Slow Cooker/Crock Pot

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Little Miss Happy Sep 2022 6:52am, 16 Sep 2022 6,019 posts	0 Little Miss Happy If you do jacket spuds in the slow cooker do you get crispy skins? I've seen instructions for wrapping them in foil and for just resting in some baking paper but reviews are mixed. I do like a crispy skin.
Fields Sep 2022 12:24pm, 16 Sep 2022 6,541 posts	0 Fields I’m trying to work out how to do a pasta bake with what I have in the I have onions, shallots, mushrooms, garlic. I have tins of tomatoes, purée, various types of beans, red lentils, jars of pasta bake sauce. My thought was brown the veg a bit in a pan, then chuck it with the beans and sauce in the slow cooker this afternoon, then put the pasta in with 45 mins to go or so.
EvilPixie Sep 2022 12:52pm, 16 Sep 2022 35,740 posts	0 EvilPixie try createbakemake.com Fields
Fields Sep 2022 1:03pm, 16 Sep 2022 6,544 posts	0 Fields Thanks - I’ll take a look.
Muttley Sep 2022 3:58pm, 17 Sep 2022 1,844 posts	0 Muttley If you do jacket spuds in the slow cooker do you get crispy skins? I've seen instructions for wrapping them in foil and for just resting in some baking paper but reviews are mixed. I do like a crispy skin. Not if you just put them in the slow cooker. Too much condensation and not enough raw heat. However, I have seen a tip that says rub them with a little olive oil, prick them a couple of times, put them in the slow cooker and place a tea towel over the pot before you put the lid on. This stops condensation and keeps it dry. Cook for 4-6 hours on high. Dunno if it works but this is what I heard.
Little Miss Happy Sep 2022 4:17pm, 17 Sep 2022 6,023 posts	0 Little Miss Happy Thanks Muttley.
Kittenheels Kath Sep 2022 4:55pm, 17 Sep 2022 3,385 posts	0 Kittenheels Kath So does 4-6 hours on high still use less energy than 1 hour in a regular oven? Or is it the being able to leave it unattended for hours which is the valued factor here? I have a slow cooker, but haven't used it for years; tempted to start again, though.
Little Miss Happy Sep 2022 5:28pm, 17 Sep 2022 6,024 posts	0 Little Miss Happy According to the online info the slow cooker will use less energy over eight hours than an oven does in one Kath - plus you have the convenience. No good to me unless I can get a crispy skin though - may as well microwave which will cost even less.
leaguefreak Sep 2022 8:12am, 19 Sep 2022 10,757 posts	0 leaguefreak The real bonus for me is tea being ready when we get in even if we are +/- an hour from the planned time. I did a stewing steak tomato and red wine not stew (youngest hates traditional stew) with some pinto beans for added bulk yesterday. When we got back from hockey/scouting I just chucked some dumplings on top and turned it up to high. By the time we were showered/changed and kits unpacked it was time to dish up. Far better than having to start cooking when cold and knackered.
EvilPixie Sep 2022 8:22am, 19 Sep 2022 35,792 posts	0 EvilPixie How do you get a thick sauce/gravy though?