anyone uses slow cooker here? I came very close to buying one today but I am not sure of few things. It scares me to think that I leave an appliance on for hours, specially when noone is home. Not sure if this is very safe way to cook food but I see them advertised everywhere and they look very appealing.
Re: Slow Cooker
Well we have slow cooker and at times we have left it on with food in while were out. It is pretty safe. The only thing is that we use our slow cooker maybe like 3-5 times in a year. So I hope people who use it more often will be able to give you a better review.
Re: Slow Cooker
Slow cooker seems like a useless appliance for most desi dishes. I got 1 as a gift and havent used it yet but I think I'll use it to keep food warm in dawats.
Re: Slow Cooker
^^ yeah we mostly use it to keep mostly salans warm on dawats or keep bbqed stuff warm....
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Why can we not use it to cook plain rice ?
I have been thinking to buy one lately. We consume lots of plain rice with different desi dishes.
Re: Slow Cooker
For rice buy a rice cooker, slow cooker might end up making your rice mushy....
For rice buy a rice cooker, slow cooker might end up making your rice mushy....
Oh ok, yes I mixed up rice cooker with a slow cooker , so they are two different animals ?
In that case please tell me if there is something wrong with rice cooker ? I have not seen any desi using it though.
Re: Slow Cooker
^^ One of my mom's friend (a desi aunty lol) makes rice in the rice cooker all the time and her rice comes out amazing. She make plain boil rice, biryani, and pulao..all in rice cooker. I guess all you need to do find what water rice ratio works best for your rice cooker.
Re: Slow Cooker
I LOVE my slow cooker (crock-pot)! when foods are cooked at low temps for such a long time, the meat is so tender that it melts like butter in your mouth. Its really divine :)I never worried too much about leaving it unattended but I guess that should be a concern. But really, as long as you have proper wiring, if it should malfunction then the circuit would pop and it would just shut off. OR you can put the meal together in the evening, let it cook all nite long then just take it out and put in the refrigerator till dinnertime, reheat and enjoy.
Re: Slow Cooker
as far as typically desi dishes are concerned, slow cookers are a no no, u cannot add yogurt or masalas to it because it totally curdles it (firshand experience) because of the long cooking time at moderate heat. u can make casseroles and roasts in it, but i find the flavour is lacking, too bland for desi taste since it cooks in its juices so no room for masala. the only thing that turned out ok in it was haleem! i put the boneles meat with shaan haleem masala and daals all together, left it and it was all cooked well together, just had to use a hand chopper to grind it all in the end.
Re: Slow Cooker
Wouldn't be without my slow cooker - perfect for cooking meats that are full of flavour and literally melt in your mouth.
Re: Slow Cooker
thanks guys for great reviews :)
Very true that this is not for desi cooking.
I noticed with pressure cooker or quick stirr frying the beef, its texture changes and it becomes harder. I guess each style of cooking is good and slow cooker is one of them. I will need to find some good recipes If am going to buy one. :) I definitely want to make something which will make the meat so tender.
Re: Slow Cooker
my mom uses a rice cooker and her rice always comes out great... except for that small layer on the bottom that's always burnt. She urges me to use it as well, but its sitting on my cupboard b/c I 'd rather do it the old fashioned way first... =/
Who says slow cookers are not for desi cooking. We have been using ours for years and we usually cook things over night...so, no worries about leaving them on while one is away from home. My ammi cooks payay, nihari, haleem in it often. I personally use it for making kheer all the time. I have made pot roast in it several times and also have used it for boiling big batches of kidney beans and chickpeas. Infact, i was going to make deghi beef qorma in it this weekend but made qeema mashed potato pies instead for a dinner party.