Crock-pot cooking

Help!

Feb. 17th, 2010 at 12:52 PM

My aunt is having her first baby and I'm going to stay with her for 2 weeks to give her company while she recovers from her C- section, and to just generally lend a hand. I also want to leave her a crock-pot and a little booklet of recipes for after I leave, so she can learn the wonders of cooking with a crock-pot and how much help I'm sure it will be for them.

Do you have any suggestions for a good first crock-pot to buy? She lives in a small apartment and there's only her and her husband and soon to be baby Girl. I am unemployed so something not too expensive would be great! Also if you have any favorite recipes for meals that can be made vegetarian and turned carnivore- friendly that would be awesome as well, as she doesn't eat meat but her husband (and I) do!

Thanks so much for any help!

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sandyurbahns wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 01:19 am (UTC)

I've owned several crock pots over the years. The last one I bought I wish that I had access to a lot earlier it's a Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker 3 in One. It comes with a 2 qt; 4 qt; and a believe a 6 qt insert crocks. They all fit on the one base and use the same glass lid. You tell it what size you are using. It cooks low, high and has a warm setting. I've used all three sizes with just my husband and myself. I find the 4 qt the most helpful for roasts, chicken etc. and the 6 at is great for soups and stews. I've also used the two quart for warming and serving dips etc. I'm sure others will recommend other crock pots but this one is the nicest I've had in a long time and it fits all my needs.

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fluffy_goddess wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 04:29 am (UTC)

Seconding this. I use all three sizes of mine for different things, and the only thing I haven't liked about it is the packaging. (Since I knew I'd be moving I kept the original packing materials, but when the time came I couldn't get the crocks back in correctly and ended up packing it with towels instead.) Needless to say, that's not a big deal. :)

It's not the absolute cheapest crock on the market, but it's well worth the price, and if you're in a largish city you can probably find it on sale somewhere. I got mine half price from the hardware store.

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gutterballjen wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 04:57 am (UTC)

Going to third this! My fiance and I use all 3 sizes, and it is so versatile! I love it!

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laurlala wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 05:00 am (UTC)

This one sounds like a winner to me! I'm going to scour Ebay and Amazon for a REALLY good deal on this, or maybe I can get my mom to go halfsies with me!

Thanks for the suggestion! :)

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bubblebobble wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 01:26 am (UTC)

I have the stay or go 6qt hamilton beach one and I love it since I can make large portions of soups/stews/etc for leftovers and to freeze.

I'd look for a lot of soup recipes (potato soup, minestrone, etc) and give those to her. I dont eat meat with every meal but my husband needs it :P so if I make a veggie soup I just make a sandwich on the side for him

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laurlala wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 05:01 am (UTC)

Mmmm I have a mouth infection right now and potato soup sounds SO perfect right now- thanks!!

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alexcat wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 01:33 am (UTC)

The very basic 3- 3.5 quart simple hi-lo control crock pot is still available at a very low price at places like Walmart for around 20 bucks, I'm thinking. I like the old fashioned type because they are quite simple.

You can also try your local Goodwill store for the 3-4 quart variety.

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laurlala wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 05:02 am (UTC)

I like the old-fashioned ones too. Mine was a random impulse buy for $15 from Best Buy that I love even if it's not fancy!

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larryhamby wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 01:48 am (UTC)

???

I don't know why this broth thing got posted.

I intended to say that Lowe's had had the 3 qt. Crockpot on sale for %$9.95

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joanie_holloway wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 02:09 am (UTC)

I have a Rival 3 1/2 qt one that I got at Target for $15, I've used for our family of 4 quite successfully. It has the removable ceramic insert and warm, lo, high settings.

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joanie_holloway wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 02:12 am (UTC)

Oops its a 4 qt http://www.crock-pot.com/Product.aspx?cid=113&pid=391
I guess it was on sale when I got it?

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laurlala wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 05:03 am (UTC)

Hooray that's the one I have!! I got it for $15 too. (from Best Buy though) I know that if I can't find anything else super exciting for her to use at least I can search for a copy of my Ol Faithful and it will do the job :)

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oyme wrote:

Feb. 21st, 2010 04:33 am (UTC)

I have a simple white 4 qt rival and I love it. I have a bigger one and I'm not sure what brand it is but I prefer to use my smaller rival if possible.

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fluffy_goddess wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 04:38 am (UTC)

The most adaptable veggie-to-carnivore recipe I can think of off the top of my head is stuffed pasta. Throw in a liquidy tomato sauce that doesn't contain meat, or make one in the crock. Put in a cheese-stuffed pasta like ravioli with the heat on high for the last while (timing depends on the pasta type and size, but plan on it being a bit longer than it would be on the stovetop), then switch it to warm. The pasta and sauce stay hot and delicious for a good long while, so it's easy for people to eat at different hours (or if baby unexpectedly calls them away just as they're sitting down to eat), and it's pretty easy to toss some frozen meatballs into the oven to cook, or cut up some chicken, for those wanting a meatier meal.

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laurlala wrote:

Feb. 18th, 2010 05:04 am (UTC)

SUCH a good idea. We meat- eaters can use the leftover meatballs or saucy chicken for subs the next day too!

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