Farmhouse Kitchen-My Slow Cooker Adventures
I had a bit of a foray into using a slow cooker when I first moved in with Hubster. I enjoyed making meals in a morning before work and knowing tea was ready when I got in.
Something wasn’t quite right though and the food always tasted a bit funny. I can’t put my finger on why but it was never a success and, when we moved to the farm, I donated the slow cooker to the farm dogs who like a large bowl.
Then, more recently, my friend and fellow blogger, LeeLeeLoves was raving to me about how her slow cooker has changed her life so I thought to myself, I need a but if a life change too.
As it happens, I took part in a blog collaboration with CrockPot and I got my slow cooker to review.
I must say, it really has changed my life and some weeks, I use it every single day.
The thing I cook most in it is joints of lamb. I kick myself that I never tried this before but it really is the easiest way to cook lamb.
Shoulder, leg, chops-you name it. For the joints, I usually just pop it in with a twig of rosemary and leave it.
I have been known to add a glug of red wine though and, if I’m feeling really adventurous, I spread some red currant jelly on the meat before I switch it on.
My rule is 20 minutes on high while I make breakfast then cook on slow all day until about 4pm when I take the children’s portions out to allow them to cool and leave the rest on warm for when Hubster comes in.
The journey with lamb doesn’t stop there. The day after a joint sees me usually use the slow cooker again to make a lamb curry. I can’t believe I haven’t tried it more before.
Other favourites are:
Moroccan lamb, sweet and sour pork, bolognaise sauce, pork stew and beef and mushroom stew.
I know there are endless recipes for slow cookers and I am sure I will try them in time but I thought I would share with you my latest ones above.
I just wish I got a Crock Pot all those years ago because I thoroughly blame the cheap version on the food tasting funny.
It really has made my life easier.
I know exactly what you mean. (By the way I adore your website which I just looked up from a web site of 90 fav food blogs of which yours was a fav in the family category. ) My early crock pot always made the food taste odd. I never siad this to friends who were always raving on and on about how fab they thought the slow cooker is. Now I have discovered I can make a truly delicious Italian ragu (my secret family recipe) and it does taste just as divine as when I made it in a heavy dutch oven. However, I never once thought it might be the quality of the slow cooker. Thanks for that insight.