I am so smitten with my crock pot. Last year, the Boy and I bought one of those big, fancy ones with the meat thermometer, a compass in the stock and a thing which tells time. Okay, okay, not the compass – it was made by Hamilton Beach or something, not Red Ryder. Anyway, we made stew in it once and it fell apart. And so did my dreams. But then a couple weeks ago, we decided it was time – we’d gotten over our bitter disappointment and were ready to try again. This time, though, we went basic. Very basic. 2 quarts. 2 setting. Just exactly what two people need. And life has never been heartier.
Like right now, it’s at home making pot roast, my wee little crock pot built for two. After boot camp, I chopped up some veggies, tossed in some beef, and when I came home at lunch to walk Sir Crapsalot, I opened the door to the most glorious smell this side of Quaker Instant Maple & Brown Sugar oatmeal. Don’t pretend you don’t know. My coworker eats it. I get a little drooly because it smells like Sunday morning when I was 12, uninformed about such things as carbohydrates and diabetes, and maple syrup was my bitch.
One of the greatest gifts the crock pot has brought is the gift of vegetable variety. The Dork Lord, he is strictly a green bean and broccoli guy. No squash, no asparagus. Spinach? The horror! But since the crock pot lends itself so well to soup-making, I’ve started throwing all sorts of vegetables in and letting the crock pot do its thing. You know, as in making things soft and mushy and disguising specific flavors under one heavenly broth. In the last week we have added cabbage, zucchini and Brussels sprouts to the rotation with unprecedented success. There’s a weird kind of personal satisfaction that comes from sponsoring improved colon health.
That, or the excitement level in my life needs some serious attention.
I love Quaker Instant Maple & Brown Sugar oatmeal!! Also, I’ve had a crock pot for a year and never actually used it. I think you’ve inspired me…
If you love the crock pot you NEED the cook book, “Fix it & Forget it lightly”. I promise I have no reason to pimp this out other then my great love of the original, “Fix it & forget it” which is only surpassed by the light one. I can honestly say in the winter I think I eat very little that doesn’t come from that wonderful book!
Bell
That sounds delicious. Sadly, I don’t think they make a crock pot for one.
I have the “you think this tastes good now but just wait until you have eaten it for eight consecutive meals” model.
Another good crock pot book to check out is by Chef Laura Frankel–don’t let the kosher aspect of the recipes scare you off–this is slow cooker gourmet. Awesome and delicious recipes http://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Cooker-Recipes-Laura-Frankel/dp/0470260890/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257802051&sr=8-1
Thanks, Fish!
You’ve inspired me to get my little Crock out! (I actually forgot I had one, as it’s been a long while since I’ve used it. Thanks for the reminder.)
Crockpot ho over here, yo! Love mine to bits and pieces. It’s my summer “I don’t feel like grilling” cooking device. It’s my winter “I want something rich & savory & full of root veggies” cooking device. If I had to choose between it and my microwave….well, I’d probably choose the microwave, but then I’d go right out and buy another crockpot!
My husband wants me to wish you, “happy rectal health!”
Heh. I’ve been married for 5 years now, and it still gives me little tingles of joy everytime Joe gobbles up all of the foods he swore he *hated* when we were dating. Pretty much he swore he didn’t like any vegetables unless they were raw (i.e. a veggie tray with ranch dip or a salad). But now he loves everything from lightly steamed green beans to roasted winter squashes. The only things I haven’t been able to convince him on are broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. I’ve also prevailed on sushi, Indian food (homemade naan will get them every time), and casseroles. Okay, so maybe I’m a little bit of a horrible person. Because a big part of the reason for my glee is because he disliked many foods only because his prior experience of them was the way his mom made them, and my mother in law, she is a terrible cook. He’ll be the first to say it, and she’d be the second, so there’s that. But still a little bit horrible to gloat, isn’t it?
DiaryofWhy, they most certainly make crock pots for one. Or rather, they make 1.5Qt crock pots. Amazon has them, as well as books like “Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Recipes for Two: For the Small Slow Cooker”
Fish, once you’ve left the honeymoon period with the crock pot I invite you to join me in the joy of pressure cookers. I’m new to it myself, but was completely fished in when I got potatoes cooked soft enough to mash with 8 minutes of cooking. Yeah, it took a few minutes to get up to pressure but it was less time than waiting for water to boil.
1. go see this website: crockpost365.blogspot.com this woman is a crazy genius who used her crockpot every day for a year. wow.
2. i think i have that same crockpot, and it’s amazing and i used it today, and it really is built for two. sometimes 2.5 (which means leftovers for me for lunch. score.)
love love love my crockpot.
I too love my crock pot – although we call em slow-cookers over here
I found even more delight when my facebook friends informed me that I didn’t even need to brown my meat before chucking it in. Oh the joy of one pot cooking!
Yay! My husband and I just discovered the wonders of the crock pot last week. We are cereal-for-dinner kind of people, but when the Cock Pot was described to us as a cooking tool for The Lazy and Uninspired we decided to give it a whirl. I’m totally sold. Today we will be returning to the aroma of Thai Coconut Curry Chicken. I can hardly wait…
Aaah!! I LOVE my crockpot. Best thing ever is a whole chicken (you can get them at a normal grocery store for about $7) and drop it in the crockpot in the morning (i’ve even put mine in totally frozen), filling it about 1/3 full with water/broth, whatever, throw in some onions & garlic cloves… and 8hrs later, huala! the most amazing chicken ever. So glad you gave your crockpot a second chance!!
I had no idea there were so many recipes that called for a crockpot ! I’m going to use mine way more often now.
I only catch bits of your blog now that I have it bookmarked, and only now caught a bit of back and forth about a vomit remark, however, what I most pick up on is your cookware! Silly, isn’t it? I am single though, and ok with it…but be aware that I am much older than you and a lot of women in IVillage. Sometimes one just gets relaxed about finding a partner “If it happens great, if it doesn’t happen, my life is fine too either way” sort of thing…I love to cook, single or not, and love my cookware also. Did you cook in nice cookware when you were on your own? You love your crockpot and I love my All Clad! Good Luck to you.
You’ve inspired me to get a Crock Pot Fishie!
I am completely obsessed with crockpots and I finally went out and bought one of my own yesterday. I plan on buying dozens of crockpot cookbooks and vow to be the greatest crockpot chef in all of the land
You are so right. My crock pot has been a life saver and the weather is just right for it.
I thought this was the “Single Life” blog? All I saw when I got onto your site was blog posts about you and your boyfriend.
I’m sorry if it was misleading, Jai. But the title is not my doing, nor can I change it.