Out of desperation, since the Mr. likes meatloaf sandwiches for lunch (and that's all I had) I gave it a try last week and yesterday made a bigger one.
 |
| Needing some kind of rack, so it wouldn't be sitting in the drippings (eeew) I used a veggie steamer with the middle taken out. It is flexible and fit just right. |
It turned out wonderfully, better I think than in the oven and it only took about 3-4 hours on the high setting. Not bad for a 3&1/2 pound meatloaf.
Next, since I had some time left and was feeling adventurous, I wanted baked potatoes for supper. I only made two and set them in the crockpot, washed and with no foil, a little water and set that on high. That took about 2 hours. They did not get the crispy skin you would get in the oven, but got cooked and were just great with chili on top!
You may be wondering why I didn't use the microwave for the potatoes...that's broken too.
I had planned to bake bread yesterday, but scrapped that idea and took my dough and rolled four tortilla sized balls out and cooked them on the stove top tortilla style. They were great. I sent three of them with hubby today and ate one to test it. I put the rest of the dough in the fridge and will make more today.
I'm researching possible using the crock-pot to bake bread, but can't today, it will be busy with other things.
Hooray! Who needs the oven? Now, a couple more slow cookers are on my wish list:)
I love my crock pot. Have you seen this site? There's a recipe for almost everything for a slow cooker.
ReplyDeleteHi Persis,
ReplyDeleteI think I remember that about you...the link doesn't work, I think you meant to post the year of slow cooking? I went to your blog to link to it! Yea!
I am a crockpot junkie too because running the oven in NM even with air(although we have old ac) is not wise.
ReplyDeleteI also cook much on the grill in the summer.
We use a comal for tortillas and that is our mainstay bread(we are 55 miles from the southern border)...this reduces heat too.
Perhaps you and the family should make sherbet and icecream and dwell on lunch and dinner that require little or no cooking. Have a challenge on who comes up with the best cold meal...with as much balance and nutrition as possible with a dessert.
Then make a ribbon and have a party with the homemade icecream as a party favor!
Once a homeschooler always a homeschooler~ ideas ideas ideas!
Stay refreshed :)
Jennifer
Crock pot cooking and skillet bread. I am going to try biscuits in a skillet. I'm sorry that you have no air conditioning. How did people do without? Hope you have lots of shade and a big whole house ceiling vent/fan that sucks the air through the windows and out the top. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGrand ideas using crockpot for meatloaf never entered my mind! I tried whole chicken, an onion, a can of tomatoes, and a little sea salt & spices to taste, about 4 hours made it falling off the bone good.
ReplyDeleteI left out microwave when planning my new kitchen, it kills the nutrient value of food so I've gotten used to broiling to warm up or quick toaster oven. Who cooks anything in a microwave but potatoes or expensive frozen stuff anyhow?:)
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI wish we had a set up for grilling outside, I certainly would. It on the to-do list. I really stink at making corn tortillas for some reason. I do have an ice cream maker and love homemade ice cream, I'll have to do that soon.
And you're right, I do need to focus more on what we can have that is cold. This no air thing is new to me, so it's a learning curve for sure!
Petra,
I now MUST try to make biscuits in the skillet. It's on the list!
musemater,
I don't plan on replacing the microwave either for the reasons you mentioned. I love chicken in the crock pot too!
I absolutely love my crock pot! Good for you! 90 degrees is brutal! When we first got married we could afford an ac so all we had was a fan. it made no difference because we lived on the second floor of a cape and ALL the heat rose up to our apartment...what we did was spray our sheets lightly with water and covered ourselves with the sheets while letting the fan cool us off.
ReplyDeletehope you get your ac fixed fast.
Blessings, Joanne
PS. thanks Peris for the link I will have to check that out!
Hi Joanne,
ReplyDeleteThat sheet thing isn't a bad idea.
I never cared much for using my crock pot until now, but I'm really glad I have it:)
oooh....I would truly suffer. I love my crockpot. I cook beans and roasts in mine.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of outdoor cooking...we just bought a propane burner for doing canning outside. Big money saver but I was thinking of all the things we could cook outside now...like low country boil...one of our favs but makes my house stinky.
I'm loving the mobile version of your, blog I can get on my phone now!
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for the outside canning. The mobile blog thing is all blogger (not me) but I'm glad it is of use:)
i love crockpots!! i use them a lot in the summer because i want to be outside :-) great post!
ReplyDeleteWe've been using the crock pot and the Nuwave Oven for most of our cooking. We only have a window unit AC and with the layout of the house, the kitchen stays warm. We've also been doing big salads with beans for dinners.
ReplyDeleteHi outdoormom,
ReplyDeleteI peeked around a bit at your place, you have a great looking bunch there!
Hello Hollie,
Nice to see you:) We did a big salad last night, it was quite good. I wish I had more bean eaters.
Ma, you guys could always try a raw vegan diet while it is hot!
ReplyDeleteI started eating a raw vegan diet around the first week of June and have lost 30 lbs since then (Hello abs!) I feel about 10 years younger also!
That is another option BR....would be a tough sell to my meat and potatoes man, but I could go for it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the healthiness, always a good thing!