I now have a 12 qt. slow cooker

[Kai]

AKA a pot of crock. My parents keep sending these kitchen appliances. I think it is a hint I need to eat more. I am grateful, its a rather cool beast.

However, I don't have the slightest clue what I should cook in it. I know the general stuff that can be cooked in it, but I don't know what to make.

Ideas?

[trippinprincezz13]

Beef stew.
Corned beef & cabbage.
Pasta sauce.
Probably chile though I usually just do it in a large pot.

There are infinite more ideas, many that I want to try but that's all I have done so far in mine. Mainly because we need a new one. Maybe slightly bigger than what we have, plus the one we have is old and only had Low and High (or should I say "Lo" and "Hi") settings and the Low is still to high to leave something cooking all day or staying just warm without potentially overcooking.

Snoop around. There are entire books and websites dedicated to crockpot cooking. I am interested in hearing other's ideas though. Although I know you can cook roasts, shredded pork, etc., ribs, and billions of other things, I haven't gotten to try much and I love crockpots.

[Jasper]

Kai, you can throw a bunch of whole chicken thighs in it overnight with herbs and spices.

Then take the bones, skin, and cartilage out.

Cook it down even further.

Add things to it.  Veggies, whatever pleases.  I like to saute tomatoes and basil, throw those in, then saute some finely minced onions in the tomato/basil fond with some butter.  Throw that in.

Eat like a god, or royalty of some sort.

[Kai]

Beef stew.
Corned beef & cabbage.
Pasta sauce.
Probably chile though I usually just do it in a large pot.

There are infinite more ideas, many that I want to try but that's all I have done so far in mine. Mainly because we need a new one. Maybe slightly bigger than what we have, plus the one we have is old and only had Low and High (or should I say "Lo" and "Hi") settings and the Low is still to high to leave something cooking all day or staying just warm without potentially overcooking.

Snoop around. There are entire books and websites dedicated to crockpot cooking. I am interested in hearing other's ideas though. Although I know you can cook roasts, shredded pork, etc., ribs, and billions of other things, I haven't gotten to try much and I love crockpots.

This one is big enough that I could cook a chicken in it. Not a huge chicken, but still a chicken. And it has a keep warm setting.

[Kai]

Kai, you can throw a bunch of whole chicken thighs in it overnight with herbs and spices.

Then take the bones, skin, and cartilage out.

Cook it down even further.

Add things to it.  Veggies, whatever pleases.  I like to saute tomatoes and basil, throw those in, then saute some finely minced onions in the tomato/basil fond with some butter.  Throw that in.

Eat like a god, or royalty of some sort.

I guess with the size of this thing, I could potentially cook in bulk and save money and time cooking, eat for several days.

[AFK]

Second Felix's suggestion.  I recommend thyme.  thyme and chicken are yummy.

[Jasper]

And I strongly recommend thighs for anything slow cooked.  They're cheaper and better tasting.

Oh, PROTIP:

Refrigerate anything slow cooked overnight, then remove the fat on top.  Otherwise your soup will have a fat layer on top that makes it hard to eat.

But, if you wanted to gain weight...

[Jenne]

You can do everything from cake to soups to stews...pulled pork...shit, you can do anything in a crockpot...sky's the limit, Kai.

[Jasper]

Wait, cakes?

[Kai]

And I strongly recommend thighs for anything slow cooked.  They're cheaper and better tasting.

Oh, PROTIP:

Refrigerate anything slow cooked overnight, then remove the fat on top.  Otherwise your soup will have a fat layer on top that makes it hard to eat.

But, if you wanted to gain weight...

Fat is good. Reminder: I am underweight, and its mostly due to sporatic eating.

Thanks though. Any more advice that anyone has is welcome welcome.

[trippinprincezz13]

This one is big enough that I could cook a chicken in it. Not a huge chicken, but still a chicken. And it has a keep warm setting.

Lucky   I could probably fit one cornish hen in mine but that's about it.

I know what I'm asking santa for Christmas this year! lol

[Jenne]

Wait, cakes?

Yes...I've had a chocolate crockpot cake that is to die for.  Melty goodness.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Crockpots RULE!

You can make a killer pork roast with carrots and potatoes in that thing, too. Also, beans... my favorite are pintos!

[Jasper]

Wait, cakes?

Yes...I've had a chocolate crockpot cake that is to die for.  Melty goodness.

Link or post reciple plzzzzzzzzz

...zzz.

[Jenne]

Wait, cakes?

Yes...I've had a chocolate crockpot cake that is to die for.  Melty goodness.

Link or post reciple plzzzzzzzzz

...zzz.

Righteo--one moment while I look for it...

This is a banana one I found--sounds great:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/slow-cooker-banana-upside-down-cake-recipe2/index.html

And here's the chocolate cake I've had:

This fabulous, decadent chocolate pudding cake is made in your crockpot.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours,
Ingredients:
1 pkg. two layer chocolate cake mix
3 oz. pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
2 cups sour cream
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
Preparation:
Spray a 4 quart crockpot with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix and pudding mix. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the water, then add the sour cream and oil and beat until smooth. Add to the dry ingredients and beat well. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour into crockpot. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until top springs back when touched very lightly with finger. 8-10 servings