I have so been enjoying my new slow cooker. What an improvement on the last one. Since we were getting it with reward points we went for an up market model and one in which you could brown meat in the same pot before turning it onto slow cook. It is a Morphy Richards stainless steel and looks very sleek, rather like I a flying saucer. It’s been getting a lot of use. Even so things don’t always work out as planned. We were going to a birthday party on Sunday afternoon and I was to take the crock pot … Continue reading →

I’ve been enjoying using Slow Cooker- easy and delicious recipes for all seasons by Sally Wise. I’ve often started with a basic recipe from her book and added and adapted as I always do. This one Mick loved so much he would have happily sat down to it the next night too. The original recipe was for Moroccan Lamb using lamb mince. Here is my variation using beef and a few other interesting changes. Moroccan Beef Ingredients2 tablespoons sunflower oil 16 ounces rump or round steak (You can use cheaper cuts or buy what is on special) 2 tablesppons rice … Continue reading →

The unthinkable happened. In the middle of cooking a meal the other night, our crock pot died. It was working when I’d turned it on and when I checked an hour or so later. The next time I went to add another ingredient, it was cold. I had no idea how long it had been off. I hastily transferred the meal to a casserole dish and put it in the oven. As I thought about it, I got more than my money’s worth out of my slow cooker.It must have been a good twenty years old and has plenty of … Continue reading →

Since it’s still cold weather over the other side of the world, I’ve been trawling through my crock pot recipes for favorites to share with you. Here is one for Beef Curry. HINT. You could use round steak in this recipe and reduce the cooking time but I prefer to use the cheaper cuts. Thought the cheaper cuts of meat like chuck steak and gravy beef will take longer to cook, they are also full of flour so worth it and you’ll be helping your budget as well. Beef Curry Ingredients 16 ounces of chuck steak, or gravy beef, cubed … Continue reading →

Inspired by Dale’s review of a slow cooker cook book, I thought I would chime in with my own recommendation. I am definitely going to check out her choice, but meanwhile, let me tell you about my favorite slow cooker cook book. This is a book that I recommend to anyone who is new at slow cooking. The recipes are simple and adaptable. My copy has plenty of post it notes inserted on the pages that give detail about the changes that I have made in order to improve a recipe to my family’s taste. And any cookbook that lends … Continue reading →

If you’re after recipes for your slow cooker you’ll want to rush and get a copy of Slow Cooker by Sally Wise. I received a copy of this book to review and it’s the best slow cooker book I’ve seen, filled with great recipes. It’s summer in Australia so I haven’t been using my slow cooker as much (I’m still a bit in holiday mode) but come autumn and winter this will be the first book Ill reach for. If you have a family who loves chicken like Michele’s family does then you will love Bedevilled Chicken (Aussie spelling here … Continue reading →

When you are tasked with cooking for an army of guests during the holiday season, everyday meals often get relegated to the back burner. After all, who has time to whip up a four-course meal for your immediate family when you trying to create an awe-inspiring buffet for a bevy of out-of-town visitors? Fortunately, there are ways to feed your family delicious and nutritious meals while preparing multiple holiday feasts. Two words: crock pot. The following no-mess crock pot meals are not only a breeze to make, but they also help free you up to work on your holiday baking: … Continue reading →