Slow Cooking

With the hot weather of summer, who feels like cooking?  To be honest, do I ever feel like cooking?  The answer is rarely and I just don't have the time to make a "real" meal after working all day.  (But your husband is at home and he could make dinner!   Ummm...well that hasn't happened on a regular basis.  He does cook, just not nightly.)  I've been trying to think of ways to make easy meals that are somewhat nutritious.

 In the past, there have been times where I've made a corned beef (stove top) before the day got too hot.  I'd start and my husband would finish up.  As good as that is, every time I make this I end up with water spillage and a messy pot.

 More recently (when it was not too hot) I thought I could get a couple of meals and save some money by making pulled pork in the over.  I started the pork shoulder early in the morning and my husband finished it.  (And cleaned it up.) While it was more cost effective than buying pre-made (which I have done in the past), my husband said it was quite messy (ok, he used more interesting language than that, which I'm not going to print here).To be honest, I wasn't thrilled with having the oven on that long.

So my mind has been mulling over the purchase of a slow cooker/crock pot.  I had one a LONG time ago, but it was 2nd hand and rather small.  If I recall correctly, I used it twice and my husband wasn't too thrilled with the results.  It was also a bitch to clean.

 From what I've seen, newer models are available in a variety of sizes (and shapes) and some have a removable "crock" that can be cleaned in the dishwasher.  But I have no real experience with slow cooking.

 While I've done my due diligence and reading, I thought perhaps it was time to turn to you elite few who read this blog.  Anyone out there have a slow cooker?  Pros and Cons of use?  Favorite recipes to cook in a slower cooker?  (Is there anything out there you CAN"T slow cook?)  I don't think I need one with all the bells and whistles, but maybe I'm wrong.  Or at least maybe I can be convinced.  (If someone has a good argument that is.)  Has anyone out there bought one and then found that they just left it on the shelf and never used it.  (That would be my blender.)  I need real life advice from real people (not just reviews on a website).

 Help me slow cook!  (Or stop me from slow cooking if you think it is a mistake!)

Comments

  1. Queen of DishingJuly 11, 2017 at 8:56 AM

    Oh wow, I have 3. (Yeah I know) but yes I love mine for quite a lot of things. I'm headed to some meetings so I can chat more with you later but I have a large oval one with a removable crock and I also NEVER cook without a disposable crock pot liner (they come in a 4 pack in the section of the grocery store with the oven cooking bags and zip lock bags.) Makes clean up a snap. I do things like turkey breast (ok this won't work for you but still) and potatoes, pot roast, pork shoulder, italian beef sandwiches, queso dip with meat in it to scoop into tortillas. I'll look at the brand of my biggest one when I get home and maybe you can find one on Prime Day that is a good deal? I would recommend it over a Insta Pot.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SkywiseJuly 11, 2017 at 12:47 PM

    get liners for the crock pot- some chicken, etc.. bbq sauce... put the chicken in the crock pot along w/ the bbq sauce, set on low for about 6-8 hrs.... separate chicken with fork.. pulled chicken bbq sandwiches... . works w/ pork too.. great stuff, the slow cooker, when done right recipe wise. liners make cleanup a breeze

    ReplyDelete
  3. Virginia CitranoJuly 13, 2017 at 12:30 PM

    Tracy did slow cooker recipes for MyVeronaNJ for several years. You can find all of theme here: http://www.myveronanj.com/tag/crock-it/

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Have Taken America Back

Image
Back to a time when all men (and women) are not created equal.  Where women's healthcare is determined by men's laws and not by medical professionals. Where education tells only the "winning" side of the story and truth does not matter.  Where banning and burning books is a social event.  Where people who are "different" than those in power can be mocked, shunned and hurt with no real consequences. Where lies are acceptable and integrity is  just a word on a page We have moved into a time where rage is the rage.  Where hate is not just normal, but accepted and even cheered. Where leaders can ask to have their "enemies" killed and no one will bat an eye.  Where it's "funny" to see someone struggle.  Where felony is applauded. Where compassion is not shown and caring for others is looked down upon. We have taken America back to a time of pain and suffering for many.  Back to when the "haves" can have and the have nots don'...
Read more

It's Not About Starbucks (or is it)?

Image
  About a block and a half from my home in a major intersection.  At the southeast corner (which is nearest to me), is an empty building.  Back in 1995 it was a Bank of NY (I remember this because they didn't shovel/de-ice their parking lot well and my husband fell and broke his ankle one Monday morning.  I recall this clearly because we were not yet married and it was the first day of a new job for me.  I had gotten on the bus to work and he was catching a later one; only he never got there.  Instead he ended up laying on the ground until an employee came to open up the bank.  Then he had them call an ambulance AND my mother who took control of the situation until I arrived home that night blissfully unaware of what had happened that day.)  It eventually became a Chase Bank; the second one in my small little town.  It eventually closed.  I'm not sure when but it's been empty for quite a long time.  (I do know that it was open in 20...
Read more

As Is

Image
  Today I want to discuss what I think it is a relatively simple concept, but may be difficult for some, even an attorney who might have once, over a decade ago won a  prestigious award  for young lawyers .  That term is "AS IS." As you may know, I volunteer in a thrift shop.  Everything we sell, from all the donations we receive, is "as is."  The items are not brand new.  They are not perfect.  That doesn't mean they aren't any good or worth something. They are sold "as is."  Buyers should go in knowing that. (After all you are shopping in a thrift shop!)  In some cases, particularly when we are offering higher end products, we will actually write on the price tag, "as is." Such is the case of two designer purses that I purchased from there this summer.  (I'm a purse-aholic!  Don't look in my closet.)  They were reasonably priced (especially when you consider the name brand), but each had an "as is" clearly marked o...
Read more