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Author Topic: The other low and slow  (Read 1056 times)

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Hank D Thoreau

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The other low and slow
« on: October 27, 2019, 01:58:53 AM »

As I mentioned before, most food I cook is on a grill of some sort. There is one kitchen device, however, that I actually prefer over a grill for certain foods, and that is the other low and slow -- the Crock Pot.

I have been giving Crock Pots a heavy workout for many years. What I mostly use them for today is stews, chili, and one of my favorites, Corned Beef and Cabbage, which I just cooked today.

I bought potatoes, onions and cabbage at the Saturday Farmer's Market. I used carrots I already had at home. The corned beef came from Aldi's. I remembered seeing corned beef the night before when I bought my tri-tip, ribeye and salmon. I got a great deal on a brisket flat, about $15. I still managed to hit the grill tonight. I also got summer squash (yellow Patty Pan and an unusual yellow and green variety that is like a zucchini), asparagus and tomatoes at the Farmer's Market, which I grilled to go with the tri-tip I smoked last night.

As a little side story, I use a basic Crock Pot with a manual selector switch: off, low, high, warm. I had gotten a digital one many years ago. I usually cook my meals during the night and take the food off in the morning. I started waking up to raw food. The crock pot was turning off during the night. I connected the crock pot through a power meter to try to figure out what was going on. What I finally discovered was that when my air conditioner kicked in, there would be a very short power drop. You could see it in dimming of the lights. It would be just enough to turn off the Crock Pot which would not restart, since, it is digital. It was confirmed later by an electrician who claimed that the cause was the air conditioning circuit being in front of the kitchen circuit in our power panel. The analog Crock Pot works just fine. I don't program cooks so there is really no need for a processor in my Crock Pot. I don't need my Crock Pot to become part of the Internet of Things, aka IOT. I still have that digital Crock Pot somewhere in my house.
« Last Edit: October 27, 2019, 02:08:18 AM by Hank D Thoreau »
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okie smokie

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Re: The other low and slow
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2019, 11:21:23 AM »

We have the old fashioned CP as well, but it has fallen out of use for several reasons: We cook less since we got older, and of course eat out more.  Also, more impatient, so have purchased an "instant pot" and can do the same things if far less time. (not sure why we are in a hurry, as we have no place to go.) Maybe we are worried about leaving this world before the stew is done? Anyhow, the multi talented instant pots and air fryers are very popular. Lots of digital stuff to work with appeals to the younger set. Did a chuck in the instant pot last week and it was super in all respects, with new potatoes and carrots, a little wine.   :lick:
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Hank D Thoreau

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Re: The other low and slow
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2019, 12:12:03 PM »

Instant Pots are great. We bought one several months ago but I have not used it yet. It is getting a lot of use, however, from a person that lives with us that studied to be a chef.

I will get around to it sometime. It's like the old pressure cooker my mother used to use, but with 21st century upgrades.
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okie smokie

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Re: The other low and slow
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2019, 07:59:47 PM »

We just made 4 bean soup with ham chunks in ours today.  It was fantastic.  Pretty easy and the beans very colorful.  Enough left overs for 2 or 3 more easy meals, or as add ons with other entrees. I see that Ninja now has one that also can air fry.  That would be a neat combo. 
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Ralphie

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Re: The other low and slow
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2019, 08:56:35 AM »

Maybe we are worried about leaving this world before the stew is done?


I happen to think that this line is a literary masterpiece.
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pmillen

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Re: The other low and slow
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2019, 10:44:32 AM »

Maybe we are worried about leaving this world before the stew is done?

I happen to think that this line is a literary masterpiece.

Looking back at it I have to agree.  I love this site and the members' communications skills.
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Paul

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Re: The other low and slow
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2019, 10:52:54 AM »

We have one of the basic multi-mode crock pots, basically high and low with a time then it switches to warm after set time. Ours pretty much only gets used for chili, meatball sandwiches, nacho dip and a chicken and rice dish my wife makes. Bought an instant pot a while back and haven't used it much. I tried chili in there a few times, but it always ended up scorched. Someday I'll play with it more or try the slow cooker mode versus pressure cooking for chili. I wouldn't want to be without a crock pot, but don't use it near as much as we used to.
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Re: The other low and slow
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2019, 02:57:46 PM »

We used to use our slow cooker weekly, mostly for stews and other braised dishes.  Then a friend gave us a pressure cooker, years before Instant Pots were around, and never went back to slow cooking. Pressure cooking retains more flavors and provides much better texture than slow cooking. As counter intuitive as it seems, slow cooking tends to dry out meats, and veggies easily lose their texture.

Pressure cooking is a bit more work. Because meat takes longer to cook, you have to start the meat first, then release the pressure, add the veggies, and cook some more. But it's worth it because the results are so much better. Beef stew, from start to finish takes about an hour. I still have a 6 quart stainless pressure cooker but mostly use the instant pot, as it's easier to use with the built in timer.
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