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]

Did you do the frozen chicken on the rack?

I’m not crazy about dry chicken breasts, so maybe they’ll do better in this gizmo.

[umgud]

Yes, we used the rack and it was frozen. We ruined a ham that barely fit inside by keeping it in about 8 minutes longer than we should have.

[Aliska]

I don't know the brand but they have a 9 X 13 equivalent rectangular casserole style. Also may have other specialty sizes. Think walmart has them.

Those carnitas look good but I was more in the mood for red enchiladas when I get to it. They seem too heavily spiced. I'd back off the cumin and oregana first time through. Some of this stuff if restaurant, I do like the spicier usually because they get the blend right have people coming back.

[blueyon]

Has anyone tried baking bread in their crock pot yet?

[firebrand]

Braised 2-Ingredient Chicken Wings

Chicken wings
College Inn chicken broth if they still make it, or your own wonderful homemade double chicken broth

In a cast-iron skillet, braise the chicken wings in about 1/2 inch of broth. You don’t really have to cover the skillet, just watch and add broth as it evaporates, turning them. After they seemed cooked, let the broth evaporate almost completely and swish the wings around in the almost-evaporated broth to coat. It will give them a very tasty brown coating and they will be very tender.

I apologize for the vagueness. I haven’t cooked in a long time. Can’t remember exactly how long this takes or how much broth it uses up. Best to have 2 cans handy or the equivalent.

[Jamestown1630]

This? I hadn’t heard of it, and looked it up.

http://wonderlandkitchen.com/2012/01/if-on-a-winters-night-a-traveler/

(Vaguely recall Italo Calvino, but never have read; maybe something else for ‘A Winter’s Night’ ;-)

[Jamestown1630]

I’ve done quick bread in the Nesco roaster oven; turned out ok. Haven’t tried yeast bread.

[Aliska]

I never had a Newco roaster, but my daughter made the most succulent turkey I've ever eaten. She started it in a cooking bag in the roaster presume covered at least part of the time, ended up with the juiciest pieces all in the bottom, probably added quite a bit of chicken broth.

It wouldn't take the place of tradtional stuffed turkey which doesn't work well in a bag unless you put holes in the bottom to let the juices out and even the pan. Maybe I just never thought it would, thought it would make the dressing dossy and not make as good gravy. I make a lot of extra dressing in a casserole dish.

[lizma2]

Cuban Pork Sandwiches.

Throw a pork tenderloin in a crock pot set on low with a 1/2 bottle of Mojo Criollo in the a.m. Come home at the end of the day and shred it.

Throw some of it on roll with Black Forest ham and Swiss cheese. Wrap in foil and bake a bit til melted. (Or more logically put the good stuff in the microwave to melt it and add the roll later.) Top it with sliced Klausen pickles and yellow mustard. Heaven.

Also do Crockpot Pizza.

Throw in cooked sausage, fresh vegies, onions, different peppers, garlic, a bunch of fresh, diced, tomatoes, black olives, mushrooms, pepperoni. Later moz and parm last hour on high.

If I do it as a pasta dish I throw in some V-8 to make it a bit soupy.

I’m a crock pot addict.

[BunnySlippers]

How do you like it?

[Jamestown1630]

The last time we had Thanksgiving and the oven was going to be full of other stuff, we did a ham in the Nesco. Turned out pretty good - but not as good as regular oven.

Ours is sort of like this, but a little less ‘top of line’; they go on serious sale at the big box stores, around Thanksgiving; and that’s the reason we bought it - a cheap, extra “oven”:

https://www.amazon.com/Nesco-4818-25-20-18-Quart-Stainless-Roaster/dp/B005HH19QA/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1508976438&sr=1-5&keywords=nesco+oven+roaster

[ConjunctionJunction]

We recently got an Instant Pot pressure cooker. Hard cooked eggs are much easier to peel!

[Jamestown1630]

I keep seeing reviews about that! I make so many boiled eggs to devil - mostly turning out pock-marked! - and I thought that good, easy-to-peel boiled eggs, and quick bone broth, were alone reasons to buy this. Yogurt was a plus, too.

[umgud]

Really happy

[Califreak]

I bought it for canning and quick cooking but I chickened out of the canning part and just use it to cook things faster on the stovetop.

It makes cheap tough cuts tender.

I have adapted some of the nomnompaleo recipes to it like the chicken and gravy and the pho soup. I cook chili in it to tenderize the meat even if I’m using ground beef.

Right now I’ve got a thing for Carroll Shelby chili of all things. It’s the only chili I can stand other than a knockoff of Tommy’s in L.A.

[V K Lee]

PRESTO makes an electric kitchen kettle. One used here for several years now. One GRREAT thing- the interior pot comes out and can be cleaned without all the cumbersome weight and electrical cords. It can be used as an electric kettle, a fry daddy, a crock pot

https://www.brandsmartusa.com/presto/136017/kitchen+kettle+multi+cooker.htm

Believe I’ve a 5 qt model

Presto - Kitchen Kettle Multi-Cooker
Model: 06006 | Sku: 06006

Purchased at Wally World sometime back.

[lizma2]

It’s been my mom’s job to make the Thanksgiving turkey and my job to bring the side. (10 hrs. away!)

My mom about 5 years ago who HATES to cook called me and said to me she hates to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving and asked me to bring KFC chicken for the holiday!

Thanksgiving is now brought to us by KFC. It’s tasty stuff.

Love to have a roaster.

[Califreak]

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-bread-in-the-slow-cooker-192421

I got curious.

Looks like it can be done but loaf won’t be as big and fluffy due to lower heat.

[SkyDancer]

Good stuff and filling and cheap to make; just make sure you make enough to freeze for future meals. I have some dehydrated versions for my emergency escape kit.

[blueyon]

thanks.........looks easy