Is it worth it for us to get a crockpot if we're vegetarian?

[Bearsmama]

Hi everyone. My DH and I are considering purchasing a crockpot. DH is vegetarian and I eat fish 1x/month-but I do not cook it at home. We're interested in a crockpot b/c of it's time-saving qualities. And we love to cook, but now with a small one, it's getting harder and harder to get those big, wonderful meals on the table that we used to. I've heard that there are plenty of veggie recipes out there for crockpots-but I don't want to purchase one unless we can cook big batches of brown rice and other good vegetarian meals. Any thoughts? TIA.

[lilyka]

all I have to say is Rice and Beans!! For th e longest time al I cooked in mine was dried beans. Just made the whole thinkg so easy.

[SqueezeMaMa]

We're vege and I use my crock pot about once a week. Soups, beans, spaghetti sauce. Love my crock pot.

[Chanley]

I used mine last night to make "clean out the freezer veggie soup"

So easy and yummy!


Root veggies also cook in these very nicely!

[jenP]

Definitely!

I make pinto bean soup, pink lentil stew, dal mekhani, saurkraut/seitan/potatoes, and black bean "taco meat" regularly and am looking for more good letil soup recipes. It's also great for cooking dried beans without presoaking. PM me if you want any recipes!

Jen

[mirlee]

Absolutely! I have put the bug in the ears of those who give b-day presents for one. My sister has two and they both get used several times a week.

[Bearsmama]

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll be researching crock pot prices next! I would love it if any of you would like to share your favorite recipes. Thanks again. Keep the suggestions comin'!

JenP-I'll PM you for yours. They sound delicious and right up my alley!

[Chanley]

Applesauce in the crock pot is AWESOME!!!

[SqueezeMaMa]

Chanley - Will you post your recipe for crockpot applesauce - that sounds awesome!

[Dovesong]

Not to mention curried lentils. Oh, baby. Did you get your crockpot yet?

[Bearsmama]

Of course, I jumped right to FOOD and recipes. But I guess my first questions should have been:

1) How much should we expect to pay for a good crockpot?
2) What is the brand name of the one you use/like?
3) Are there any particular features I should look for?

Thinking about all those yummy meals already...

[MelPatel]

Dovesong curried lentils can you post recipe

[velveeta]

YUM! Could you post recipes for applesauce and directions for cooking beans/bean soup? I was planning to make regular stove-top bean soup for DH today.

This sounds delish!


Jean

[Chanley]

Applesauce:

Take apples and peel them (I leave a tiny bit of the peels on them). Slice or chop in chunks, core them.

Throw apple chunks into crock pot with water to just cover them. I add a sprinkle of cinnamon. Turn the crockpot on high and let cook all day.

I DO NOT add sugar, never needed it.

When the apples are really really mushy, I take my hand blender and stick it in there until I get the consistancy I like. IF you like chunky sauce, use a potato masher and mash.

Let cook until it reaches the desired consistancy.

Let cool. I put some in a jar and the rest into freezer bags. It freezes really well.


Ohh and you can also take apples that have not been eaten and are going to go bad, peel them chop them up and freeze them like that. THen when you are going to make applesauce take all of the apple chunks from the year or however long and use those with your newly bought apples.
This works best on apples that are on the verge of being too ripe. I would ask at the orchard for apples for sauce if they have any ugly ones, you might get a deal on the imperfect or over ripe ones (unless they make cider).

Next year, I am going to experiment with adding some other fruits to my applesauce as well. I am thinking some peaches added into the mix will be good!! Berries might be good too. SO many possibilities. This stuff makes great baby food and oatmeal additives.

[rainsmom]

Ive looked on epinions.com for suggestions on features. LIke removable crock etc etc.

Im mainly vegi too and have struggled with what I would cook in one if I got it besides beans. I cook beans on the stove......whats the difference? Can you really not soak them???? What size would you recommend for someone who isnt cooking meat in them? For 2.5 person family.....

Ive seen them at walmart for pretty cheap, under 20bucks....

the other thing is ..........Ive always heard firemen say that they see alot of home fires caused by crockpots being left on......that has always scared me.

[jenP]

Mine's a Rival with removable crock and glass lid. It's quite large, was I think under $30 and has been quite reliable.
I'll post some recipes tomorrow.
Can you cook rice in it?? I have a rice cooker too, but it would be cool to put rice & stuff in the crock in the AM.

Jen

[Bearsmama]

Hi all. I got one!

I know, I know, it's really not that exciting. But I've been couped up in the house for two days due to the massive storm that hit the east. Hey, it's the small things in life, right.

Target was having a sale on crock pots (how perfect!). I got a Rival Select 5qt. with glass lid and earthenware pot with two heat settings for $24.99. Sounded pretty good to me. Does anyone else have this model??

Tonight was a prime example of how this thing should be able to help us. I decided to make a stir fry and didn't begin choppig veggies until around 6:30. DS needed me and just kept pulling at my leg. DH was trying so hard to find interesting things to do with DS, but it was all about mommy tonight. I know I can't stir fry in the crock pot, but at least a few times a week I can have a meal ready to go.

So, where are the recipes??? TIA

[jenP]

Pink Lentil Stew

In crockpot place:
1 1/2 c pink lentils
4 c water
1/2 c soymilk or ricemilk or whatever
3 small potatoes, chunked
3 small carrots, chunked
1/2 a small cauliflower, chunked
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp turmeric
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 TB cumin
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 TB coriander
2 tsp grated ginger (I use the stuff from the jar)
few saffron threads

optional: 1 or 2 small or 1 large can diced tomatoes (cut down on the water if using this)
few handfuls golden (or black) raisins

cook on low a minimum of five hours (can go much longer with no problem)

serve over rice

[jenP]

please see "pinto bean soup" thread for more recipes (oops)

Jen

[Bearsmama]

JenP-I hit the MOTHERLOAD!!

Thanks so much. I'm very excited to try out our new crock. I think I'll try the pink lentil stew tomorrow or Friday. I'm assuming that these reciped serve quite a bit? Like do you usually have leftovers? There are two adults and one child in our house. Sounds like all these recipes will make plenty

Keep the crock recipes a-comin'!!