2011 - The Year of the Slow Cooker!!

[Chicky Pea]

As the title suggests, I have just dubbed 2011, The Year of the Slow Cooker! The fact that it's already freezing down here in Melbourne, and the fact that I am SO over having to perfectly time cooking our dinner with DD's dinner, bath, bottle etc. has convinced me it's the right time to get one! I came really close to buying one last year but didn't go for it and I remember A LOT of BH mummies were totally mad for their slow cookers, so what better place to go to for some advice!?

Ok. I have found they really range in price so what features should I look for? What are some good brands and how much should I spend to get a decent one?

And recipes... hit me with them! DD is 10 months old (tomorrow!) and so hoping to cook some meals that she can eat as well, as I'm over cooking separate meals for her. She eats everything so I'm looking forward to cutting cooking time in half.

Thanks ladies!!

[Misschief]

Any slowcooker will do. I have a 5 liter TEFAL that I bought at Hardly Normal for $30,- on the "end of financial year sales".
Its good. I love it. I bought it and left it in the garage for months and months and then one day I just thought I;d bring it out and have a closer look at it.
I made something with chicken and it was dry as a bone. Bit disappointing for my first experience. So then I made Italian beef and it was yummmmmm!
Every slowcooker is different though. One cooker has a different temperature on low and high, than the other.

Internet is the key for recipes.
On Facebook there's a page where there are lots and lots of recipes being shared by people. Cant remember what its called, will have to look it up.
Plus you can buy slowcooker cookbooks everywhere these days for just a few bucks. Woolies, Coles, Big W, Target, etc have a fair few different books.

You can also buy sachets from Masterfoods, Dolmio's and Maggi at the supermarket and just add the ingredients that are written on the back.

[Chicky Pea]

Thanks for all of that info Misschief! That's exactly the info I need to know...

[Just*Ace]

My fave things in the slow cooler are:
Lasagna - just make as normal, leave on low for 6 hours.
Curried chicken - got this from the bubhub slowcooker meal thread. Can't remember exact amounts but it's basically chicken breasts with curry powder, mayonaise, cream of chicken soup & breadcrumbs poured over and left on low for 8 hours.
Meatloaf - another bubhub one! Mince, onion, egg, breadcrumbs made in a load shape and pour over ketchup, worstershire sauce, BBQ sauce and brown sugar.

These are my faves, but I also love pork chops cooked in there with some stock, or anything chicken as it comes out so tender!

[nicoleE]

Just subscribing!
I've been thinking of getting one to, I'm a vegetarian but DH and kids aren't so I'm over meal times to (and I'm not the best cook)! Ive seen double slow cookers around but rarely, thought one would be good for us to do same meal for all but with vego alternatives in one side...?

[Chicky Pea]

My fave things in the slow cooler are:
Lasagna - just make as normal, leave on low for 6 hours.
Curried chicken - got this from the bubhub slowcooker meal thread. Can't remember exact amounts but it's basically chicken breasts with curry powder, mayonaise, cream of chicken soup & breadcrumbs poured over and left on low for 8 hours.
Meatloaf - another bubhub one! Mince, onion, egg, breadcrumbs made in a load shape and pour over ketchup, worstershire sauce, BBQ sauce and brown sugar.

These are my faves, but I also love pork chops cooked in there with some stock, or anything chicken as it comes out so tender!

I didn't realise there was a BH slow cooker thread! Thanks so much, will go and track it down...

[Misschief]

Haha, I didn't know there was one on BH either. Im off to have a sticky beak!

[bellalika]

Just*ace: do you mean the meat or the whole layered thing?

[mumofjaxs]

My fave things in the slow cooler are:
Lasagna - just make as normal, leave on low for 6 hours.
Curried chicken - got this from the bubhub slowcooker meal thread. Can't remember exact amounts but it's basically chicken breasts with curry powder, mayonaise, cream of chicken soup & breadcrumbs poured over and left on low for 8 hours.
Meatloaf - another bubhub one! Mince, onion, egg, breadcrumbs made in a load shape and pour over ketchup, worstershire sauce, BBQ sauce and brown sugar.

These are my faves, but I also love pork chops cooked in there with some stock, or anything chicken as it comes out so tender!

Can you give me an idea how much mayonaise and breadcrumbs to use? When I look the recipe up it just has boxes there instead of amount. Thanks

[Chicky Pea]

Found the link to the BH slow cooker section if anyone is interested...

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/f...ad.php?t=87138

Wow! SO many recipes.....! Cant wait to try them out.... have fun cooking!