Crockpot question...

Jessamine
Jessamine Posts: 226 Member
in Recipes
I am sad that I don't get to use my crockpot more while I'm at work. Maybe I'm not finding the right recipes, but everything I've read so far only needs to cook for 6-8 hours on low. I need recipes that will be fine cooking about 10 hours on low. I work 8 hours, take an hour lunch, and then commute an hour total. 6-8 hours on low isn't enough time for me.

How do you guys make this work?

Replies

  • XtyAnn17
    XtyAnn17 Posts: 632 Member
    Let it cook 10 hours on low, won't hurt
  • g0tr00t
    g0tr00t Posts: 192 Member
    What about one with HIGH, LOW and WARM plus a timer?

    http://www.target.com/p/crock-pot-cook-carry-programmable-slow-cooker-stainless-steel-6qt/-/A-13388361
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    I have a crockpot with a 10 hr setting. It doesn't hurt anything.
  • Pspetal
    Pspetal Posts: 426 Member
    Maybe you could try lentil recipes... Those cook well for 9-10 hours.
    Maybe on a day you're not working you could saute/grill/bake/boil/fry chicken or any other meat in a big quantity and freeze it. Then thaw out some of it, heat it and add to your cooking lentil recipe, so you have a full meal without worrying about the meat overcooking and becoming tough.
    The best option is to probably put all the ingredients into the crockpot right before you sleep and switch it off before you leave for work. That would be 6-7 hours right?
  • Saiklor
    Saiklor Posts: 183
    I've often left stuff meant for 8 hours in for 10 hours and it only ever once hurt something (a dear batch of chili didn't survive).
  • hilarysgiants
    hilarysgiants Posts: 132 Member
    If it is a recipe that has meat in it, I usually put the meat in frozen so that cooking it 10 hrs won't dry it out. Also, I sometimes add a little more water or chicken stock. It works for some recipes, but others it dries it out or dries out at the top. If you can, invest in one that has a timer on it. I had one, but it broke :( So using my old crockpot now. Due to my work hours and commute, most of my crock pot meals are in for 10-11 hrs. Good luck!
  • Bean5
    Bean5 Posts: 84 Member
    A couple of good long cook items are pork roast/shoulder to shred for bbq and all manner of beans. (If you have 12 hours to cook them you can skip the pre-soak--have you seen the recipe on MFP called PD's vegetarian black bean soup--I made it and it was just the best). I also will freeze the scraps of fresh veggies in a gallon baggie and make my own veggie stock out of them when the bag gets full...that can cook forever too.
    When I had a long commute and was gone 10 hours a day I tended to use my crockpot on the weekends to free up my time at the house! :)
  • TONYAGOOCH
    TONYAGOOCH Posts: 470 Member
    Mine has a timer. I can set it for however long on low or high and then when it is done it automatically switches to warm.

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