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What are some tips for using a crockpot? Any good recipes using only a few ingredients?

I just got a crock pot and not sure what to make in it. Do you have any simple recipes without many ingredients? Also can I put frozen chicken or frozen vegetables in there? Does there have to be liquid in there too? What are some good guidelines?

Public Comments

1. I have one but I've only used it to keep things warm. The library has books and you can look on line.
2. 1. Crock-pots generally work best when 1/2 to 3/4 full. 2. There are plenty of recipes without many ingredients. My favorite - roast. Brown the roast, place it on top of some vegetables (if you clean them you don't even have to peel them) like potatoes, carrots & onions. after you brown the roast, deglaze the pan with 2 c. water and pour that into the crockpot. Cook all day while at work (on low usually, but I thaw my meat at least overnight) and you are good to go when you get home. You can use frozen veggies. Frozen meat is difficult. if you used small pieces, you may be ok. However you need to be sure to check the internal temperature of the meat before serving to avoid food borne illnesses. While "liquid" per se is not required, since most crock pots only heat the sides, and not the bottom, it is usually better to make sure you have some liquid in to help spread the heat. It is best to follow recipes at first. This is because the cooking time is very different. Enjoy.
3. Pot roast. just put in a roast, cut up some potatoes onions and carrots. Its soooooo good
4. Crockpots have to be the greatest invention ever. The idea is to put some liquid, the veggies in the bottom, the meat on top. Better Homes and Gardens has a wonderful section that will guide you through the best recipes ever, with instructions and everything. I prefer BHG because their recipes are tested in their kitchens, so it is hard for you to go wrong. I've never tried one of their recipes and failed. Allrecipes also has a pretty good section on crockpot cooking. I would recommend thawing your chicken and veggies before placing them into the crockpot. The cooking time extends several hours, and although you are using a slow cooker, it is not exactly the use the manufacturer has in mind for it. I use mine to make beans, onion soup, chicken, meat, even meatloaf, veggies, sloppy joes, you name it. It will even double as a fondue pot if you don't have one. Just keep the temperature real low, just enough to melt the chocolate or cheese, and keep it that way. It saves time, and money. Most recipes can be adapted to a crockpot, the stews turn out just great and cooking cheaper cuts of meat for a long time, turns them in tender, scrumptious morsels. Please don't submerge it, I prefer to let it soak with hot water and dishwashing detergent. If your crockpot is the kind that separates they it is easier. I have used a kind of flexible coiled steel wool that is rolled into a little ball, to get the worst stains out, but overall, it lasts for years and it will not let you down. Have fun.
5. Here is a site with lots of crock pot recipes: http://www.momswhothink.com/crock-pot-recipes/crock-pot-recipes-for-the-crockpot-and-slow-cooker.html It is not safe to start with frozen meats or chicken. They will take a long time to thaw at such low heat, leaving portions of the meat a dangerous, slightly warm temperature for a few hours. Some manufacturers even say not to start with raw chicken, but I think that's just the lawyers talking. People have been cooking raw chicken in crock pots for decades with no ill effects.
6. I Loooove my crock pot I got for christmas!!! We use it once a week ( ususally Sunday's) TO not become too lazy!!! My FAVORITE recipe so far...Is for Spicy Chicken Nachos its a whole block of Velveeta cheese ( I use the "Mexican" kind to make is spicy, but you can use regualar if you don't want spicy) I use 3/4 of a cup of Pace Chunky Salsa. A can onf sliced black olives. A 9 oz package of frozen cooked chicken strips, cubed. an 8oz container of Sour cream 1 medium red bell peper, chopped and about 3 or 4 scliced green onions. First you spray your cooker with a non stick cook spary. Then add the cheese (cubed), Salsa Olives and Chicken. Cook on low for about 2 hours stiring once half way through. After 2 hours stir in the sour cream, bell peper and onions increase temp to high and cook for another 45 minutes. I serve with tradtional Nacho fixin's and is was a HUGE hit with my girls!!!I use my cooker so much, I"ve even figured out how to do a few desserts!!! Good luck, and feel free to email me if you'd like more of my recipes!!!
7. You definitely need a liquid that covers all the ingredients. I cook: Chili Soups Chicken with potatoes Ribs