converting slow cooker recipes for dutch oven?

Thanks- I think I am just going to bite the bullet and get a slow cooker. I just wish the reviews weren't all so mixed- it seems like it makes no difference what brand something is, there are always a significant number of people saying the pot cooks too hot, the electronics die after a few uses, etc.

aekap in Home Cooking

converting slow cooker recipes for dutch oven?

I have been really wanting to get a slow cooker, but the reviews of even the most expensive ones are mixed at best, and I don't really want to waste the money on something that is going to break after a few uses. I am thinking of trying some clow cooker recipes in my dutch oven instead, but I'm not sure how to convert them. My idea is that I would cook the recipes on the stove for a much shorter period and then put them into the refrigerator to cool once they have cooled off, and just reheat at dinnertime (my issue is that I am home in the mornings for a few hours, but never in the afternoons and I get home at my daughter's dinnertime).

aekap in Home Cooking

help me troubleshoot my cast iron experience

Thanks! Looks like I was expecting too much from it, at least at this point. (oh, fwiw, it was a pre-seasoned pan).

I just got rid of my nonstick skillet when the coating went bad, and was hoping to be done with teflon permanently. I have been debating between plain cast iron, enameled cast iron, and stainless steel, and decided to give the plain cast iron a try since it's so inexpensive (and usa-made- I'm trying to avoid cookware made in China). Does anyone have any experience with the enameled stuff?

aekap in Cookware

help me troubleshoot my cast iron experience

After reading here (and on the cooks illustrated site) about how great cast iron is, and how much like nonstick it can be, I decided to take the plunge and buy a lodge cast iron skillet. I brought it home, oiled it up, preheated it, added some more oil, and tried to make pancakes. It was not successful to say the least- I've never seen anything stick like this. A huge mess.

Where did I go wrong? Does the pan just need to be seasoned some more before I can use it for something like pancakes, or is there some technique I am missing? Thanks!

aekap in Cookware

what size dutch oven?

"Before you decide on getting the huge one, go pick one up - empty! - at a cookware store. "

That's a good point. I was planning on checking out my local LC outlet, so I'll do some lifting and carrying first. There;s also a williams-sonoma outlet around the corner, so I can see what they have, too.

aekap in Cookware

what size dutch oven?

Thanks! I just don't want more than one- I have a very small kitchen, so I want to make sure that whatever size I get won't end up being too small in the long run.

I also make a lot of soup, and this will probably get used for that as well.

aekap in Cookware

what size dutch oven?

I was planning on getting a 5.5 qt, but just found out that we are expecting twins, meaning we will shortly be a family of 5. I have no experience cooking for this many people- will 5.5 qts be large enough? Should I go for the 7 qt?

aekap in Cookware

LC outlet coupons

So I just got my name on the mailing list at my local LC outlet, since I've read that you get "preferred customer" discounts if you sign up. How often do they send these coupons out? I'm sitting on my hands waiting to buy stuff!

aekap in Cookware

replacing my saucepans/skillets

Thanks, everyone!

Based on this and what I've read other places, I think I'm still leaning towards LC for my skillet. I might do plain stainless steel (or more LC, depending on whether I can get a good deal) for my saucepans. I think plain cast iron sounds great, but with a toddler underfoot (and another one imminent), I don't trust myself to be able to always wash the pots and pans as soon as they come off the stove.

I need to look at some prices on saucepans- my impression is that the material for these is not quite as important because you don't have the worry of sticking.

aekap in Cookware