Product Endorsement

[vakkotaur]

This weekend when I was grocery shopping there was a promotional announcement over the P.A. about some new products. Most were, to me, forgettable. One did catch my attention: Slow Cooker Helper (SCH). After a moment of amusement pondering how one would prepare and eat a slow cooker, I went to find the stuff and see just what it was. It looked ideal - seasonings and vegetables that can sit for some time without going bad, possibly in sane amounts for one or two people. If I buy fresh vegetables, the majority of them go bad before I do anything with them. The result: I tend not to buy them, and then don't have them.

There are a few kinds of SCH. One is meant for chicken and includes dumpling mix. There are a couple for beef. One had peas (proof of evolution - a Perfect Being wouldn't do that) so that stayed on the shelf. I bought the kind for pot roast or such that didn't have peas. I also went looking for a suitable cut of meat to go with it. After a while I finally found something, if I cut it in half.

Yesterday I tried the SCH. I cut it back and only used half of what was there. Opening the box seemed a bit of a disappointment at first; it didn't seem like all that much. Inside the box were two packets. One packet had seasonings and sliced dehydrated vegetables (mostly carrots, some celery, maybe something else) and the other had sliced dehydrated potatoes). Getting things started in the morning was simple and quick enough. The most time was spent microwaving a couple cups of water so it'd be hot. At noon the house, or at least the kitchen, already smelled good. In the evening, it was quite inviting.

The only problem was that I overlooked who Helper products are aimed at. They're aimed at families. Families of at least four. Families of at least four who want second helpings. Families of at least four who want second helpings and are willing to deal with leftovers. Remember I used half of the SCH? Even if I'd left the meat out it would have been too much for me. Since I've found that leftovers just rot rather than get eaten, the garbage disposal "ate" rather well last night - after I did. The upside is that SCH is more economical: I can get a few meals from one box of the stuff.

The result, while excessive, was quite good. This morning I started the other half of the meat, and 1/2 to 1/3 of the remaining Slow Cooker Helper stuff going. Hopefully I won't have too much (or too little) tonight. The kitchen did smell good this noon, too.

Comments

[fiddledragon]

*chuckle* and thank you for posting ;)

[chakawolf.livejournal.com]

>One had peas (proof of evolution - a Perfect Being wouldn't do that)

Gah! I feel the same way about corn!

[jmaynard.livejournal.com]

Yes, and I feel the same way about yucky carrots.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Peas are best taken fresh, but I'll take them any way I can get them. And corn. And carrots.

Slow cookers are great, especially for folks who don't care to spend a lot of time in the kitchen but prefer not to eat those packaged frozen yuck meals.

The answer to leftovers is the freezer and the microwave. Most slow cooker dishes freeze very nicely. Get some small freezer containers, pint size for instance. Divide your leftovers up and label with what they are and the date. They will keep for many weeks in the freezer. When you don't feel like cooking just take one out, turn it into a microwave safe covered dish, and nuke for five minutes. Stir, break up remaining frozen lumps, and nuke again until ready (probably another 4-5 minutes). Dinner, ready to eat.

Dealing with the fresh vegetables: Find a place where you can buy in small quantities. Don't buy veggies you don't like, obviously. (Peas?) Make a simple rule. Dinner always includes some fresh produce. This is good health to begin with, whether it's salad or a cooked vegetable. Since you have a microwave available, almost any vegetable can be prepared in minutes. Add a little butter and lemon juice or parmesan, and voila: tasty fast veggies.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Well, I only eat the yummy ones.

[irpooh.livejournal.com]

Equal opportunity - they've been helping hamburger since I was mumble mumble years old. I usually prefer fresh, but this sounds like a useful product to have on the shelf for those winter days when you can't get out or don't want to get out ... one question though ... what does the lable say about sodium content? RDA % or mgs per serving?

Yow!

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Okkay, this stuff isn't to be used very often. The box claims to hold seven serving. A serving has a whopping 630 milligrams of sodium - 28% RDA. And potassium is at 410 milligrams - 19% RDA. And that's not accounting whatever is in the roast, which boosts those already high number a bit more.

I looked at the other Slow Cooker Helper products last night. Unfortunately, all three are contaminated with peas. And since they all have carrots, Jay isn't likely to be too happy with any of them.

It's a good idea, just not executed as well as it could be.

[kiwihunter8.livejournal.com]

easier that slow cooker helper:

1 beef brisket (or 1/2, up to you)
2 cups red wine
1 can beef broth
1 package dried onion soup mix

mix all, put brisket in fat side UP. Cook 10+ hours on low, 8 on high
It's one of the ONLY things I deign to eat leftovers of, cuz it's so yummy. I am a hater of leftovers.

Except there are no vegetables, so I guess that's not too good. If you add them, add them the last hour of cooking. (not whole potatoes though...you'd have to cut them up)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

An hour in my slow cooker would not be enough to get potatoes done, even on high. My suggestion would be to prepare the vegetables separately in the microwave. Only takes 5-10 minutes and saves more of the vitamin goodness.

[kiwihunter8.livejournal.com]

microwave: even better!