What's in Your Crock Pot

[MakersTeleMark]

Wow, this thread just got taken to another level. Double-batch crocking.

[Danno]

A question for all you crockers.

I made this before:

Well, the chili verde I made yesterday turned out AWESOME.

4 lb pork shoulder/butt
28 oz can tomatillos
small can jalapenos
2 small cans green chiles
2 chopped onions
some green salsa
chicken broth
1/2 PBR
salt
pepper

I browned the pork for a while and roasted it in the oven for 40 minutes with the onions. Chopped the pork (discarded some fat) and the onions and combined them in the crock with all of the other ingredients.

With these modifications:

Made this over the weekend, with some changes. I did not roast the pork, just seared it in a cast iron (the pork shoulder I bought was already chopped up), so also skipped that step. I then cooked the onions and some garlic -- this recipe did not list garlic! -- in the cast iron, and then deglazed the pan with the beer. I also added some oregano and cumin, ditched the can of jalapenos, and also bought frozen green chiles (couldn't bear to use canned).

Cooked on low for 8 hours. Fucking delicious.

And am making again. I have a huge costco thing of pork sirloin (8 lbs!!!) so it'll be two crocks going. Anyhow, the last time, my meat was pre-cubed. Should I just sear and crock the roasts, and shred when it's done? Should I pre-cube and sear? I don't want to do a ton of prep work, but wondering if green chili with shredded pork will seem weird, or if it won't taste as good... Opinions?

[Danno]

Any help from the crock pot wizards?

[BraddA]

Shredding later may not be much quicker than cubing now, at least in my opinion. As for any ill effects shredded vs. cubed-then-crocked pork might have, I wouldn't worry about it. That kind of thing might anger the crock-pot gods.

After thinking about it for a moment, why not leave the cut as is, and serve huge hunks of pork in each serving in a super-rustic fashion? I don't see anything wrong with that, and its probably your best bet if you're looking for a low-prep shortcut.

Edit: Out of curiosity, what kind of beer you using to deglaze? I've definitely ruined a chili or stew or two by going too hoppy/bitter/dry.

[brice618]

I deglaze with stouts/porters (if they are a richer/sweeter variety) and sometimes a pbr.

I usually brown the whole thing. It shreds incredibly quickly after you're done cooking. I think shredded goes better with green chilli. But opinions are like assholes.

[Danno]

Probably use whatever I have in the fridge, I think there's a PBR in there.

And yeah, I think shredding will be easier, thanks for the confirmation that it will work.

[Danno]

Verdict: well, it seemed to work fine, and roughly shredding the meat was faster than it would have been to pre cube. That said, I think the meat I tasted lacked a little flavor, which kinda makes sense since it was cooked in a big hunk. I haven't had a full bowl of the chili yet to judge, cooked it overnight, but next time I may pre-cube. Still, can't wait to dive in to the two full crocks of green chili goodness.

[brice618]

I guess I should have mentioned I usually shred then return for another hour or so of low cook time. Sorry didn't think about it at the time.

[Danno]

I guess I should have mentioned I usually shred then return for another hour or so of low cook time. Sorry didn't think about it at the time.

I kinda figured that out, didn't return for more cook time because I couldn't, but shredded and put it right back in and let it sit in the hot broth for as long as I could before putting in the fridge.

[boarddad]

Another simple one - been eating leftovers of this all week for lunch;

4 frozen chicken breasts
1 jar salsa
1 can black beans, drained
1 can corn, drained

Toss it all in the crock pot on low, walk away for 6 hours. I had it over rice for dinner the first serving but I've been eating it just by itself and IMHO, just as good.

[advres]

Worst thing about using this thing is that you have to deal with the awesome smell for 8 hours but can't indulge. FUCK!

[iceman]

Good bump. I have to cook some of this stuff now that the weather's changing.

[Tye 1on]

heh, just a couple days ago came here to look up skibee's peanut chicken thingy...it's that time of year!

[Danno]

gonna make the chicken things in tomatoes and black olives dish that was posted.

[Trackhead]

Quick and easy tacos for days.

Bunch of chicken breast (or meat of choice)
Can of verde salsa-bit of water
Sriracha to taste
Onions chopped fine
spices of choice

Cook for 6-8 hours on low. During last hour, add a bag of Vigo beans and rice. Cook that for 40-60 minutes with everything else.

Turn off and stir in more Sriracha to taste and a tub of sour cream. Mix it all up and spoon it into taco shells..........good shit, easy as hell.

[JimmyCarter]

Earlier this week:
2 lbs beef stew meat
1 lb diced lamb
1 large can kidney beans (25 oz?)
1 large red onion
3 small cans diced chiles
1 cup of tomato sauce/puree
8 oz beef stock
Spices (chile pepper, cayenne, cumin, salt, pepper)

Seared meat in a pan
All in the crock at 6.5 hours on low.
For the last hour re-upped on some of the spices and added a diced green pepper.

Tasted pretty good the first night, even better the second night.

[Sinecure]

Forgot about this thread. Was at Costco yesterday and almost bought a crock pot. Tempted to go back today. My ex-wife uses one a lot. It makes me very hungry when I drop off the kids and she's been cooking something all day.

Question. Any suggestions for how to deal with the bachelor lifestyle? I can't eat a giant piece of meat in a week and it would go bad if I left it in the fridge. As it is I end up throwing out a lot of food. My vacuum sealer helps a lot though. But it seems like it would be hard to cook small portions in the crock pot.

[4frntmorrison]

Question. Any suggestions for how to deal with the bachelor lifestyle? I can't eat a giant piece of meat in a week and it would go bad if I left it in the fridge. As it is I end up throwing out a lot of food. My vacuum sealer helps a lot though. But it seems like it would be hard to cook small portions in the crock pot.

Invite people over for dinner. Works well for me. Made the world's best lasagna last weekend and had like 8 people over. Still had leftovers for later in the week.

[Tye 1on]

Question. Any suggestions for how to deal with the bachelor lifestyle? I can't eat a giant piece of meat in a week and it would go bad if I left it in the fridge. As it is I end up throwing out a lot of food. My vacuum sealer helps a lot though. But it seems like it would be hard to cook small portions in the crock pot.

errrr, freeze individual portions in tupper or vacuum sealed? I'll do things like cook the most stupidbasic pork shoulder, with a can of chipoltes and a beer, have dinner on it, then make a bunch of pork/cheese/bean burritos and freeze them in ziplocks...

[Danno]

Forgot about this thread. Was at Costco yesterday and almost bought a crock pot. Tempted to go back today. My ex-wife uses one a lot. It makes me very hungry when I drop off the kids and she's been cooking something all day.

Question. Any suggestions for how to deal with the bachelor lifestyle? I can't eat a giant piece of meat in a week and it would go bad if I left it in the fridge. As it is I end up throwing out a lot of food. My vacuum sealer helps a lot though. But it seems like it would be hard to cook small portions in the crock pot.

You don't need to vacuum seal everything, freezing it the old fashioned way works. I have a bunch of those "reusable" disposable tupperware containers. Make a big batch of something (2-4 pounds) and freeze it in a bunch of containers, each having 2-3 portions.

I occasionally make a big ass pan of lasagna, let it cool then cut into squares. Wrap each square individually and freeze. You then have single serving microwaveable food that is delicious.

[MakersTeleMark]

I occasionally make a big ass pan of lasagna, let it cool then cut into squares. Wrap each square individually and freeze. You then have single serving microwaveable food that is delicious.

Same with a tray of enchiladas.

[~mikey b]

mine is full of home-made baked beans flavored with bacon, maple syrup (collected and made by Owen's Pop-Pop in New Hampshire) more bacon, and carmelized onions

unfortunately it's sitting on my buddy's counter feeding the faces of all of the a-holes at his kid's 1st birthday party while I am home with the fucking flu

and I am having miso soup with brown rice

god damn it

[Bobby Stainless]

If you can't make these two things, then congratulations, you are an idiot.

BBQ Chicken:
Ingredients

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (12 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Place chicken in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the chicken.
Cover, and cook 3 to 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low.

Shred and put on top of a baked potato.

Hot Italian Beef Sandwiches:
Ingredients

3 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
1 (5 pound) rump roast

Directions

Combine water with salt, ground black pepper, oregano, basil, onion salt, parsley, garlic powder, bay leaf, and salad dressing mix in a saucepan. Stir well, and bring to a boil.
Place roast in slow cooker, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat.
Cover, and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours. When done, remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork.

[advres]

Forgot about this thread. Was at Costco yesterday and almost bought a crock pot. Tempted to go back today. My ex-wife uses one a lot. It makes me very hungry when I drop off the kids and she's been cooking something all day.

Question. Any suggestions for how to deal with the bachelor lifestyle? I can't eat a giant piece of meat in a week and it would go bad if I left it in the fridge. As it is I end up throwing out a lot of food. My vacuum sealer helps a lot though. But it seems like it would be hard to cook small portions in the crock pot.

Those cheapo glad or rubbermaid containers from the supermarket are nice size portions for freezing leftovers for a single guy. When I fire the crock up, I always fill the freaking thing. 2 reasons this is good. First is, if you are taking the time to cook it you may as well make a ton and have yummy left overs. Second, you can usually get discounts on buying bulk so it is cheaper as well.

/just finished off a pot roast I made the other day.

[nickwm21]

Quick Question:

What is the difference between a crock pot and a pot in the oven?

Nothing. Suckers.