Evening all, I'm talking just the regular ones, not the specially made crock pot/slow cooker bases. I usually make everything from scratch but with looking after 3 grandies, ATM am finding no time for this!!!
Was having a quick chat with a friend this afternoon, she says no good using them as they catch and burn, would love to hear your comments, experience etc, did a super quick swoop through the supermarket at 5pm, couldn't think straight LOL and now realise I've bought just the regular ones...... TIA :)

thepalmnut - 2019-07-13 19:10:00

How old are the grandies? Old enough to wield a peeler? What a great opportunity to get some help in the kitchen and teach them to cook. I'm sorry, I can't help with the bases, though I often use packet onion or mushroom soup to augment flavour. But if you're using a crockpot, you're not in a tearing hurry to get dinner on the table. I always loved cooking with my Grandies. It gave us an opportunity to sing and, tell stories when they were little and to talk when they were older - opportunities that busy working parents don't always have. Even a 5 year old can peel carrots ....

punkinthefirst - 2019-07-13 19:51:00

Try using a older crockpot, they dont cook as hot as the new slow cookers. Put ingredients in cooker, mix your base packet with a cup water, pour over the top, lid on cook on low.

fifie - 2019-07-13 20:29:00

Hi punkinthefirst, yes I do baking with the two eldest and they love it! They are aged 6yrs, 4yrs and the newbie is 4months. The 4yr old grandson has hands like Atlas, Superman, The Hulk, LOL and can actually knead bread dough like a pro LOL. All the play dough activity has paid off, HA! 6yr old granddaughter likes making pretty, girly cupcakes and slices. All good here, lots of fun, we are out early most days, bush walks and the beach etc, hence crock pot meals that can just gently cook all day. Would normally be more organised but the stay was unexpected. Thanks for your reply, I am going to go ahead and prepare a meal now ready to start cooking in the am. Already have broccoli, cauliflower in cheese sauce left over from tonight, plus yams in a honey/soy sauce. Thanks again :)

thepalmnut - 2019-07-13 20:39:00

fifie wrote:

Try using a older crockpot, they dont cook as hot as the new slow cookers. Put ingredients in cooker, mix your base packet with a cup water, pour over the top, lid on cook on low.

Thank you , will do and will make sure is on low.

thepalmnut - 2019-07-13 20:41:00

You're welcome, palmnut. My lot are 28, 27 and 25, and still come to Nana when they need to talk things out. I'm very privileged to be trusted with their deepest thoughts. The together time has sure paid off.

punkinthefirst - 2019-07-13 22:06:00

punkinthefirst wrote:

You'-
re welcome, palmnut. My lot are 28, 27 and 25, and still come to Nana when they need to talk things out. I'm very privileged to be trusted with their deepest thoughts. The together time has sure paid off.

That's so lovely :)

thepalmnut - 2019-07-14 09:19:00

Ive been cooking everything in the crockpot in oven bags, I can cook 2 different things at the same time, saves cleaning, they cant 'catch' and you can freeze the bags and put in the microwave to reheat.

articferrit - 2019-07-14 09:54:00

re oven bags......
When I was cheffing, and working nights, I used to put a chunk of meat, and large chunks of carrots, onions, scrubbed potato, a whole piece of sweetcorn, chunk of pumpkin.....whatever..... into an oven bag with seasonings as wanted, put it into an oven bag, then into a dry casserole in the oven at between 120 and 150 degrees C before I went to work.
When I got home,hours later, there was dinner, all ready to dish up.
It works best with the less tender cuts of meat such as lamb shanks, beef shin, etc..... the cuts that don't fall apart. I even managed a hangi-like meal, and also a kind of tandoori (by adding tandoori spices and some yoghurt to the bag). If I wanted a salad, that is easily made at the last minute. It really is worth experimenting, and I bet you can do this sort of bag cooking in the slow cooker.

punkinthefirst - 2019-07-14 12:52:00