tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post8878533520835487196..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: The Crock Pot (Slow Cooker) Your number one handmaiden.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-24279196742512470622015-06-24T04:05:23.756-07:002015-06-24T04:05:23.756-07:00Oh I am so with you, my crockpot is amazing. Just ...Oh I am so with you, my crockpot is amazing. Just used it yesterday, actually :) Can't wait to see some of the recipes you'll share!<br /><br /><br />Thanks for sharing this with us on the Homestead Blog Hop!Lindseyhttp://chickadeehomestead.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50044701793152586892015-06-06T06:33:23.795-07:002015-06-06T06:33:23.795-07:00Sorry for my slow reply Tania! For days that you w...Sorry for my slow reply Tania! For days that you wont be home the slow cooker is so wonderful. You walk in and dinner smells great. Even if its a big pot of soups something is waiting for you. I hope some of the recipes help. With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-52462544889681734192015-06-06T06:30:27.157-07:002015-06-06T06:30:27.157-07:00I found you through Jes, Terri and very glad I did...I found you through Jes, Terri and very glad I did! <br />You sound like me with the slow cookers going with main and desert at once. <br />Also we BBQ heaps and keep the heat and mess outside. Big help!<br />Many thanks Teri.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-66654101049686933162015-06-06T06:26:57.693-07:002015-06-06T06:26:57.693-07:00Sorry for my slow reply Mimi! I agree that it is a...Sorry for my slow reply Mimi! I agree that it is a saviour to walk in and dinner is done.Without this there would have been times in life where I would have bought take away or whatever but I have not needed to. This is much healthier and better.<br />Soup is so comforting and good. Such a dollar stretcher. My Nan always made wonderful soups. I grew up on them. <br />I know you have been having a busy time, I hope you are having a lovely weekend. xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-33169320935766281172015-06-06T02:58:33.298-07:002015-06-06T02:58:33.298-07:00Thank you for sharing this with us at Good Morning...Thank you for sharing this with us at Good Morning Mondays. I love using my crock pots and sometimes I have one going with the main meal in it and one with desert, they are so quick and easy to use. I can imagine how hot your house would get in summer in SA and not turning your oven on would be such a blessing. We use our BBQ a lot in summer here in Victoria and really helps to keep the house cool. Looking forward to more of these posts. BlessingsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04936255875038423505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-72027704851525248172015-06-04T02:23:11.065-07:002015-06-04T02:23:11.065-07:00Thank you so much Teri! Over the coming weeks I wi...Thank you so much Teri! Over the coming weeks I will do custard, baked apples, dumplings, golden syrup pudding... <br />First I am doing stock as that is such a handy basic and nutritious.<br />Yes things like baby food are easy. You dont have to watch things for burning or catching on the bottom. It is a big help. I will be very pleased if anything helps you out at all. With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-77008425378089837822015-06-04T02:20:10.606-07:002015-06-04T02:20:10.606-07:00Thank you Leslie! On Monday I will show how using ...Thank you Leslie! On Monday I will show how using an insert dish works for creme caramel or custard and also how an insert makes for very easy stock that self drains. This is a big help!<br />Welcome to the challenge! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-74379425982295678862015-06-03T20:21:32.521-07:002015-06-03T20:21:32.521-07:00Thanks for the helpful hints! I use my crockpot r...Thanks for the helpful hints! I use my crockpot religiously and yet have never used inserts. I'll take up the challenge.<br /><br />Blessings, LeslieLeslie McKinleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08082544707682903607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-26328940234022171862015-06-03T11:50:45.144-07:002015-06-03T11:50:45.144-07:00Dear Annabel,
The crockpot IS our #1 Handmaiden! ...Dear Annabel,<br /><br />The crockpot IS our #1 Handmaiden! You are so right about that! :)<br /><br />As much as I loved her before, this post has changed the way I look at my crock pot! I use it and love it, but there is so much more I never considered or looked into. I am going to look for another crock pot one size larger than what I currently have. I see from reading this post that with two going my results will increase when I have my cook-ups. The possibilities have me GIDDY! I've never done custards in them and I'm going to give it a try, so THANK you so much for this post!<br /><br />Thank you to all the other lovely comments as well. I feel like I've been to class and now it's time to put what I've learned into practice! <br /><br />Much Love,<br />Colette xxxColettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495414615748577448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-64935977963657408192015-06-03T00:20:10.297-07:002015-06-03T00:20:10.297-07:00Thanks, Annabel - yes, we were/are sad about chook...Thanks, Annabel - yes, we were/are sad about chookies and cow but hoping for bigger, better (and warmer!) adventures. <br /><br />I'm not sure about separation in the thermal cookers - though I do at times have curry/casserole in the big pot and rice in the smaller pot. They need a bank of stored heat to work effectively (without power), so I tend to make full quantities of soup/casserole/curry and then freeze any leftovers. <br /><br />I'm really liking the thought of slow cooker experimentation for the things I wouldn't generally tackle in the thermal cookers - particularly as a diversion from culling/packing! xxHappy Hamby Campershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12356172741606154132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-83063122997647571282015-06-03T00:11:55.444-07:002015-06-03T00:11:55.444-07:00Hi Rebecca, I am wondering if the thermal cooker w...Hi Rebecca, I am wondering if the thermal cooker will work the same and you can still do separate sections? <br />I saw you are culling and moving. I was a bit sad about that and your cow and chooks... but I hope it turns out for the best and when you look back it was all good and new and better things are coming! <br />Moving is a great time for culling, selling off stuff etc since it is all expensive to move. These have been my times of reducing greatly. Which feels good!<br />I hope some of my crock pot tips turn out to be useful even if for the thermal cooker! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-3013685970998204512015-06-02T23:56:57.749-07:002015-06-02T23:56:57.749-07:00I'm in the middle of a major cull Annabel and ...I'm in the middle of a major cull Annabel and as I rarely use my two crockpots I was eyeing off the smaller one and getting ready to "release" it. (I tend to use my thermal cookers a lot more these days for soups and casseroles). However, I've read your post with considerable interest - cos the concept of separate cooking *in* the crockpot is definitely new, so both slow cookers are still in the pantry, awaiting a new term of service!! ;)Happy Hamby Campershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12356172741606154132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-88821084861701848122015-06-02T15:19:57.562-07:002015-06-02T15:19:57.562-07:00Annabel we are the same - winter has arrived when ...Annabel we are the same - winter has arrived when it usually doesn't until July. Going from warm t shirt weather on the weekend to this has been a shock to the system for sure.<br /><br />Lynette<br />xxxxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-71924748732263033622015-06-02T05:58:04.427-07:002015-06-02T05:58:04.427-07:00I am glad your family loved your meal Marie! I agr...I am glad your family loved your meal Marie! I agree it is such a relief and so nice to walk in to the smell of something good cooking.I will never take that for granted, it is always just lovely. Evenings being calmer is a good thing too.<br />I hope some of my recipes will be helpful to you. Many thanks.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70982916901391893902015-06-02T05:54:28.390-07:002015-06-02T05:54:28.390-07:00Dear Lynette, it is great having different sized s...Dear Lynette, it is great having different sized slow cookers. It is nothing for me to have two going at once. I do corned beef too, Andy loves that.<br />The weather we are having is very inspiring for this series. It is so cold here yesterday and today! I love having soup going or anything warming.<br />I think I need to get used to the cold... I was enjoying autumn and the sunny days but it has suddenly really changed to true winter!<br />Have a lovely week. I do hope this series is helpful. Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-90044189296377228032015-06-02T05:49:30.897-07:002015-06-02T05:49:30.897-07:00Thank you Grace! I am so pleased your Slow Cooker ...Thank you Grace! I am so pleased your Slow Cooker helps you so much! It was the same for me when the girls were little. <br />The custards would be good for the children I think, I will do one of those on Mondays post. <br />I do a Lamb dish similar... it is so nice! The left over lamb I use with Tatziki dip and salad to make beautiful wraps in summer. This can be warm or cold. It is yum!<br />Baked apples are good too!<br />I will be really thrilled if this helps you use your Slow Cooker even more. I dont know how I would have managed without mine. Thank you! xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-10995356214501829092015-06-02T05:31:53.986-07:002015-06-02T05:31:53.986-07:00Thank you Jes that is the nicest thing to say! You...Thank you Jes that is the nicest thing to say! You have a lovely week too. xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-88258295093393419702015-06-02T03:24:10.660-07:002015-06-02T03:24:10.660-07:00You are teaching me so much!!! I am just gulping d...You are teaching me so much!!! I am just gulping down your blog :) Thank you for sharing with us and have a beautiful week!JEShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300505126646960374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-13045966903921197092015-06-02T02:22:29.228-07:002015-06-02T02:22:29.228-07:00I'm really looking forward to your recipes, An...I'm really looking forward to your recipes, Annabel! I use my slow cooker quite a bit - with four little ones I find it much easier to get dinner going in the morning rather than in that mad rush between school pick up and dinnertime. I use it for stews, soup, roasts (a leg of lamb with a little olive oil, some salt and rosemary takes me two minutes to prepare and is amazing), stock, baked potatoes, and stewed apple, but I've never tried cakes, bread, custards, etc. I actually had no idea I could use baking dishes inside my slow cooker. I can see this is going to open up so many meal options for me!Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03767643386870703037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-80658631034273892042015-06-01T23:11:49.514-07:002015-06-01T23:11:49.514-07:00I must admit that my slow cooker is underutilised....I must admit that my slow cooker is underutilised. I make soup in it and also a brown stew in bulk that morphs into something else next time it comes out of the freezer. In summer I use it to cook corned meat but that is about it. Really should use it more or at least one of them, I have 3 different sized ones and tend to use the middle sized one the most. <br /><br />Think the slow cooker is going to be used more often after this series Annabel.<br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-35572999356902490202015-06-01T19:49:01.514-07:002015-06-01T19:49:01.514-07:00Annabel, I am so excited about this slow cooker se...Annabel, I am so excited about this slow cooker series!! You have so many wonderful ideas and recipes. I cook lots of different things in my slow cooker but have never tried breads or desserts (other than stewed fruit). The meatloaf I made a while back, using your example turned out great!<br /><br />You are so right about baby food being so crazy expensive. I made all my own for our children but never thought to make it in a slow cooker! lol Would have been so much easier.<br />Looking forward to many new ideas and recipes! Thank you! :)<br />TeriTeri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-46156962119365504612015-06-01T18:42:38.784-07:002015-06-01T18:42:38.784-07:00Dear Shelley, Thank you! I hope this is a help. At...Dear Shelley, Thank you! I hope this is a help. At the moment I find soups a big help as it has just started to get really cold. Whatever soups you like will work except put in only water/stock up to about 2 inches max. You can add more later if needed but its easier than removing it as it was too much. Your best casserole dishes should work perfectly too. But over the coming weeks we will do all kinds of things and I hope it helps you. <br />It is such a relief to come home to everything pretty well ready for dinner. <br />Thank you so much! Love AnnabelxxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-27077425097722453062015-06-01T18:38:18.562-07:002015-06-01T18:38:18.562-07:00That soup sounds beautiful Mimi. I had leftover ve...That soup sounds beautiful Mimi. I had leftover vegies from roasting last week and did something similar. It was delicious. Winter is wonderful for things like this. As you say they are comforting... warming and filling. What a good thing.<br />I will add recipes and ideas each week for a while... this will push me too to try new things! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76498587818409102282015-06-01T18:35:05.553-07:002015-06-01T18:35:05.553-07:00Yes that one must have hit a bird Tania. thanks fo...Yes that one must have hit a bird Tania. thanks for trying again!<br />Soups never fail and it is so handy to have one simmering away. Also stocks from left overs. When you are busy this is a way of getting heaps more done and I know you are busy. I hope this helps anyway. This afternoon before I go out Im putting in a focaccia to got with dinner. <br />Have a great week to you too! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-83028904661193757252015-06-01T18:32:36.612-07:002015-06-01T18:32:36.612-07:00Thanks Anne! Yes that bit of moisture is enough th...Thanks Anne! Yes that bit of moisture is enough that everything will be steamed and tender. An alternative is vegies with a sauce over the top. ie a cheese sauce on cauliflower... <br />I put things on in the morning and use high. Later you can always turn it down. It is very handy! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com