I'd been using the crock-pot during the winter a lot for soups and traditional crock-pot type of things, but lately I've been using it as a defroster/precooker. It's so simple and has saved quite a bit of time and hassle! Here are some examples of what I've been doing:- Ground beef can be put in frozen (in the morning), set temp to low, chop it up occassionally. Drain. Add spaghetti sauce and herbs and let simmer. It's a great and easy way to have a flavorful sauce. (I also sometimes add Italian Sausage for even more zest.)
- Put 3-4 frozen chicken breasts in the pot and let cook on low for 3-4 hours. They won't be completely cooked through, but they're at a great stage to be seasoned and they won't end up dry during the final cooking stage. Slice the chicken into thin strips and sautee in a little olive oil. Actually, I had sauteed some onions, red and yellow peppers, and mushrooms in the olive oil first. Removed those from the pan and added the chicken to quickly finish cooking it, and then served them all together with some angel hair pasta and a light alfredo sauce. Very easy, very quick.
- A whole chicken is sometimes a pain to deal with, but I've been getting these more often and cooking the whole thing in the pot (again, on low). The meat will just fall off the bones when it's done and the chicken can be used in so many different ways. The other night I seasoned it with spices and let it simmer in a sauce with diced tomatoes and chilis for taco salads (fresh mex style). Last night I used it for another pasta dish. You could even eat it as is, or in sandwiches.
I'm sure there are plenty of other ideas and uses, and if you have any I'd love to hear!
12 comments:
Crock pot as a defroster. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
I love my crockpot. I use it 2-3 nights a week. Have you ever tried the slow cooker liners? I don't use them every time, but they're awesome because it makes clean up that much easier!
great ideas love it!!!
funny i just happen to be using mine today! I was trying a new recepie taht calls for a dutch oven, but i don't have one, been meaning to buy one from iKEA CHEAP one...compared to the french one i love and want! any how...that is another story, but at the end, finished transferring everything to the crock pot....because my carrots were still not cooked, but it is looking promissing...I am doing an osso boco, something like that, veal something...I will have to tell you afterwards if it is something to do....it smells good! i often cook pinto beans in it!
Oh such good ideas!! I am excited, this brings my culinary skills to a whole new level.
I had not thought of defrosting meat in the crock pot. Thanks for the idea. I do like to use the crock pot if I am thinking ahead!
These are great ideas. I really should become one with my crock pot because I'm much more likely to feel like making dinner in the morning than I am in the evenings. I NEVER want to make dinner at dinner time, I just want it to appear.
YOU ARE BRILLIANT.
I bookmarked this post for referral.
I throw a huge batch of chicken in mine, usually at the beginning of the week, and cook it with some sort of basic flavoring ingredient. I don't use it that night; I let it cool, shred it & freeze it for later when I need chicken as an ingredient. You would be amazed how often you use it & how simple it makes recipes...like enchiladas, etc.
Haven't done this in a while, though, because chicken makes me GAG when I'm pregnant.
I'm pretty much sticking to the basic food group of...Cocoa Krispies :)
I've used the crockpot for frozen chicken breasts, but not frozen ground beef. Why didn't that occur to me?
The crockpot is a must for a busy family!
I can't wait to cook a whole chicken in mine! I have several recipes that I love that call for cooked & diced/shredded chicken that I avoid because I don't plan ahead and cook the chicken before and you can't get it all done in the evening and still plan to put dinner on the table.
I don't use the crockpot nearly enough. It makes things so much easier. I love the ideas you gave, they all sound so delicious!
BTW, I hope your back is feeling better
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