Crockpot Cooking.......to keep from having to use your oven!

On another site that I go to someone posted this site and I really like it.   Here you go:  http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/     You can use your crockpot and not heat up the whole house using the oven.  I like to use the top of the stove or the grill too.  I've not done it but some people put their crockpots outside on their back porch to keep it from heating up the house too.

Hope this helps someone/anyone.

Hugs,

Angie

Wow, thanks, Angie!  I just checked it out for a quick look and I'll probably be spending the next couple of hours there!   I shared it on the June Cleaver post for those ladies, too.

Thank you!

Cherie

I found something new (to me) this past year.  Marinated turkey and pork in plastic tubes - great for placing in the crock pot in the morning and having a delicious meat ready for the evening dinner.  I do have to add a bit of chicken stock to the pork,  but the turkey turns out great with just the marinade.  I get both of these items at Aldi's and am thrilled with the results.

Janet

Janet,

We don't have an Aldi's here!  I wish we did.  The nearest one is about an hour away!  Hope we get one sometime in the future.  I know a lot of people travel there to shop but with having to take the kids (all 5-lol) it wouldn't help me much!!! LOL    May make a run after school starts with a friend and take just the baby with.  This way more room in the vehicle.  We have been wanting to go though.  She hasn't ever been either.  Thanks for the info.

Hugs,
Angie

Thank you for sharing this website - I've already subscribed to get the daily e-mails.

Great site!

Thanks, Angie.  Looks like I could lose myself there for quite a while!!.  Have saved this to go back to when I have more time.

WHAT a great site! Thank you for posting it here!

Deb 

Great looking recipes. Thanks for sharing! I have been trying to use my crockpot more often. The only problem is that I leave for work at 7:30 in the morning and need to allow extra time for putting a recipe together. I love grilling during summer, but need a change of pace sometimes!

arabella

Can't you fix it up the night before & put it in the frig till in the morning?  Just turn the crockpot on when you put the dish in it.  I guess this would work for the ones that are separate.  This might help w/the time issue.  Just a thought.

Hugs,

Angie

That is a good idea. My insert is removable, so I'm sure that would work. I did start my crockpot in the afternoon the other day, while I was cooking something else for dinner. It was a "new" recipe from the BB that had been on my to try list for sometime- shredded chicken sandwiches. When it was finished in the evening I put everything in a plastic container for dinner another night. I had cleaned out the freezer prior to that and had some chicken pieces that needed to be used.

arabella

I love using my crock pot, but I recently lost my lid.  Panic!!!  The crock pot is completely useless without the lid, and I really didn't want to go buy a new crock pot if it wasn't necessary.  I tried using foil over the top, and it worked extremely well.  My husband loved pinto beans, and it made one of the best pots of beans I have ever cooked!  Hope this helps someone else!!

Melissa

 Thanks for posting this great site. I love my crock pot and have it in use right now. It's perfect for summer as well as winter.

When I lost my crock pot lid, I found one at our local resale shop. And it was only 63 cents!  

Arabella, I know it takes crockpots a little time to heat up, but it is recommended that you allow a refrigerated crock to come up to room temp if at all possible before turning the heat on.  What I do is sit my crock on the counter before I do anything else and then stick it in the warmer just before leaving.  Apparently the crock could crack.  I know of people who have never let theirs come up to room temp and have never had a problem, but it is something that could happen.  

Kim 

Thanks Kim- a good reminder!

Arabella