tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post3445011939625264004..comments2024-03-26T00:14:00.509-07:00Comments on Crunchy Chicken: Frugal Foodies - Slow Cooker Beef StewUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-36323472834443135492011-09-26T06:53:27.773-07:002011-09-26T06:53:27.773-07:00My favorite slow cooker recipes come from "Fr...My favorite slow cooker recipes come from "Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker" by Robin Robertson. They are tasty and economical, and if you prefer, can easily be doctored up to add meat or stock. Good dessert options also.gracienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-51626477338332351042011-09-23T15:07:26.684-07:002011-09-23T15:07:26.684-07:00These 2 books by Beth Hensperger have had really g...These 2 books by Beth Hensperger have had really good reviews: 'Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook' & 'Not your Mother's Slow Cooker Family Favorites'. I got mine from the library but should add that I hate cooking — just love reading cookbooks — so I've only salivated over the recipes but not actually tried them.Karinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-68816465931431689282011-09-23T06:42:21.658-07:002011-09-23T06:42:21.658-07:00For us it's called "the back of the stove...For us it's called "the back of the stove", and is mostly seasonal. A very old practice, for anyone with a wood stove; the temperature of the stove top varies with the distance from the firebox; the "back" being mostly the coolest part, where there is little danger of making things boil so fast they boil over; or cook dry.<br /><br />Today's the Autumnal Equinox; and-Greenpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17224906349154302210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-30201451529254473622011-09-22T17:22:55.694-07:002011-09-22T17:22:55.694-07:00if using a crock pot, you absolutely have to brown...if using a crock pot, you absolutely <b>have</b> to brown many/all of your ingredients before starting the cooker because in cooking, so much of the flavor comes from the caramelization and slow cookers just don't get hot enough to produce much flavor on their own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-54067966011798616952011-09-22T12:09:26.086-07:002011-09-22T12:09:26.086-07:00We use both a slow cooker and a pressure cooker (w...We use both a slow cooker and a pressure cooker (which we call the "fast cooker") to get dinner on the table faster. We will prep the fast cooker the meals the night before (after the kids are asleep) so that the time from in the door to at the table is as short as possible.<br /><br />When we have a bit more time, we will make more involved things in the pressure cooker. Kimberly Gischehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12150686115976717837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-85808991883107878262011-09-22T10:11:53.725-07:002011-09-22T10:11:53.725-07:00What's nice is to do BBQ pork or a pot roast a...What's nice is to do BBQ pork or a pot roast and let it cook down, then you can reduce the sauce and serve it on buns or bread or however you want. Then you also have super tender, falling apart meat to put in fajitas (super quick), tacos (super quick), stir fries (if you prep your vegetables and keep them in baggies, this is quick).<br /><br />At least, that's what I usually do. Or Dea-chanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00140404243041621186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-35583301086920069492011-09-22T06:24:21.167-07:002011-09-22T06:24:21.167-07:00LOL. We must be on the same page. I made crock p...LOL. We must be on the same page. I made crock pot beef stew yesterday as well. Here's my recipe which uses V-8, but you could probably use an equal amount of tomato juice or canned tomatoes instead.<br /><br />1 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1" cubes<br />1 Tbsp butter<br />2 Cups beef broth<br />2 Cups V-8<br />2 medium carrots, chopped<br />2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed<br />1 Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14421150270049125967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-55807477801885229002011-09-22T05:49:35.574-07:002011-09-22T05:49:35.574-07:00I tried a Butternut squash in my slow cooker (with...I tried a Butternut squash in my slow cooker (with beans and some other things), and the squash was very good.<br /><br />I chopped the squash into rounds, and hacked off the skin. Then chunked the rest and put in the cooker.<br /><br />That lasted me a couple of meals as a side dish.Brad K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18378344866487206569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-36094567965429163142011-09-22T05:47:50.750-07:002011-09-22T05:47:50.750-07:00Except for when I'm just cooking beans in the ...Except for when I'm just cooking beans in the crock pot, I always brown my ingredients before putting them on for a long simmer. As you say, the flavor is very "meh" without this step. My suggestion for saving yourself cooking time with the slow cooker is to think about whatever comes out of it as a topping for something else, whether it's pasta, potatoes (boiled or mashed), Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.com