The: I'm broke and prefer to smoke but gotta eat on the cheap crock pot thread

If you're lucky, I'll remember to take a picture before I dig in

 

Been a while (three months or so since we've had internet...)

I typically slow cook cold weather/winter meals. Chili, chicken and dumplins, haluski... I cant say I do too much warm weather cooking in the crock. Since summers here in SW Utah will be hot-damn hot- in the 90s nearly daily, anyone have good summertime recipes they do in the crock?

 

We do lasagna in the crockpot (beats heatin the whole house with the oven on durin the summer) my wife did one today but put a can of tomatoes in it along with the marinara so it turned out more like lasagna soup but it was still really good.

 

Kahlua pork, sprinkle 1.5 tablespoons of kosher salt on a pork shoulder and 1-2 tablespoons of liquid smoke, cook on low for 6-8 hours or till the bone comes out cleanly...make a side of beans, mac or potato salad or mac and cheese, and some slaw. Pull or chop the pork shoulder up and serve on a toasted bun

 

Looks yummy! But I dont know... I make a pretty mean lasagna and Im not sure I was to tinker with making it in the crock.

 

Vichyssoise

 

Bless you.

I do bread in the crock sometimes during the summer, when it's too hot to turn the oven on. Mostly during the summer I just grill or eat food that's good cold, though.

 

Most nights it cools down into the 60's around here during the summer, but that doesn't do you any good while you're actually in the kitchen cooking supper.

 

Momentary off-topic:
What part of Southern Utah are you in, Cuffs? Actually in Zion?
I just got back from a vacation out that way, stayed at Brian Head and hit Zion, Capitol Reef & Escalante, Glen Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Hoover dam/Lake Mead Nat. Rec area, Arches (which was a mistake). Even managed to fit in some skiing and day drinking, too.

 

Wife has a recipe she uses for them. She hasn't perfected it yet though.

 

I need a good chili recipe.

 

So do you "follow" a lasagna recipe but throw it all in the crock?

 

Pretty much. Meat/sauce, cheese, noodles repeat until ur out cover with mozz and parm and dont let the noodles touch the edge or they will burn

 

Sounds easy and tasty.

 

Plugs brah
https://youtu.be/C0tMzj-Qx_c

 

Bookmarked!

 

Up until this past Thursday, yes, we actually lived inside Zion. Just closed on our house that’s just outside the south entrance. Finally done moving for a while! Five times in eight months was just too much!

 

Have you done much hiking inside the park? We did Angel's Landing, Weeping Rock, and the Emerald Pools, and took the stroll up through the Temple of Sinawava on the day we went. Angel's landing was an amazing view, but F those chains. I'm afraid of heights, and the slippery sandstone coupled with literally hanging on for dear life was not the most fun part of our trip (for me; she didn't mind because she has no reasonable sense of self-preservation)

 

I think I’ll try some bread! Nothing tastes (or smells) better than fresh bread.

Totally agree.

Meeeee!

I have a easy basic one that can be tweaked to your tastes.

 

This is the recipe I use; it's not quite as good as fresh oven-cooked, but still pretty damn good, and much better than heating the house up.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour (more may be needed)
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 packet instant yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or rosemary

Instructions

1. In the mixer using the dough hook, place the warm water, 1 teaspoon sugar, and the yeast. Mix lightly and cover for 5 minutes for yeast to activate
2. When the mixture starts to bubble add the rest of the ingredients
3. Mix on medium speed for 5-6 minutes or until dough becomes soft and elastic
4. Shape into a loaf and sprinkle salt on top (optional if you like a salty taste)
   
   
5. Line slow cooker with parchment paper
6. Place dough inside and cover
7. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour to 1 hour and a half
8. Check the bottom to see if the bread is completely cooked (bottom should be browned)
9. Place the loaf of bread under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to brown (optional)
10. Enjoy!