More Gloria... the reason I said water with seasonings, is just in case you didn't have stock on hand. When you think about it, stock is just liquid with a lot of flavour.
Having said that, I know I gave you many choices to thicken your amalgamation, but if I were to narrow things down, my favs. would be to use the stock, tomatoe paste, sweet potatoes with skin peeled, (only because it comes off so easily and would be floating around in your meal) + a hint of cinnamon, and mushrooms. And this little additive is JUST in case you have some extra cash... sherry. Sherry with mushrooms is such a delicious combination. You only need a little bit. Would just be for flavour. Once a dish goes to a boil point, the alcohol burns off for those you are concerned with having it. I know the calories are another concern. Just use a tablespoon or so. In a big crockpot with that little amount, would mean next to nothing. But you can always calculate it here on this site what it would be to consume.
NSG
Edited by: NEWSPARKGAL at: 11/18/2009 (17:48)
NEWSPARKGAL
Posts: 12 11/18/09 4:52 P
You're welcome, Magda and Gloria! I just thought of another produce item that absorbs moisture... eggplant. I'm not a super crazy lover of it, but I don't mind it sometimes, depending on seasonings, etc. I just know you needed volume for your situation, so adding liquid is the best way. And I knew if you didn't want that rather 'soup' consistency, then there are ingredients you could add to create the texture you want. I hope you have a super incredible meal with your wonderfully-sized crockpot!!
NSG
Edited by: NEWSPARKGAL at: 11/18/2009 (16:54)
MAGDAMORALES
SparkPoints: (12,062)
Fitness Minutes: (10,779)
Posts: 420 11/18/09 3:35 P
THAT IS A VERY GOOD IDEA NSG. I AM GOING TO TRY IT TOO.
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GLORIAB73
SparkPoints: (16,765)
Fitness Minutes: (4,645)
Posts: 4,857 11/18/09 3:31 P
Thank you NSG, that's a good option!
Gloria ~~ Ontario, Canada
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine
I would put more stock (or water with seasonings) in the crockpot. Then what you're cooking, could be more of a soup. Would create at least more volume for you. If you didn't like that "soup" consistency, there are still ways of thickening it. You can always put in tomatoe paste (which I love), or some pasta noodles or a few extra potatoes, or even sweet potatoes. Maybe even mushrooms? They soak up moisture as well. I'm not a crazy bean lover, but that is always an option for thickening as well. Extra rice is another option. I hope this helps.
NSG
GLORIAB73
SparkPoints: (16,765)
Fitness Minutes: (4,645)
Posts: 4,857 11/18/09 12:19 P
I have a 5 qt crock pot that is WAY to big for one person :-) What do I do with the regular recipes I come across, cut the ingredients in half or what? Anyone have experience in this? I've tried several recipes and the ingredients only come a wee way up my pot and cook too quickly, dry out, etc. I'd really like to know what to do about this. Maybe the answer is a smaller crock pot :-)
Gloria ~~ Ontario, Canada
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine
That sounds soooooo good, Irie. I need to ask though, what is G. Washington brown seasoning? I'm from Canada. I don't recall seeing that anywhere.
BOUDICA26
Posts: 242 11/17/09 4:16 P
crockpot "lasagna" --
Pour some sauce in the bottom with a little water. Layer cheese ravioli. Create another layer with any or all of the following: sausage, soy sausage, hamburger, soy burger, chicken, red and green peppers, spinach, onions, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, etc.. Top with more sauce. Repeat again, top with mozzeralla cheese.
DIVORCE: When you need a man like you need a third boob!
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K-BOBO
Posts: 593 11/14/09 3:56 P
there is ablog i checkout for crockpot recipes, and i just got a recipe im trying out tonight , for orange chicken, if you have particular meat you want to use shoot me an email and ill give you some info on it !
And you know? Anytime I want to brown up ground beef, I toss it in the crock pot, crumble it up with my spatula, and let it cook. Stir often, and it will brown up nice, you can drain off the fat easily and go. I like this way better than frying the meat in a pan on my stove top. Cleaner, easier, and you don't have to stand there and monitor it.
Life is Good
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CATHYP9
Posts: 201 11/12/09 9:53 P
my favorite trick in slow cooker is to use low sodium canned tomatoes and meat with seasoning you can always count on this base to make a good meal
IRIE_KEY
Posts: 796 11/11/09 7:47 A
My favorite crockpot recipe is for a beef and mushroom stew - just chop and drop into pot.. Use an inexpensive cut of lean beef cut into cubes. Chop one large sweet onion. I love Vidalias. If you like mushrooms - add sliced fresh mushrooms. Baby portabellas are my favorite. Add a good splash of balsamic vinegar one can undiluted low sodium cream of mushroom soup 1 envelope low sodium onion soup mix dry. 1 envelope G. Washington brown seasoning turn pot on high for one hour, then turn to low for 6-8 hours. Serve over pasta, potatoes, rice or mashed cauliflower.
It's not what I did, but what I do next that sets the course for success.
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LVMOMOFTWO
Posts: 190 11/11/09 12:56 A
I didnt realize you could put frozen boneless chicken in a crockpot. I thought it had to be defrosted first??? any good suggestions for a fall apart chicken using frozen chicken breasts?
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JESSYBLU
Posts: 72 10/27/09 3:38 P
does anyone know if you can make carne adovado in a crock pot. My husband is extremely Hispanic (wants his home made tortillas & beans etc at every meal) and every recipe I've found for it say to slow cook forever in the oven -- a crock pot should work right??
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MAMA2CHLOE
SparkPoints: (13,076)
Fitness Minutes: (5,859)
Posts: 485 10/12/09 9:48 P
I use a 2 quart and it cooks a lot faster than the big ones. I got a 2 quart cuz of the same problem u mentioned, JJ. I also am experimenting so I didn't want loads of leftovers. I do think I will invest in a bigger one soon, though, when I start batch cooking and freezing leftovers for later meals.
Leslie
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JJ-PDX
Posts: 13 10/12/09 9:02 P
can we talk about crock pot size??? I love to cook and have used my 2-quart crock several times a year.... It's just me and 2 kids. I serve normal portions and we don't care for left overs. I find that the larger crocks over cook and/or dry out what I'm cooking. Someone once told me to add more liquid, but what do you all think? I could buy a smaller crock.
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ROBIN213
Posts: 104 10/12/09 3:42 P
Just about any soup/stew recipe can go in there. You usually need less liquid then.
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CANES71
Posts: 5 10/8/09 2:10 P
There are so many things you can do in the crockpot, but two of my favorites are baked potatoes and meatloaf.
For baked potatoes, wash potatoes and wrap in aluminum foil. Place in the crockpot and cook all day on low. They come out tasting like you baked them in the oven without the trouble of actually doing that!
For meatloaf, you can mix it however you normally would. I personally use oatmeal, a little bit of seasoned breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup and a package of onion soup mix. For it into a loaf that will fit in your crockpot without touching the sides. Once it's in the crockpot, add some more ketchup to the top and cook on low all day.
Before using your crockpot I recommend purchasing some crockpot liners as these make clean up soooo much easier.
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CRAZYPROUD
Posts: 737 10/8/09 12:01 P
I love my crock pot too... one of my favorite ways of using it is to start with a roast (we do bison a lot)put it in in the morning with some liquid, broth or water. We add garlic and a lot of onions as well. That night have some roast with onions and a salad or other veggies on the side. Before you put the roast away slice off enough meat for sandwiches for lunch the next days. Add onions to your sandwich if you like. Cut the remainder of the roast into bite size pieces. For the next evening add more broth, the remainder of the onions and a variety of veggies and you will have some nice soup waiting for you in the evening. Also, I like to use dried veggies for crock pot soup. They hold up well in the long cooking time.
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AGGIEANGELA
Posts: 1,180 9/22/09 2:46 P
I use my crockpot a lot. Many days, if I don't have something planned for dinner, I throw some frozen chicken (tenders or breasts) into the crockpot before I leave the house and set it on low. I either add some spinach, some water, some salsa, some canned soup, anything to give it a little moisture. When I come home, if the chicken is falling apart, we make chikcen tacos or I mix it with pasta for...well, whatever you would call that. If it's still in good size pieces, I'll make some pasta or rice and have chicken as a side dish to a big serving of steamed veggies.
I also love making pot roast because you can buy the cheapest cut of meat, trim it, then drop it in with some water, potatoes and carrots and have a yummy meal when you get home.
Almost any meat in the crockpot will be delish if you leave it long enough. But like a PP said, don't open the lid!
Oh, crockpots are also good for making beans. Buy some dried beans, sort and rinse, then put in the pot with about 2x the water as beans. Add some seasonings, some turkey sausage if you like, and in a few hours, you'll have a nice warm pot of beans.
My only suggestion...cooking times will be reduced GREATLY by using a smaller cooker. Most recipes I have are for 5-6 quart cookers so my 2 quart and my 3 quart each have to have the time adjusted to turn out right. HTH!
~!*Angela*!~
Co-Leader of the "Living Healthy in our 20's" SparkTeam
"I run not to add days to my life but to add life to my days!"
FYI: I have weird filters on my computer so I often can't see the same things other people can--please excuse me if I ask for more detailed information about pictures and links! There are just certain things I can't click on or see because of the filters and firewalls I'm behind. ):
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SUPERSNAZZ
Posts: 1,100 9/22/09 2:41 P
- chili - stews (with meat or strictly vegetable) - soups - roasts
slow cookers are kind of magical in this respect: just throw whatever you have on hand in, season, and let it cook. I've never had anything turn out badly when cooked in a slow cooker.
HALLUCINATING
Posts: 4,255 9/22/09 9:33 A
Try the cowboy chicken from spark recipes. Its really easy and really good.
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MAMA2CHLOE
SparkPoints: (13,076)
Fitness Minutes: (5,859)
Posts: 485 9/19/09 10:32 P
Thanks!
Leslie
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SUEJENN
Posts: 509 9/19/09 7:07 P
I sent a cookbook to my nephew when he set up his own apartment. Each recipe used only 5 ingredients. There is a new show on The Food Channel starting on Monday. Every recipe has five ingredients. It is called- 5 Ingredient Mix
Suck it up Paulie. (A family joke that keeps us going
SAMMYLYNNE
SparkPoints: (11,153)
Fitness Minutes: (4,800)
Posts: 734 9/19/09 3:25 P
You can make just about anything in a crock pot. It is really good for making stew. Put in a cheap cut of beef or pork, cubed of course and any vegetable you like. Season to your taste, put the lid on and walk away. Secret: "do not lift the lid until the time is up." Otherwise it will be tasteless. Had it happen to me.
Love is not finding someone to live with; It's about finding someone you can't live without.
Goal: Not to set my bar to high.
You will never find peace, Until you find all the pieces.
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DSPTCHR531
Posts: 93 9/19/09 5:48 A
Put any lean frozen meat in your pot in the morning. I use pork chops, pork steak, or chicken. Mix 1 envelope brown gravy mix, 1 can cream of mushroom soup. Pour over top of meat. Turn on high for lunch, low for dinner. You can add veggies, potatos, etc.
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MAMA2CHLOE
SparkPoints: (13,076)
Fitness Minutes: (5,859)
Posts: 485 9/18/09 2:42 P
I am looking for some very easy things to cook in a 2 quart slow cooker. I am not much of a cook so nothing complex.
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