Slow Cooker/Crock Pot

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leaguefreak Sep 2022 8:27am, 19 Sep 2022 10,760 posts	0 leaguefreak Put less liquid than you think in. I just used a splash of wine to de glaze the pan after browning and then blended a tin of toms with a stock cube. That and the bit of starch from the beans did the trick nicely.
Muttley Sep 2022 8:28am, 19 Sep 2022 1,849 posts	0 Muttley How do you get a thick sauce/gravy though? I've found that a handful of lentils achieves this for pretty much any casserole.
EvilPixie Sep 2022 8:28am, 19 Sep 2022 35,793 posts	0 EvilPixie I’ll try that next time
Fields Sep 2022 8:30am, 19 Sep 2022 6,578 posts	0 Fields I sometimes add some pasta 45 mins before the end to get rid of excess liquid as I don’t like watery stews
Muttley Sep 2022 8:30am, 19 Sep 2022 1,850 posts	0 Muttley Alternatively, some bits of spaghetti broken up into small pieces. Or a little orzo. These and the lentils thicken it up without affecting the taste.
jda Sep 2022 8:33am, 19 Sep 2022 13,415 posts	0 jda LMH, I generally do baked spuds in the microwave and crisp up a bit in the oven together with warming plates or anything else. It is much quicker than cooking in the oven and better than just microwave alone (but maybe not quite as good as 100% oven?).
EvilPixie Sep 2022 8:34am, 19 Sep 2022 35,795 posts	0 EvilPixie Obviously pasta in dry The lentils … just dry from the packet or soaked? Oh I guess pearl barley would work too!
stuart little Sep 2022 8:42am, 19 Sep 2022 2,223 posts	0 stuart little Just throw lentils in ours straight from the packet pix (others may disagree though!). If its still looking thin, pop the lid off for the last half hour or so and it should thicken a bit
EvilPixie Sep 2022 8:44am, 19 Sep 2022 35,797 posts	0 EvilPixie As big gravy fans it’s this that has reduced use so great tips I’ve made bread a few times in it I see some people make “compartments” with foil to do stew and veg separately anyone tried that?
Muttley Sep 2022 8:47am, 19 Sep 2022 1,853 posts	0 Muttley A handful of dry lentils from the beginning. They only take 15 minutes to cook anyway. In a slow cooker or pressure cooker meal they just mush down and thicken up the liquid.