whether what you cook in the crockpot is healthy or not depends mostly on the ingredients. If you use healthy things and lean meat then you should have no problem. The crock pot is really good for cooking things long and slow on low heat, particularly cuts of meat that might otherwise be tough like a roast.

Crockpots are a favorite of working moms/dads because they can assemble the ingredients early, even the night before in some cases, then just turn on the crock before they leave for work. I would recommend you use one a few times while you are around to keep an eye on it to get an idea about the temperatures it cooks with first. Some cook hotter than others, and vice versa. Also, to make it even easier you can buy bags to line the crock with to make cleaning up afterward easier.

I am almost certain there's an area on HCW that has crockpot or slow cooker recipes. You may need to dig around. It also might be worthwhile for you to check out a couple of library books on crock cooking to get some recipe ideas.

OK??

[jolly321]

I am an avid crock pot user. I love it because you can put all your uncooked ingredients together turn it on and in 5 - 10 hours (depending on the recipe) have a fantastic meal. I have used one of these for about 10 years now. I even cook frozen roasts in it and it comes out better then if I cook in the oven.

Here is the link to recipes.

Crockpot Meals - Hot Coupon World

[$Saving!]

i never used a crockpot. why would u use it over a regular pot and is it healthy (because it heats with electricity)?

I use my crock pot for everything, literally!

I use it to cook turkey breasts, chicken, lasagna, soup, you name it, I use it!

If you want to have some fun, google "crock pot recipes" and spend the rest of the day (literally!) looking at the gazillion recipes out there. I built an entire 3 ring binder full of recipes for the crock pot that way, there are so many sites dedicated to crock pot cooking!

It makes meal cooking a snap and uses little electricity to get the job done.

A lot of the newer crock pots cook at higher temps now, even set on low, because manufacturers wanted to be sure meats were cooked thoroughly for those who prefer to use lower heat settings. I rarely use high heat anymore.

Keeps everything moist due to low and slow cooking method and lid is always on.

Everything can be cooked in the crock pot, literally.

And I love using the crock pot throw away liners you can buy at the grocery store, clean up is - well - done All except the lid, the big heavy pot doesn't need to be cleaned, just toss the liner! Those liners are made of the same material that oven cooking bags are made of only they are meant to fit the crock pots, large oval included.

Love, love, love crock pot cooking!

[3timesoccermom]

Also they don't heat up your kitchen like your oven can.

[gettinrevvin2007]

Ditto to everything said so far. Crockpots are great for no-fuss cooking. You don't have to worry about boil-overs, like you do w/ a stove top. You can go about your other household duties, or play in the yard w/ the kids, while it's doing the cooking.

You can buy program-able?(sp?) ones, that turn on/off while you aren't home, so it starts while you're gone. You can also buy the 3-in-1 kind, that comes w/ 3 different size crocks, for smaller to bigger group feedings. For instance, when it's just you and your spouse, vs. everyone including the kids, or for a church potluck.

They are a lifesaver in the summer, when you don't want to heat the oven (aka the whole house).

You can cook big amounts of soups and stews, and put into freezer containers for later use.

Some people even make meatloaf and cake in their crockpots.

There are zillions of crockpot recipes online. You could google them for a long time.

I like doing roasts in mine. They don't require much supervision, to keep them from drying out, like w/ ovens.

You will be amazed how simple it is, once you start.

[Dealio]

I agree with what everybody else said. I use my crockpots (I have 3 of various sizes) almost exclusively in the summer. My kitchen doesn't have an A/C vent. The crockpot keeps the kitchen cool.

Also, I like to make oatmeal for DH and DD in the crockpot. I put all the ingredients into it around midnight, and by 5am the oatmeal is ready for the early birds.

[amylynne01]

LOVE the crockpot. Makes your house smell SOOOO good that you want your dinner like 3 hours before it's ready. One thing that I really like is that I can make dinner while the girls are in their high chairs eating lunch. They're out of the way and contained, so I can make dinner in peace. For us the hour before dinner is like a witching hour, so I can focus on them instead of being in the kitchen.

[couponsmakecents]

I have 4 crockpots and many days will use multiples to make several dishes. I have them also set with programable timers so they come on at different times. I freeze the ingredients and put them in the crock pot and then I can delay the starting time about 1-2 hours. If the recipe calls for liquid I measure the liquid called for and then freeze and that also can push back my start time as well.

I have done an entire Christmas Eve Midnight meal one year and it was ready at 1:00 am after we came home from church. Everyone got a kickout of it.

[jennsvs]

Crockpot lasagna is THE best. I use my crockpots at least 3 times a week. I have also made blackberry preserves in my big one several times. I have never had an issue with them. I tend to put them on and leave. I have also used them overnight for oatmeal. I make my chili in the crockpot now too. It tastes so much better. For things like that, be sure to brown the meat first.
Here is a site I have found several good things on. I made the orange chicken the other day and it was great. A Year of Slow Cooking


If I am not allowed to post that website, please let me know and I will delete it. I thought it would be okay since it was a recipe site. If I'm wrong, I'm sorry and I will remove it.