Naja.....need help with crockpot recipes

[Anonymous]

I know it's a little early to be breaking out the crockpot. I usually use it mainly in the winter as I grill most of the time in the summer.

I need some good lo-carb crockpot recipes. Can you help?

[2big4mysize]

danny some where on the board I have a pork with chilis recipe some one wanted in their thread and a chili one too if that helps.

[Naja]

The basic elements of a good crockpot recipe are as follows. Use any type of red meat that appeals to you. Chicken doesn't do quite as well in really long slow cooking and tends to turn into stringy mush if you don't keep an eye on it.

Cube the meat, dredge it in any seasoning mix you like and brown it in your favorite oil. For the seasoning you can use just dried herbs and garlic or onion powder, or you can use herbs plus some of your favorite low carb flour substitute.

Many vegetables don't do so well added right in with the meat, because they need a shorter cooking time or they can turn the cooking fluid bitter or both. Turnips and cabbage fall into this category, so they should be cooked separately (turnips in a couple of changes of water) and added to the meat 5-10 minutes before serving.

Celery is another good stew addition, but it turns to mush if cooked too long with the meat, so add it 5 to 25 minutes before serving depending on how well done you like your celery. Summer squashes should be added just a few minutes before serving. Hard squashes (which are also moderately high in carbs) take longer cooking and can be put in an hour or so before serving.

You can cook the meat in water, but adding broth makes for a richer flavor.

Rosemary and bacon is a nice combination in a crockpot recipe.

Lamb, tomatoes and fennel is another tasty combo. Tomatoes can be stewed down with the meat, but the fennel should be added in 20-30 minutes before serving. Saute it in butter or oil first for extra flavor. Tomatoes are a higher carb addition so count the portions.

A busy day crockpot recipe involves tossing chunks of meat with chunks of tomato, a can of broth, a dash of garlic powder, a sprinkle of salt and pepper and some water into the crockpot and forgetting about it for a few hours.

[Frelled]

Milhouse, I make pot roast in my crock pot. Just take a roast, drop it in the pot, add the liquid and seasonings of your choice, and set it to low all day. I usually start mine at 7:45 a.m. and it's done and perfectly fall-apart juicy by the time we get home at 5:30. There's just three in my family, so it has the side benefit of lasting for a few lunches as well!