I've had a request to show my slow cooker and to tell a bit about it. I had a regular crock pot from years ago, when they first came out. A poppy colored red one with a ceramic lining that didn't come out. It had been used countless times and I was pretty satisfied with it for years. I decided that I wanted an oval new slow cooker with the removable ceramic bowl that could go from counter to table. We are only two here in our household, but it seemed that a 7 qt. would be the size I wanted. I like to make big amounts and then freeze what we don't eat after two meals. At Christmas, a couple of years ago, I got a $50 gift card. I knew right away what I wanted to buy. I had been researching these cookers... forever it seemed and I knew the brand that I wanted. It's a Wolfgang Puck, 7qt, slow cooker. A bit pricey...but after all I had $50 to start out with. I added some money to it and bought what I call the Cadillac of cookers.The brand name meant nothing to me...It could have been a Joe Smith slow cooker.I just liked all the features in this one. I couldn't wait to try it out. I made vegetable soup for my first try. It turned out delicious. Since that first try, I have become more adept at using it and doing so, sometimes, without a recipe. I know that you don't have to use much liquid with most recipes, you can put potatoes and carrots on the bottom with a roast on top...and the veggies won't get mushy. That still seems a miracle to me...veggies can take the same amount of time as a big roast.I have learned how to season foods and know that meats are better if you brown them first and put the bits in the bottom of the browning pan in the cooker too. I have learned that the method of slow cooking brings flavors that you couldn't imagine. I have made, stews, soups, roasts, chili, pork chops, round steak, everything but chicken. I had an experience way back in the day with a chicken in the crock pot. Rubbery skin, no flavor, grease on top...I just can't get that out of my mind. I am going to try making a chicken in it this next week and I will post the results. This cooker has been invaluable to me during this hot summer. The kitchen doesn't get hot and I can relax while my meal is being cooked. I am more that satisfied with my purchase and I would do it again. My only regret is that Wolfgang didn't include a recipe book for using this cooker.
Balisha
16 comments:
Here is a site that has a slow cooker recipe every day and some from the past.
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/
I have tried some and they have all been good.
I to love my slow cooker..Since we are all addicted to Pinterest.com that is one place to go for many many recipes for your slow cooker. We have even made chocolate cake it it... yummy!!! It sure is a time saver for us on the go...
That soup sure looks good!
I didn't know Wolfgang Puck made slow cookers. It looks like a nice one. After your glowing review, I will keep my eyes open to see one for an up close and personal inspection! I am just getting into slow cooking...I know it's been around since the 70's... takes me awhile to jump on the "in" band wagon!
I like my slow cooker also. I had one years ago that I finally threw out because I didn't think it was very safe. They are made much better now and I do trust it to leave for the day.
Eileen
Hi Balisha,
You have inspired me to haul out my slow cooker and start using it again :-)
Noelle
Oh, that seems wonderful! Thank you, Balisha, for this post and the photos. Hmmmm, I have birthday coming up in October... maybe this will work out for me. :)
Hi again, just wanted to tell you that when I Googled for the cooker two of the hits on the first page were your post. (More smiles.)
While reading the hits I found they are calling the one that looks like yours "Electronic". Is that what yours is, Electronic?? I don't know the difference between electric and electronic, or, even if there is a difference. I just want to be sure to get one like yours because it has tested out so well to your satisfaction. If yours is electronic, I will go ahead and buy one. I looked at the Sears website. And they showed one that looks like yours for $159.01 The reason I thought of Sears is because I have a couple of small gift cards that I would like to use this way. If other readers are interested it is shown low on the page at this URL
http://www.sears.com/search=wolfgang%20puck?pageNum=2&storeId=10153&viewItems=25&keywordSearch=false&catalogId=12605
Hi Balisha! I have been catching up on your blog. I see you had a visit from Molly. I know you love that and the little girls coming over to entertain you. I, too, did not plant as much this year. It has been so hot and dry here. We set records for the highest temperatures ever here. I have a couple cucumber vines, some tomato vines, and squash. No okra this year! It takes a lot of room in my yard. The yard crunches under my feet. We did get a little rain two days ago but we are so far behind. You and my grandson, Thomas, must be related. This kid would live on hot dogs. That's all he wants to eat. I love that you are doing all the crock-pot recipes! I could not live without mine. I just have five and would love one just like yours, too. Bob and I bought fishing poles yesterday. We decided we are going to do some fishing and maybe teach Thomas, too. We have a game preserve here with a couple lakes that old people and children are allowed to fish there and that's it. Kind of a neat thing. I used to fish a lot and am looking forward to trying it again. We thought if we went real early in the morning or late in the afternoon they might bite.
Sounds like you two are doing good. I put up a hummingbird feeder this year and actually had a couple show up. A month or so ago I had lightening strike my water meter, run into my house through the water pipes, burst the pipe to my ice maker and flooded my kitchen. Thank God it did not ruin my wood floors and I was home. It jumped to the electric and burned out all my phones, my computer modem, ceiling fan and a breaker in the box. Strange stuff! Scared me to death. I was here by myself. My whole house would have flooded had I not been home. That's about all I know. Keep in touch. Love and hugs to you both.
I LOVE my slow cooker. I bought in new in the box at a garage sale..and it is fantastic. This is my second one...and one of my very favorite things in the kitchen!
Your looks wonderful..and I can tell you are as hooked on yours as I am on mine. :)
I just wanted to add...don't mix up a slower cooker with a crock pot. For me they are very different. Mine can go on the stove to brown things and then to the cradle to finish cooking..slowly. NOT the same as a crock pot.
I love the quote you have under your header. you have a nice blog. I'm a new follower!
Balisha, I hope you like the Crock Pot BBQ chicken. Another recipe that has been one of my all time favorites was the Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken. Everyone has loved it. Would love your feedback. I love your blog.
I guess that the cookers that originally started it all were named crock pots. The company was Rival. I think we sometimes call them all crockpots...even tho the new name is slow cooker. I haven't heard of one that can go on the stove.....unless yours is metal and sits on a heating cradle. That I've seen. Mine is like so many...a ceramic pot that can go from counter to table.
Balisha
Welcome Nicole...Thanks for your kind comments and for the visit. Please visit again.
Balisha
This post has been pretty popular with everyone. I think we all need an appliance to keep the kitchen cool in our hot summer weather. Thankyou for the links to more recipes. I'll check them out.
Balisha
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