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***Bageleth*** · 04-26-2010, 01:39 PM

Does anyone still use one and if so, do you have a "must share" recipe?

I have one that my grandparents bought a Rival crock pot when I was about 4 and it was passed on to me when they bought a new one. It still works. I used it last Christmas to keep scrambled eggs warm for brunch, however I would like to try to actually cook with it. I thought that I would start with "baked" potatoes later on this week.

Entre Nous · (This post was last modified: 04-26-2010 03:53 PM by Entre Nous.)

I use mine a couple times per month. I'm still perfecting mac 'n' cheese, and I'll come back with a interesting link to a blog I found helpful.

I use the large oval pot for this, or I run out of room for veggies.

Pot Roast

Prep your veggies as usual ( carrots, potatoes, the usual...), put them in the crock pot first, on the bottom. Cover them with liquid, just to the top of the veggies. I use homemade french onion soup, because I tend to can a bunch of quarts when Walla Walla sweets are in season, but good beef stock works just as well.

Sear a 7 Bone roast on both sides and edges, put it on top of the veggies (it will keep them from floating), deglaze your pan and pour that liquid over the roast. It doesn't have to cover, and you should have an inch or so of headspace to avoid boilovers. Add a bay leaf or two.

I start this on high and let it come to temp while I'm getting ready for work then turn it to low when I leave. 8 or 9 hours later, it's dinner. I've tried this with different cuts, but the 7 Bone wins hands down, IMO. The connective tissue just melts away, but the meat retains it's texture, and is fork tender with great flavor.

The juice makes a good gravy base, and I've also diced up the leftovers, added rice or barley, and had soup for lunches.

Now I've made myself hungry LOL

This busy lady blogged about using her crock pot every day for a year.

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com

I found it an interesting read with lots of good recipes to try. I hope you do, too!

***Bageleth*** · 04-26-2010, 04:51 PM

That is a great website! That gal is serious about her crockpot if she's even making playdough in it!

Now I'm motivated to put an oval crockpot on my birthday/Christmas list!

Entre Nous · 04-26-2010, 05:28 PM

Yep! That playdough just cracked me up!

Corned beef does well in crock pots, too. I steam the cabbage, potatoes and other root veggies on the stove so they don't pick up the corning spices and salt.

I'm happy that crock pots are redeeming themselves from the 70's "swedish meatball" reputation. They're very economical to use, considering both cost of ingredients and electricity, and versatile, with a little practice. I'd like to use mine more, but I'm not disciplined enough to plan ahead. I have two: that oval, and a small round one (holds about a gallon or so). The small one is great for mulled wine, cider, hot chocolate...but I could do much more with it if I'd take the time to learn ;-)

I thought your idea of holding scrambled eggs was brilliant!

***Bageleth*** · 04-26-2010, 05:38 PM

Thanks! I had been hoping to buy one of those buffet warmers for the family brunch, but after Christmas shopping, the funding was lacking, and then I realized that the crockpot would work. I also used my rice cooker to keep the O'Brien potatoes warm.

I'm looking forward to trying some new recipes (if I can remember to start early enough in the day--if I have my coffee early enough) and hearing about your adventures!

**2Beers** · 04-26-2010, 05:40 PM

I make a cheesy hashbrown casserole in mine. It works great this works well when I do the big holiday dinners and need the oven space for turkey, lamb or....

***Bageleth*** · 04-26-2010, 05:41 PM

That sounds so good!

Entre Nous · 04-26-2010, 06:45 PM

(04-26-2010 05:41 PM)Bageleth Wrote: That sounds so good!

Seconded!

2Beers, I'd love to try your recipe!

ForceTen · 04-26-2010, 06:56 PM

My wife makes chicken noodle and other kinds of soup along with pot roast, chili, BBQ ribs, and other things (including failed experiments).

I'll see if I can get some recipes and post up.

***Bageleth*** · 04-26-2010, 10:42 PM

Hmmmm... failed experiments? My mother's cooking consisted of many "experiments". The last one that I knew of was a recipe that she found (in a cookbook that my future MIL gave me) of a stew or side dish, consisting of chopped carrots and prunes. My husband and I came home from work, saw the crock pot, checked the contents.............and decided to go out for dinner. For once she wasn't offended that we didn't stay to try it out. It must not have been that tasty as she never made it again.

I'm looking forward to trying some new, and delicious, recipes in the near future. I love soup!