Yesterday morning we were running a little late—but still managed to fix dinner before rushing out the door. It took 30 seconds and we don't know why we didn't think of it sooner. And as we were en route to the office, we realized not only was it saving us time, but it was also saving us space in the kitchen and energy. Whoa.
Yep, this miracle device is none other than a slow cooker (aka, Crock Pot). For a while, we considered it a space hog, just another something we had to squeeze in the cabinets, and not a likely contender for "best small space gadget." But hear us out.
Most slow cooker meals are one-pot meals, which means there's less to get dirty (and less to clean because of it). So if you're low on counter space, as we're soon to be when we move, then slow cooker meals do in fact make sense.
And they happen to be green because of the low-and-slow method. They use a very small amount of energy to cook something all day. According to Planet Green, the slow cooker is one of the most energy-efficient kitchen appliances.
Don't be afraid to use the slow cooker as the weather warms up, either; if it cooks while you're gone all day, you'll be spending less time in a hot kitchen anyway!
Can we just mention one more great and green reason to use this appliance? If yours makes more than you can eat in one meal, then refrigerate or freeze the leftovers like we did (the extra black beans we made yesterday went straight to the freezer for next week's casserole).
Convinced yet that a slow cooker is an excellent small-space and green appliance?
(Image: Flickr member love janine, licensed under Creative Commons.)
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I love my slow cooker! I'd love to see some great recipes...
I'm a huge slow cooker fan, but like others have said, not enough recipes out there! I've had to resort to a 70's cookbook that is heavy handed on the salt. Would love to see more options!
I don't have a slow cooker, but I almost adopted one on a recent trip to Goodwill to find a gym-style bag to upcycle and fit my gym needs. Anyway, Goodwill had slow cookers as does your local craigslist supply, I imagine.
I love mine, especially in the hot Florida summers! I can prep the night before and place the ceramic dish in the fridge, then put it in the pot in the morning before heading out to work. And for those not opposed, Reynolds makes slow cooker liners which make cleanup quick (although not the most environmentally friendly product).
For slow cooker recipes, try
Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker by Robin Robertson (
http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Vegetarian-Slow-Cooker-Recipes/dp/1558322558/ref=sr_1_1ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271207494&sr=1-1)
Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker by Hensperger and Kaufmann (http://www.amazon.com/Your-Mothers-Slow-Cooker-Cookbook/dp/1558322442/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271207536&sr=1-1)
A Year of Slow Cooking (the blog) (http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/) and Make It Fast, Cook It Slow (the book) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401310044?ie=UTF8&tag=totatogejour-)
I totally just used one for the first time yesterday to make boeuf bourguignon. I bought the same one in the photo, but in red — I think the beef cost more than the crock pot did.
I adore my slow cooker...though it tortures my dog all day! We named it the "puppy torture device" after spending a day watching the dog watch the crock pot full of beef roast. She hardly moved for six hours!
One comment in regards to selecting a slow-cooker: Avoid digital models, get the ol' twist-the-knob-to-set type.
I had 5lb pork butt in mine the other day that I started about 8AM. While I was at work, my server at home notified me the power had failed for about 35 seconds around 9:30AM. Got home around 6PM, crock pot was off. I dunno about anyone else, but *I'm* not going to eat a chunk of meat that's been sitting at room temperature for over 8 hours. Had that been a manual twist-knob type, I'd have been able to have some tasty shredded pork BBQ sandwiches for dinner. As it was, it ended up being a South Beach Meal Replacement Bar -- tasty, but it's no BBQ.
There is information out there to suggest that slow cookers use MORE energy than a standard oven. Is credible since slow cookers are poorly insulated and run at constant [albeit low] wattage and a traditional oven is better insulated and cycles on-and-off through its cooking cycle.
http://www.healthycookingrecipes.com/crockpotrecipes/crockpotcooking.htm
I am usually too tired and stressed in the morning to think about browning meats and getting dinner squared away. I finally gave up on the slow cooker and started using my pressure cooker. I like it because I can decide on my way home from work or school what we are going to eat, stop by the store to pick up any last minute provisions, and have pot roast with all the trimmings on the table in 45 minutes, or potato-leek soup in 20 minutes. I'm really a fly by the seat of my pants cook, so it works for me.
I would love to know what you prepared for dinner that only took 30 seconds prep time though. I don't think I can make a pb&j sandwich in 30 seconds.
I have an 11 month old boy, and while I love cooking, I had to make the unfortunate decision to give it up during the week as me and my (working) wife just didn't have the time.
So this past weekend we did our first attempt at making two crock pot recipes to eat over the course of the week, and it's worked wonderfully.
However, with it getting warmer, I'd love to see some summer slow-cooker recipe. There are tons of soups and stews for cold winter months, but I don't know if I could handle eating those in 90 degree weather.
The Healthy Slow Cooker by Judith Finlayson has really delicious, sane (!) recipes!
http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Slow-Cooker-Judith-Finlayson/dp/0778801330/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271253718&sr=8-1
I love my slow cooker, but I use it most often to make stock, chili or soup, and to cook dried beans. Many of the meals I've made in the crock haven't been that fantastic, but it's great for roasts and such. It's definitely a weeknight saver -- love coming home to a ready cooked meal.
I have the Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker book and it's great. It really is great to come home and smell dinner as you walk in the door. I heart our slow cooker!
One problem I have is that if you're not doing meat, then it's only good for beans and grains. Vegetables cooked this way just turn to mush. Maybe I'll check out some of the recipes though. Or maybe just try to keep it mind for next fall/winter when I don't mind eating bean-veggie mush for months.
I love my slowcooker, but I have one of the old kinds without the removable insert. I HATE TO USE IT! I tried using crockpot liners, but they leak and make the food taste funny :(
I love the slow cooker when I can find a non-bland recipe. It's really hard sometimes. I've perused through several "modern" slower cooker books and it's hard to find something that will turn out well. I've had better luck searching online for a recipe here or there to try.
I do not recommend the Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker book. I checked several of her books out from the library to test before buying. I tried at least 5-6 recipes from each book and they all turned out as one bland mess. It's one of those books where the ingredient list looks compelling, but it ends up tasting like nothing.
I'm on the waiting list at the library for The Italian Slow Cooker, which I've heard good things about!
I think slow cookers are definitely best for meats, grains and beans. For me, the slow cooker isn't a wonder appliance that can make anything, but it does come in handy for certain foods.
I add things like fresh herbs, vinegar, citrus juice, sherry, etc. at the end of cooking, to perk up the flavor.
I just happened to use my slow cooker this morning! I put the removable crock filled with chopped onion, garlic, bay leaves, seasoning and brisket in the fridge last night. This morning, I put it in the heating element, added water and turned it on. 4 hours later, here I am having lunch of shredded beef with lime and avocado.
Note to those looking for recipes: almost any oven or stove top recipe that requires simmering can be adapted to a crock pot. Most Crockpots cook at about 325* on high, so just adjust cooking time for baked items. My roommate and I use the crockpot all the time and find it is one of the few things that allows us to eat real meals after a long day at work.
Suggested recipes for warmer weather: any baked pasta (pasta Alfredo is a popular one with us) or casserole dish (tamale pie and enchiladas are always good), rice pilafs (on low so they don't burn), also great for "ethnic" foods like tandooris and other long-cooking recipes.
Ditto on the summer recipes. I tend to use my slow cooker for comfort foods. I also tend to use it for mostly meat dishes. I prefer crispy veggies to ones that have been stewing all day.
I have (and use) The Gourmet Slow Cooker and The Gourmet Slow Cooker vol. 2, by Lynn Alley. Volume 1 focuses on global cuisine - Italian Pot Roast is my family's favorite, served over polenta. The second volume focuses on regional American cuisine - there's a Wild Rice and Black Walnut Pilaf that is very tasty.
We LOVE our slow cooker.
I too recommend trolling around at the Year of Slow Cooking blog (you will see you can also buy her book if you like that format), because she reviews the results and you can get a sense of whether certain dishes would be to your taste.
We are high-flavor people and don't care for bland - if you are a non-bland chef outside of the cooker then you can be one in it if you know what you're doing. Currently our favorite dishes are a Chicken Makhani (anything but bland!) and a Pork Chile Verde. Making the Makhani today in fact!
Couple notes:
You don't have to cook the heck out of things. I tend to use our crock on the weekends, when I don't have to leave anything unattended for 8 hours. That way I have more control over the results and I can start the process at lunchtime instead of in a morning rush. I use the cook on high for 4 hours baseline, modified as needed.
I have done "roasted" veggie medleys with my favorite mix of root and other vegetables that didn't come out as "mush" at all. Just as with anything, you don't want to cook any dish too long. Use recipes, but get to know your cooker so you have a sense of how it behaves and adjust cooking times accordingly.
I've found it interesting that these cookers have come back into fashion recently - definitely do get the type that has a removable crock, and note that some newer brands are notorious for running rather high in temperature. Do some research before you buy.
i'm looking for more ways to utilize my (small) kitchen. a slow cooker sounds good in theory, but i can't imagine getting much use out of it. i'm not a huge meat eater and how much beans and rice can one person eat? i've heard that some good indian dishes can be made in a slow cooker, which may be a redeeming factor. idk. need to see a few recipes before i'm sold.