General Chat

*blushes....I put mine away to day together with the juicer and waffle maker......lol BC XX

I was boring again tonight............did lamb chops in the slow cooker with carrots and onions but was so tasty.
Will try a beef stew in a few days.
Mind you Ed did say he thought when l brought it it would sit in the cupboard but l proved him wrong, lol.

Nice one tonight, casserole steak and mushrooms, half a tin of tomatoes one carrot and a jar of Spanish sauce (meant to be for chicken), dumplings added 45 minutes before the end served with new potatoes and buttered cabbage with carraway seeds.

thanks, will have to try that, butternut squash would cook through it seems to cook quickly and would be a nice flavour.

Ann I used carrots cut up but not too small, butternut squash ,sweet potato, onion sliced and a normal roasting/boiling potato but as I was only adding them for bulk and flavour I was very happy with the way it turned out, veg were softer than I usually like but it was delicious. I did broccoli to go with it which was lovely. I know what you mean about veg though.

Oldbean did the veggies cook through OK? What veg did you use? I am a bit wary since I tried carrots when I first had mine and they were not cooked. I don't like my veg overdone but I don't like it too underdone either.

O.h. has become very interested in these since his work collegue mentioned them and is going to look at another shop to see what they have, as I haven't been to Argos yet. Fine by me, it means he can pay ad if it isn't a very good one, I won't get the blame!!

Lizx

Well Ann it is very strange as I had replied earlier but it has disappeared!!
Anyway............ it was brilliant thank you Ann and well worth doing I was very relieved having left it on high all day as I have no medium setting. The meat tender and the veg but I did brown all and added hot stock to it to be on safe side. Thickened as I said with a splash of wine! Drank the rest!! Sooooooooooo thanks for the great tips from you all confident to continue with another perhaps on Sunday

Oldbean, how did it turn out?

Thanks.

It made about 6 pounds.

Thank you Pammy, how many pounds did it make roughly?

Just finished making some marmalade with the help of my slow cooker and it is lovely.
1 kg Seville oranges
2 lemons
1 litre boiling water
2 kg sugar (warmed)
Slice oranges & lemons finely, reserving the pips. Put fruit in slow cooker with 500ml of the water, cover & cook on low 6-8 hours or overnight.
Simmer pips with remaining 500ml water for 30 mins. Strain & put liquid in large pan with fruit & liquid from slow cooker. Bring to boil, add warmed sugar, stir over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Boil rapidly until setting point is reached. Recipe says test after 15 mins but mine took about 25. Allow to stand until a skin forms then bottle in usual way.
Made a lovely, rich flavoured marmalade with none of the hassle of watching a simmering pan of fruit for hours.

I will be interested to know how it turns out Oldbean as I wonder if you should have left it on medium. Let us know.

I have just bought the tesco slow cooker as recommended. Thank-you! So today, for the first time, I have some diced pork and lots of veg with some stock. Off to work with fingers crossed as I won't be in till 6 o'clock!! I intend to thicken it with butter mixed with flour to stir in to enrich and maybe a splash of wine and serve with greens. I shall leave it on the high setting and ask OH to check it if he is in before me. Am a bit nervous but thanks to all the experienced slow cookers out there shall feel comforted that it will turn out ok.

Trouble with most ready made sauces, or ready made foods in general, they are all too spicy for us. OH has an awkward tummy and cant stand a hot spice. Cant find a sausage made anywhere that suits him. I dont remember them always being like that.

My lamb was delicious last night, really tasty.

B.C. no reason for you to apologise, I appreciated the recommendation! It was good to get that one first and show o.h. so he can see the size, now I can get the other one knowing I have persuaded him lol I will show my son the smaller one and see what he thinks, but as he likes to cook things and freeze portions he might be happier with the big one as well.

Got a small joint of beef on the go in mine.
Small amount of water and some red wine. Onions underneath,
Have got roast pots, parsnip and carrots with peas to go with it.
I now prefer to "roast" my beef this way as it doesn't seem to shrivel up so much.
SueB

I often use ready made mixes and sauces Mummo. I like the Spanish sauce I think it is by Homepride.