The Conservative Cave

Interests => All Things Edible (and how to prepare them) => Topic started by: Mr Mannn on October 03, 2014, 08:54:57 PM

Title: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 03, 2014, 08:54:57 PM
I got a chuck roast at the meat counter, I bought potatoes, baby carrots, Lipton onion soup mix, a cutting board, and a real knife.

Saturday is full of chores. I know I'll be too tired,
So Sunday dinner is the real thing.

BTW, you gals will be proud of the Mannn, I bought a $50 crock-pot for $30.
I also bought 3 real bowls, 2 real plates, and real silverware.
~~and all this with the knowledge that I have no dishwasher, so its all washed by hand!

It will almost be like...camping.

Other stuff. I have one frying pan. One roasting pan with rack. a dozen eggs and I bought bacon.
I shall rise above all my achievements of the past when I cook bacon for the first time.
Then I can truly say, "I am Mannn!"
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: thundley4 on October 04, 2014, 05:48:19 AM
I got a chuck roast at the meat counter, I bought potatoes, baby carrots, Lipton onion soup mix, a cutting board, and a real knife.

Saturday is full of chores. I know I'll be too tired,
So Sunday dinner is the real thing.

BTW, you gals will be proud of the Mannn, I bought a $50 crock-pot for $30.
I also bought 3 real bowls, 2 real plates, and real silverware.
~~and all this with the knowledge that I have no dishwasher, so its all washed by hand!

It will almost be like...camping.

Other stuff. I have one frying pan. One roasting pan with rack. a dozen eggs and I bought bacon.
I shall rise above all my achievements of the past when I cook bacon for the first time.
Then I can truly say, "I am Mannn!"

Just a bit of warning. Do not fry bacon in the nude.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Big Dog on October 04, 2014, 06:19:13 AM
Just a bit of warning. Do not fry bacon in the nude.

That's very good advice.

Don't ask me how I know this shit.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 05, 2014, 09:59:32 AM
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaGlS7nqvI0[/youtube]
OK, this is it. I'm using this video as a guide (except I'm not making the gravy. and my roast is not frozen, so it won't take so long.)
the crock pot is being set up now, I just need to cut my potatoes and we're off!
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 05, 2014, 11:06:24 AM
OK, so this is what I did. My roast is 1.5 pounds. I used the 4 hours on high setting because it is just not that big.
3 potatoes diced up in mannn sized pieces. Baby Carrots because it is better to deny the little buggers a full and happy life.
Seasonings: Lipton Onion Soup Mix. Salt Pepper and Garlic seasoning

If I have to have it cook longer, then I'll just reset the pot. I don't think I will need to, but then I don't ask for directions either...So I'll know when I get there.

Anyways, I cleaned up the kitchen. and I will use real dishes and silverware. I will wash all my dishes by hand before I go to bed tonight.

The Mannn has arrived.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Dori on October 05, 2014, 12:47:09 PM
Good luck there Mannn.  Most of what I've learned about cooking has been mostly trial and error. 

My most favorite recipes that I've cooked over the years have been my own inventions.

I just hope you enjoy cooking.


Hint on dishes.  Took me years to figure this out, but clean as you go.  I find that if I keep a little dish water in the sink when I'm cooking, it's easier to wash what I use as I go along.  Just stick them in a drainer to air dry, and that way the clean-up goes easier and faster at the end of the meal. 

Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 05, 2014, 02:32:01 PM
Well, it is almost time. Iced tea is made. I looked in on the pot, looking good. I didn't flake the meat yet, but it looks good. Everything is clean and ready to go.

Next time I will go with the 3-4 pound roast. I've had no lunch. I just may eat the whole one and a half pounder in one sitting.

Any left over veggies will not go to waste. I may eat them with Brauts tomorrow
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 05, 2014, 02:44:01 PM
OK, 4 hours is up. I checked the meat and it did not flake like in the videos. I will check in two more hours
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 05, 2014, 05:00:14 PM
Mannn has eaten dinner.
He truly found it good. Ate all the meat. Life is good, Mannn is pleased.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: thundley4 on October 05, 2014, 09:44:50 PM
Have you tried the simple yet ultimate culinary test? Making a hamburger?
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on October 05, 2014, 09:56:39 PM
A recommendation for you in the future.  The best chain grocery store to buy meat in these parts is Fareway.  Reasonable prices as well, and they are closed on Sundays (damn Fundies!!!). :-)

There are some excellent local butchers & small grocers, mostly on the south side.  More expensive though, but some yummy stuff to be had.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Chris_ on October 05, 2014, 10:40:45 PM
What I like about crockpots is you can put almost anything in there and it will come out okay.  A whole chicken, pineapple chunks, orange slices, onions quarters, and soy sauce... good stuff.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Chris_ on October 05, 2014, 10:45:00 PM
Root Beer chicken: http://eatingonadime.com/crockpot-root-beer-chicken-sandwich/

Crock-pot recipes are everywhere.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Chris_ on October 06, 2014, 09:53:41 PM
Crock Pot chicken and dumplings: http://wishesndishes.com/crock-pot-chicken-and-dumplings/
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 07, 2014, 10:46:30 AM
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaNQcDbGvLQ[/youtube]
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: J P Sousa on October 07, 2014, 03:46:50 PM
Next step pressure cooker.

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/everyday-cooking/cookware-and-equipment/pressure-cooker/

 :-)
.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: JohnnyReb on October 07, 2014, 04:20:19 PM
Next step pressure cooker.

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/everyday-cooking/cookware-and-equipment/pressure-cooker/

 :-)
.

                                           DESPITE               
We Did Build Our Business - WITHOUT GOVERNMENT
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: J P Sousa on October 07, 2014, 04:39:33 PM
                                           DESPITE               
We Did Build Our Business - WITHOUT GOVERNMENT

Thanks
.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 07, 2014, 10:29:19 PM
Now I want to experiment. I want to try a porter house steak and lamb chops in my crock pot.
The possibilities are endless.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 10, 2014, 08:10:39 PM
OK, so I'm gonna try the Complete steak dinner in a crock pot video above.
Except for the A1 Steak sauce. I don't like it.
What can I substitute for the half cup of sauce? a Half cup of water? Less?

I have potatoes and carrots left from last week. I did get a jar of minced garlic and diced onion.
I have seasonings galore.

This seems like a dry crock pot run...Do I even need water? Maybe just some olive oil on the bottom?

Watching the video again, the steak didn't really start to cook until he turned it up to high for three and a half hours. I'm thinking of starting on high for 4 hours and playing it by ear after that.

OK Crock pot people. What do you think of my nefarious plans?
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 11, 2014, 01:20:20 PM
OK, I did it. Prepped the steak with salt and pepper. used chopped onion from the store, its dry flakes, but it will get moist over time. I also used minced garlic from the store...that stuff is STRONG. I may haves used too much. Not sure. I put in a third cup of water and baby carrots. My Crock pot is too big for just me, and the water does not cover the steak at all.
I forget I also added Lipton onion soup mix. Too much seasonings?

(I also sprayed the pot with PAM before hand too.)

Then a layer of aluminum foil, and two potatoes wrapped in foil. I will run it on low heat for two hours and then on high for 4.

If this works I'll try the lamb chops tomorrow.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Dori on October 11, 2014, 01:32:25 PM
It sounds okay to me on the seasoning.  How much garlic did you put in?

I wouldn't turn it onto high heat.  If you are trying to brown it, that's best done before hand in a skillet on high heat for a few minutes on each side in a tiny bit of oil to keep it from sticking.

Don't use old cooked vegetables.  I usually give leftovers three days.  Put in fresh vegetables, including fresh onion.

Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 11, 2014, 01:40:05 PM
It sounds okay to me on the seasoning.  How much garlic did you put in?

I wouldn't turn it onto high heat.  If you are trying to brown it, that's best done before hand in a skillet on high heat for a few minutes on each side in a tiny bit of oil to keep it from sticking.

Don't use old cooked vegetables.  I usually give leftovers three days.  Put in fresh vegetables, including fresh onion.
Garlic: a couple of spoonfuls. The steak is a pound with the bone in. That was enough to cover the steak. I just wish I had mushrooms to add, but I don't know what kind are steak shrooms.

If you look at the video above the deal was 8 hours on low. But at hour 4, the guy turned to to high for 3 and a half hours.

I didn't brown it at all because the guy in the video didn't either.

and the veggies are fresh. I just had raw carrots and potatoes from last week (not cooked left overs--ate those with smoked sausage)
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Dori on October 11, 2014, 02:06:15 PM
I don't do a lot of crock pot cooking.  I think of basically two types of cooking.  High heat in a small amount of time, or low heat for a long period of time.

A steak cooked on a grill, skillet or under broiler is usually done on high heat for 5-10 minutes each side (depending on thickness).  In a dutch oven on top of stove or in the oven for a longer period at a lower heat covered. (But braised first on high heat to brown).  The purpose is to have tender meat.  In my way of thinking, a high heat in a crock pot would make it tough or dry it out.

For mushrooms just get an 8 oz box of fresh white mushrooms in the produce section.  Be sure to get the whole ones with tight caps.  They are easy to slice. Others here may know about other kinds of mushrooms, but I prefer the white ones, sometimes called button, crimini, or champignon. Mushrooms don't keep a long time, so it's best to get them just before use.

My mom always used canned mushrooms, but I prefer to use fresh.  You can always cook mushrooms in a little butter and garlic in a skillet on low heat.  They're easy and don't take very long that way.

 





 

Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 11, 2014, 03:35:22 PM
I agree. This is a Mannn experiment. I really hope it works out. At 2:20, I upped the setting to high.
By 6:20 I should have a meal waiting. I'm encouraged it worked once on You Tube.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Mr Mannn on October 11, 2014, 07:31:34 PM
OK. Just pulled out my dinner. Barely any water left. The steak looks well done but is very tender!
This is a porterhouse, and the meat just fell off the bone. The baked potatoes are done, and the carrots should have been wrapped in aluminum foil too...they are fine, but one was stuck to the pot and one other was burnt.

Taste test: Very good. Tastes like a pot roast, not a steak. A knife is not needed.
As experiments go, this could have been much worse. Good dinner.
Title: Re: OK, so I chickened out and got a Crockpot.
Post by: Dori on October 11, 2014, 07:48:32 PM
As experiments go, this could have been much worse. Good dinner.

All that matters is that you liked it.  Enjoy.  :-)

Something I really like are cube steaks.  I think it's just sirloin steak that the butcher runs through the tenderizer.  I just flour the steak and fry it on a med-high heat.  Cooks up pretty quick and has a good flavor.  I make pan gravy with the drippings and serve that over the steak and over biscuits. Steam some veggies and slice up a tomato.  Makes a good dinner that you can cook in about half an hour.