The Mennobrarian

An ode to the crock pot

11:06, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted in Small Homemaking .. 7 comments .. Link

This past Christmas, I won something very useful at a Christmas party. A slow cooker! Yes, I know you homemaking veterans out there have ones with lots of mileage on them, but this was a very new innovation for me.

My husband had suggested getting one, and I was actually unenthusiastic about the idea. Part of it was, I'm just an old fashioned pain-in-the-neck who likes things pan-fried and oven-roasted, and every crock pot meal I ever experienced seemed uninspiring, at best. Sure, those saucy stews would cure your hunger, but they never struck me as particularly tasty. My husband, on the other hand, had nothing but fond memories of tender meat falling off the bone all thanks to his mother's crock pot. So it was with much gratitude and a little weariness that I brought home my newly won slow cooker, or should I say, hauled it home, as it is a big 5 and 1/2 quart model. Far more than needed for two people, but at least you can put a turkey in it.

It sat in the "housewares" room with the rest of our belongings for a couple of weeks while I asked around for ideas and studied the owner's manual. My mind was full of questions and suspicions: Was this thing really going to cook a meal while I was at work all day? Really? Are you sure? How? Yes, I know it seems silly, especially when you consider how many of these I've seen lined up at church fellowship suppers, not to mention cooking away in people's homes. You would think I would "get it."

So like the research librarian I am, I launched my project on crock pot investigations, asking people what they cooked with their own, and reading recipes and cook books for ideas. When I finally put my first roast in it (just last week) and reluctantly walked away after turning the knob, I couldn't resist going back and feeling it to see if it really would get warm. In a final act of faith, I left it alone. And the results were quite pleasing.

Now, I am devoted.

I can't wait to make delicious soups, hearty rice and bean dishes, and maybe even dessert. All this meal-making power in such an efficient machine! Now there's a simple pleasure.

Leave a Comment

love crockpots!!

11:35, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted by blessedmomof10
Oh you will love your crockpot!! They are wonderful & I need to get a new one as mine is worn to death!!

Happy cooking!! :)

Gloria

welcome

11:42, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted by missourimom
to the club!! i love mine, mostly because, as a busy mom (and you as a working wife) it is fabulous to have dinner READY!

leslie

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11:43, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted by GrandmaRosie
Welcome to cooking the easy way! I love my crockpot.

Yes, and even DESSERT!

12:16, Friday, January 11, 2008 .. Posted by rellamom
You will enjoy that new "toy" for its ability to make meals, yes. Even side dishes. The most amazing thing, though, is desserts are more than just a possibility, too.

ENJOY!

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08:08, Friday, January 11, 2008 .. Posted by faithfarm
Love the crockpot! You will be so happy once you start using it regularly! You can do so much! What a time saver. Blessings>faithfarm

Yum-o

08:56, Friday, January 11, 2008 .. Posted by blurose
Try this one:

Slow Cooker Fajita Stew

2-1/2 lbs. boneless beef top round steak
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
14 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 oz. envelope fajita seasoning mix, or 2 Tbsp. Homemade Fajita Mix
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1" pieces
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1" pieces
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup water

Trim excess fat from beef and cut into 2" pieces. Combine with onion in a 3-4 quart slow cooker. Mix together fajita seasoning mix (either purchased or your own homemade) and undrained tomatoes and pour over beef. Place peppers on top. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 7-9 hours until beef is tender.
Combine flour with water in a small bowl and stir well to mix. Add gradually to crockpot and stir well. Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 15-20 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally. Serve stew with hot cooked rice or hot couscous. 8 servings

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10:20, Friday, January 11, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427
As you already know....our crock pot died. But I bought another one the other day. What a blessing that we had the money saved for a "rainy day" and were able to replace it so quickly. I love my crockpot, and have found making pork loins, roasts, soups and yes some desserts in it a wonderful thing. Hope you are still enjoying yours!!!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

Edited by gabbie427 on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 09:22