Crockpot recipes

[myrosiedog]

Originally Posted by GuardianAngel

That's what I call "Everything in the Fridge" I've done that many times, and probably have not made the same thing twice!

This was my latest "Everything in the Fridge" the other day.

I had some left over whole cooked potates, and half a bag of baby carrots that were used for a dip a few weeks ago. I put them in the bottom of my crock pot, topped it with four frozen italian sausages, added a couple of cups of water and went to work.

There's nothing like walking in the house and smelling food cooking! I love my crockpot! I've been using mine for years.

I agree.

I call those days: "Musgoes" Everything must go.

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[Gutmutter]

Well y'all could have told me before! It turned out really good. I never think to put corn in soup, but I really like corn. The lima beans turned out really tender and juicy. The brussels sprouts got a little too mushy, but that's ok. I got a whole chicken already cooked at the store (the day after it was offered hot, so cheaper), took the meat off the bones, cooked down the carcus for stock, wrapped up the meat for sandwiches this week and used two frozen (cooked) chicken breasts that I found in the freezer. I microwaved them first so I could tear them into smaller bits. I don't like huge chunks of chicken in soup. I used a lot of garlic and onion and pepper. Really good. I have it heating up again now to eat all day.

[myrosiedog]

I put corn in soup, stew, etc. Love corn and use it a lot. Your soup sounds great. I tend to put in a lot of frozen chicken in the crockpot, after a few hours, I will take out the chicken, cut it up and put it back in. This way, it defrosts and cooks all at the same time.

I have done the same with pot roasts, etc. STraight from freezer to crock pot.

[Gutmutter]

I've read that that can be dangerous because it stays at an in-between temp too long that can allow bacteria to grow. Of course once you have it piping hot and crockin' away, I would think they would be killed, but that's what I've read. I love the way crockpot cooking reconstitutes the veggies that may have been in the freezer a little too long.

[myrosiedog]

When I do frozen meat, I put it on high. Been doing that for years and none of us have gotten sick yet. After it's thawed and been cooking for a while, I lower it to low.

[grapenuts]

I have a crockpot question. We're having a thing at work Tuesday and I'm bringing Sweet Potato Chicken Curry. The recipe is from my Cooking Light magazine and it's made to cook on the stovetop. I don't have stovetop access at work, so I plan to make it most of the way at home on the stove and then finish it up in the crockpot at work. I plan to complete it at home up until the additon of the sweet potatoes and peas. On the stove, you add the sweet potatoes near the end (fresh, cubed) and cook for 30 minutes on the stove. Then the peas just go in for 5 minutes. If I add the sweet potatoes in the crockpot, how long will they take to cook?

[AJane]

Originally Posted by grapenuts

I have a crockpot question. We're having a thing at work Tuesday and I'm bringing Sweet Potato Chicken Curry. The recipe is from my Cooking Light magazine and it's made to cook on the stovetop. I don't have stovetop access at work, so I plan to make it most of the way at home on the stove and then finish it up in the crockpot at work. I plan to complete it at home up until the additon of the sweet potatoes and peas. On the stove, you add the sweet potatoes near the end (fresh, cubed) and cook for 30 minutes on the stove. Then the peas just go in for 5 minutes. If I add the sweet potatoes in the crockpot, how long will they take to cook?

The potatoes will take a loooong time - when I make stew they have to cook along with the meat, generally 4 hrs on high or 6-8 on low, so you had better make them on your stovetop with the chicken and just use the crock to keep it all warm.

[grapenuts]

Originally Posted by AJane

The potatoes will take a loooong time - when I make stew they have to cook along with the meat, generally 4 hrs on high or 6-8 on low, so you had better make them on your stovetop with the chicken and just use the crock to keep it all warm.

Thanks for the advice. I don't want everything else to overcook because I'm waiting for the potatoes to cook. I think I'll just do what you suggested.

[inthegarden]

Originally Posted by grapenuts

Thanks for the advice. I don't want everything else to overcook because I'm waiting for the potatoes to cook. I think I'll just do what you suggested.

Or you can boil/steam your potatoes on the stove, in a small amount of liquid the night before to soften them up, refrigerate them, and add them with the rest of the ingredients the day you make your soup.

[grapenuts]

Originally Posted by inthegarden

Or you can boil/steam your potatoes on the stove, in a small amount of liquid the night before to soften them up, refrigerate them, and add them with the rest of the ingredients the day you make your soup.

Maybe I'll try that. I was hoping to keep the sweet potatoes more chunkier rather than having them turn too mushy. I think if I finish the recipe completely at home and then bring it to work and reheat it, the potatoes will get mushy. I made this dish a few weeks ago and the potatoes were better when it it first made then when I reheated leftovers. The taste was fine but I liked the potatoes to be chunkier.