http://alisonslife-in-the-slow-lane.blogspot.com/ Life in the Slow Lane: Learn Something New Every Day (LSNED) Day 1

Thursday 1 September 2011

Learn Something New Every Day (LSNED) Day 1

The lovely Shimelle  has a new (for me!) class starting today. For more info on it, check THIS POST.


There are many ways to approach and record the responses to the daily prompts, and I have decided that blogging is going to be my best option. This is mainly because I have realised that I am either away, or have houseguests for most of this month! I am hoping that I will be able to blog  about something I have learned (with a photograph), each day...and maybe be able to create something more tangible at a later date- though no  promises about that!


So for today:



I received my shiny, new slowcooker (crockpot) and learned that I cannot simply just throw ingredients into it ....it would appear that you actually have to brown your meat before putting it in! I was always under the impression that you literally just placed things in it and switched it on! Tomorrow I am going to cook chili in it, as DH and DD both arrive home tomorrow night-and they just don't appreciate salad as much as I do!

I also learned that my weight stayed the same this week!

Thanks for dropping by!
Take care of you
Alison xx

P.S. If you want to be entered into the draw for 'PASS THE BOOK', please leave a comment  at the end of THIS post!

20 comments:

  1. I love my slow cooker, I'm planning on using it loads through the winter, it'll be a great time saver too with having 2 small ones in the house. Do share any good recipes you have. I mostly brown my meat first but didn't think it was always nessecary, just if you prefer the taste.

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  2. I had a slow cooker when we were first married, used it a lot and then it sat in the cupboard for years and years and and I literally threw it out this summer! Yours looks lovely and shiny! I like your idea of blogging LSNED - looking forward to reading your blog posts :) I managed to put a pound on this week, but then I did go to Cornwall for the weekend and had clotted cream on an icecream, so it is my own fault!

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  3. I love my crockpot for those days I'll be really busy. I can throw everything in the pot in the morning and it will be ready at dinnertime. Sometimes I brown the meat, but mostly I just throw it in there and let it cook down all day (depends on what I'm making).

    Looking forward to sharing in your learning each day this month!

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  4. My OH uses a crockpot a lot....and he never browns the meat.....and it's always delicious.....give it a go!

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  5. Another dan of the slow cooker here, but I never brown things first. I just chuck it all in, switch it on and enjoy the meal later in the day.

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  6. I love my slow cooker you can chuck in chicken without browning it off, sausages are ok but then you get all the fat with it too, so i cook mine, in the george forman or drain them & then use a slow cooker recipe, have fun!!!

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  7. I have to say that I am a lazy chef. I NEVER brown my meat first LOL and it always works out fine. I tried it once to see if the end result was any different, but it wasn't so I never did it again. The only time this changes is on the odd occasion when I cook a pot roast in it. Then i do quickly brown the whole roast as it does help keep it moist on the inside. But for chunks of meat and mince I never brown it :-)

    I miss my crockpot. I can't find which box it is packed in to unpack it! And I am not unpacking every box to then just repack them all ... I am not a fan of packing.

    Well done on staying the same weight, to me that is just as good as loosing some :-)

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  8. Alison, I'm with you all, I love my slow cooker. I always brown my meat, but I have heard you don't need to, I'm going to try it! Good luck with blogging LSNED. I blogged it 2 years ago, and did a small album last year. I'm not doing it this year.

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  9. Hi Alison, I LOVE my slow cooker, our old one broke (heating element) and we got now a new one which I've yet to try out. :)

    As for the browning of the meat - errrr... I've got a recipe for Greek Beef and I only browned the meat once really... it worked out fine, so agree with the other posters on here. :)

    Enjoy LSNED - I still have to make my first entry and today's too! ;)

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  10. I've not yet browned the meat once and so far all has been good ... throw caution to the wind and chuck it all in I say!

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  11. Totally agree with you about blogging being the best way to keep up - I tend to think that at the moment too !

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  12. I love my slow cooker - I think it is the scrapbookers secret weapon! You should have a look at some of the slow cooker recipe sites about. Crockpot 365 is a great one

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  13. I love my slow cooker too but I never brown the meat first

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  14. I love my slow cooker and I never brown my meat. One of my favorite slow cooker recipes is to put 4 chicken breast in and cover with a jar of salsa. Cook on low 6-8. Shred chicken. Use in chicken tacos, pita sandwiches or in salad. Easy, quick, yummy!

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  15. Loving the sound of the chilli (if it was vegetarian).

    I've heard that if you don't lose weight, you're probably losing inches instead. Apparently you don't usually lose both at the same time :/ ??

    Thanks for the comment on my blog. There are crops, but I can't afford to go to them until I get a job. One day :) xx

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  16. Just came across this recipe and thought of you. Quickest prep I have ever seen LOL

    http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/2011/06/crock-pot-hawaiian-bbq-chicken.html

    P.S. no browning required :-)

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  17. Hi Alison
    My dad always used a slow cooker creating lovely homely meals - he just put everything in - yummee! It's a 'slow cooker' day here in Whitley Bay. Can you stew fruits such as apples? as I've loads of windfalls. enjoy.

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  18. I love my slow cooker too, although I dont use it as often as I could. I dont brown anything just stick it all in, turn it on and go to work. When I get home I make rice/pasta and eat!

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  19. Oooh that looks like a lovely gadget! We have one that goes on the stove, with the lid with the steam release hole - so quick & the meat always so tender!!

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  20. Thank you for this post! I've got some great ideas for using my crock pot again. If I find any great slimming recipes then I will be sure to pass them on to you!

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Thanks for leaving a comment....I love reading them all!