I'm Tired Of Cooking!

[CarolinaKip 67]

It's always nice when the good instruments go to someone deserving.

This gluten-free crockpot blog might get you started.

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

I'm going to price a crockpot tomorrow! Thanks!!!

[sa1937 324]

I'm going to price a crockpot tomorrow! Thanks!!!

You'll be pleasantly surprised to find they are not very expensive. I have several and especially like the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go, which is available in both 4 qt. or 6 qt. sizes. I have both and it's especially nice that the lid has a gasket and clips to lock it on so it's easy to take somewhere (if that's something you need) so the contents don't slosh around and make a big mess. Of course, there are many others available, too, but for around $30, I'm pleased with these.

[CarolinaKip 67]

You'll be pleasantly surprised to find they are not very expensive. I have several and especially like the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go, which is available in both 4 qt. or 6 qt. sizes. I have both and it's especially nice that the lid has a gasket and clips to lock it on so it's easy to take somewhere (if that's something you need) so the contents don't slosh around and make a big mess. Of course, there are many others available, too, but for around $30, I'm pleased with these.

I'm away from my apartment for about 8 hours and have been afraid to leave it unattended. However, I'm really tired of spending hours in the kitchen everynight.

Do any of you use the crockpot liners? My sister does and wondered how you guys like them if you do.

[Skylark 938]

I'm away from my apartment for about 8 hours and have been afraid to leave it unattended. However, I'm really tired of spending hours in the kitchen everynight.

Rival Crock-pots are designed to be left unattended, according to the manufacturer. http://www.crock-pot.com/CustomerService.aspx?id=faq&fgid=44 The only concern would be if you suspect wiring problems in your house, but if that's the case ANY appliance left plugged in could cause a short. I leave mine all the time because I'm doing so many long-simmered broths.

Use common sense. I always leave plenty of space around the outside of the crock-pot and above it. Check the ceramic liner for cracks and the electrical cord for damage and I'm careful to be sure the cord isn't touching the outside of the crock-pot when I plug it in. If you are concerned about heat under the crock-pot, you can set it on a nonflammable trivet or pizza stone. Obviously, make sure pets can't get to the crock-pot. You also want to be sure it's filled correctly at 1/2 to 2/3 full. A boilover is a complete mess and the manufacturer says food won't cook right if it's below 1/2. I have a 3-quart and a 5.5-quart crockpot so that I can choose the crock-pot to fit what I'm cooking.

I got my little Rival 3-quart crock-pot on sale at Lowe's for only $9.99. It's perfect for pot roast. I've seen big crockpots (you need 5-6 quarts to do a whole chicken) for as little as $25.

As far as liners, no way would I cook food in plastic in preference to nice, non-reactive ceramic. 8 hours to heat plastic and make sure all the plasticizers get into your food? Ewwwww, gross! Put the crock-pot ceramic in the sink, fill it with soap and water, soak for a few hours or overnight. Anything cooked on will scrub right off.

[norcal_gf 1]

O.M.G. thank you Skylark for mentioning the crockpot365 website. I also get sick of cooking all the time - even though I'm the leftover queen. My favorite thing to cook is Tuscany Chicken: I buy the cut up organic chicken from Trader Joe's. Put all the cut up chicken in a large resealable plastic bag - add enough olive oil to coat the chicken, Rosemary, cut up garlic, and squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lemon. (You can marinate it in the refrigerator ahead of time). If I'm in a hurry I don't wait to marinate it. Shake all the ingredients in the bag and put them into a roasting pan. Baste the chicken a few times -- and add the other 1/2 of the lemon juice. Cook for 1 hour at 425 degrees. Viola you got awesome chicken! So easy, and taste awesome.

[dilettantesteph 494]

I try to spread things out. I make my apple juice one day, my apple sauce the next, and the day after that I'll boil a pot of potatoes to dehydrate. I try to always make extra to freeze and then I can pull that out later for some variety. Plus, that way if I just can't cook one day, I'll still have something to eat. On the weekends I'm so busy catching up on other things that I don't seem to have time for extra cooking.

I use my crockpot for making yogurt.

I used to so love going to restaurants. I had a boyfriend for whom money was no problem. We went to all the best restaurants. At least I had that experience.

Being healthy is much better than being able to go to fancy restaurants anyway. The cooking does get tiresome though.

[norcal_gf 1]

dilettantesteph can you share how you make yogurt in a crockpot? Thanks!

[dilettantesteph 494]

If you google it, you will come up with all sorts of sites. I use a Rival 3Q to make a half gallon of yogurt. I use a thermometer. On high it takes about 2 hours to get to 180. When I need to work, I put it on medium, and then when I get back I switch it to high and it only takes a few minutes to get to 180. Then I turn it off and keep the lid off to let it cool to 115 which takes another couple of hours. Then I take my 1/2 c. yogurt, add some of the milk, about a cup, mix well with a blender, add it to the crockpot and stir well. Then I put it in my plug in cooler and cover it with a blanket. After 5.5 hours I remove the blanket and plug in the cooler. That way I don't have to disturb the yogurt to cool it. It works best if I let it cool almost a full 24 hours.