Weekly Cooking (and related issues) Thread

[Jamestown1630]

I think we’ve only ever done two or three things in a crock pot that really turned out well; my crock pot has gotten the most use as a way to carry to a party and warm up dishes that have already been cooked otherwise. But one of the things we’ve found that the crock pot does pretty well is pulled pork. (Don't laugh, Texans - we're currently apartment dwellers ;-)

We’ve tried several recipes that turned out OK, but I wanted to make pulled pork in the crockpot like the Carnitas that we get at Chipotle (again, don't laugh! I just like it). A few months ago, I ordered what looks like a lifetime supply of Juniper Berries, because someone online had insisted that they were the key – but for us, they were not; and now I’m stuck with a huge vacuum-packed jar of berries that I’ll probably never use up in the remaining time that the Lord has allotted me.

But: I think I found the recipe last weekend. My husband signed up to receive email recipes from Cooks Country, and a recent one was for ‘Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas’; we tried it, and it was excellent. The secret seems to be citrus, which you don’t really taste AS citrus; but somehow, it adds that elusive 'je ne sais quoi'.

A slight variation of the recipe is available at the Mels Kitchen Cafe website; the Cooks Country recipe suggested crisping the final product in a fry pan, but Mels Kitchen does it under the broiler, and I think that makes a better product:

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/slow-cooker-pork-carnitas

After about a year of ‘window-shopping’ pressure cooker options, we have decided to purchase an Instant Pot. We are going for the 8-quart ‘Duo’, because that seems to offer the most versatility. I became interested in this product because of all the reviews on how well it does hard-boiled eggs (makes them very easy to peel, even very fresh eggs) bone broth, and yogurt-making. Husband is interested in the fast-cooking of meats.

Do any of you who have an Instant Pot have favorite recipes/uses for it?

-JT

[Jamestown1630]

This week: Of Crockpots and Pressure Cookers!

(If you would like to be on or off of this weekly cooking thread ping-list, please send a private message.)

-JT

[umgud]

Just bought an 8qt Insta-Pot.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

I’ve got a question about crockpot. I have a Hamilton Beach 10 quart I think it is. Do you know of another brand that is larger in diameter and not so deep? The cleaning crew has a hell of a time with mine. It’s just the right height that they choke and gag while putting it through the prewash cycle.

[Califreak]

Nomnompaleo has a bunch of yummy looking recipes for the instant pot.

Lots of tutorials on youtube.

I love my crockpots in heatwaves.

I cook ribs in one, greens in another, rice in a small one and I microwave sweet potatoes for a complete hot meal without heating up the kitchen too bad.

Also, meat for super burritos in one, beans in another and rice in the other. Homemade salsa, salad, sour cream and grated cheese and tortillas. That’s good for several days of heat and eat stuff.

[PrincessB]

That pot is on my Christmas list. I have a crockpot and I use it all the time, however, I like the idea of having the pressure cooker and yogurt maker added in.

[Jamestown1630]

Gosh; I’ve never heard of a crock pot that big - all of ours have been 6 quarts. We have a giant Nesco roaster thing, but it isn’t tall and deep, it’s long.

Maybe someone will know.

[Jamestown1630]

Made anything in it?

[firebrand]

It was featured in the NY Post food section today.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

I really have no idea how big it is. Doesn’t say on it. Probably is 6 quart. I just know it’s too deep for the cleaning crew.

[Jamestown1630]

"I love my crockpots in heatwaves."

That's one of the reason my husband likes them and wanted the Instant Pot, too - don't have to heat up the whole oven.

(I don't really care about that; we have 'thermostat wars', and I like the oven going, on Winter nights ;-)

[firebrand]

Instant Pot

[Jamestown1630]

Instant Pot? I’ll have to find that.

[FrdmLvr]

Crockpot chicken and gravy

1-2# skinless, boneless chicken breast (chicken tenders are good)
2 packets chicken gravy mix (McCormick)
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups water
Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt
1/2 cup sour cream (or more to taste)

Sprinkle garlic and onion powders, pepper and a little salt over both sides of chicken breasts. Mix remaining ingredients in the crock pot with whisk til smooth. Place chicken in the crockpot, covering with sauce. Cook on low 8 hrs or high 4 hrs. When done, remove chicken, stir in sour cream and hear through. Break up chicken into large pieces and return to sauce in crockpot. Adjust seasoning. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.

This is a quick and easy recipe and very tasty.

[Jamestown1630]

Thank You!

[Califreak]

I think I’d like an instant pot but I have a stovetop pressure cooker already and too much stuff in my kitchen.

I really need to start using or get rid of the Nu-Wave oven I’ve had for almost ten years.

[Aliska]

Okay, the timing is great, going to buy a new crock pot. Have a Hamilton Beach purple passion 5 quart oval picked out, but I'm reading that many of the newer heat on the bottom and need a liner. Can do that. But the sides are also very hot to the touch. Any suggestions, prefer to keep the 5-quart. Oh, don't want a higher tech one, just regular. I like the cicular ones better but will try oval

Then I plan to cook a recipe I saved for beef dip sandwiches. It's basically 3# chuck, 1 can consomme 2 cans french onion and whatever.

But I got it in my head we slick chuck roast and to get across the grain, the slices are thinner than I like roast beef. How about if I can talk the butcher into cutting me a fatter one? If it is too much I can freeze half of it.

The other cuts I like even better but want to see how the chuck works are sirloin tip, top or bottom round and I haven't cooked it but I thought there was a rolled one with fat tied around it, probably too expensive.

I'll go with the recipe but we now have the B than Boullion and beef stock and broth.

Oh and I like them a little browned; I thought some crock pots produced a little but most sites say you have to brown them in a pan. I'd rather not dirty an extra pan if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance!

[umgud]

Stuck a tri-tip roast in it......... done in 15 minutes, moist, tender. Frozen whole chicken, 25 minutes. Chicken breasts are not dry or tough. I think I like the pressure cooker mode more that crock pot mode. So far, I’m happy, but just getting started.

[SkyDancer]

Traveler’s stew?

[Jamestown1630]

Well, we had a hard time deciding between an electric or stovetop pressure cooker; but we aren’t yet in the retirement mode where we’ll be growing things, preserving, etc; and thought the Instant Pot was an economical first entry into pressure-pottage.

(I know about getting rid of things that may not have been the best choice. When we got married, we bought an electric steamer-thing, where you could steam-cook several items in layers - rice, meat, veg. I think we’ve used it twice, but I haven’t had the heart to give it away ;-)