I have a family size pack of chicken thighs I intend on chopping up, glazing in teriyaki and serving with rice. Unfortunately, I broke my large baking dish on accident the other night and my next smallest is way too small. I was thinking about putting them in my crock pot with a bit of broth, but I'd have to layer them or chop them up before hand. I'd prefer not to chop them up and just layer them in there but I'm worried they wouldn't cook all the way through.

I’m trying to make dehydrated chicken feet/paws. I found the steps and settings to dehydrate them on racks in my crock pot but now that I finally have the paws, I can’t find the information at all. I need to know if it should be on low or high (assuming low), for how long and do I need to add anything (besides dog safe oil; plus how much oil?) to the chicken, pot or racks?

I am just dehydrating them for my dog to eat as treats. Any advice would be amazingly appreciated. Thank you!

I’m working on a special project for my best friend’s birthday, and I could use your help! She’s gluten- and lactose-intolerant, and the idea is to make a personalized cookbook that’s practical, full of recipes, snacks, and tips she can actually enjoy without worrying about her intolerances.

She loves food but doesn’t always have the time or energy to cook, so I want this book to be a mix of easy, affordable ideas and some fun, indulgent meals. Since she doesn’t stick to a gluten- or lactose-free diet perfectly, I’m including cheat sections, too, with clear notes on what might cause issues.

Handwritten in a nice, organized notebook, she's lived with it for a long while, but I figured it would be a nice gift and a nice way to mix up her normal routine. I am not to educated in this sorta thing so any info if it a tip, an idea, or a full recipe, please feel free to reply or pm me.

The Plan

1. Cover Page & Introduction

This will include:

• A letter to her explaining the gift.
• A table of contents listing all the sections.

2. Cheat Sheet Section

Helpful facts and tips to make life easier:

• Gluten- and lactose-free alternatives for common ingredients.
• Foods people think are gluten- or lactose-free but aren’t—and surprising ones that are
• A list of shelf-stable and easy-to-find store-bought options in Canada she ca stock up and have on hand

3. Snacks & Quick Meals

A section of gluten- and lactose-free snack ideas and quick meals she can whip up when time is short. I’ll also include late-night lazy options, cozy/comfort, movie night, hangover cures, and good lunches. The focus here is on time.

4. Gluten- & Lactose-Free Dinners

Nice filling dinner recipes that range from quick and easy to more elaborate meals for when she’s feeling motivated. That she can rely on for herself and when cooking for others, I've heard gluten free stuff doesn’t taste near as good but I'm sure some people have some go to favorites.

5. Gluten Cheat Section

Sometimes you eat the gluten and deal with it later. These recipes will be lactose-free but not gluten-free, organized by estimated prep time and “severity” (how much gluten is in it, on a rough 1–5 scale). Snacks, lunches, dinner.

6. Lactose Cheat Section

For when skipping lactose isn’t a priority. These recipes will be gluten-free but not lactose-free, also organized by prep time and severity. Snacks, lunch, dinner.

7. Desserts/Baking

A mix of gluten- and lactose-free desserts, plus cheat options for when she wants something indulgent. Baking isn’t a huge focus for her, so this section will be smaller but still have a few fun ideas. Also, might throw some cocktails or something here, maybe recommended for some meals.

The Recipe Format

Each recipe will include:

• Title
• Quick Info:
  • Gluten-free/lactose-free status.
  • Estimated prep time and total time.
  • For cheat recipes, a 1–5 severity scale for gluten or lactose content.
• Ingredients List: Ingredients will be listed clearly, with the ingredient followed by its amount for easy reading. Example:
  • Baking soda: 1 tbsp
  • Gluten-free flour: 2 cups
  • Sugar: 3 tbsp
• Instructions: Simple step-by-step directions.
• Photo Placeholder: I’ll leave a spot to print and paste a picture of the dish.

What I need help with

I’m planning to do plenty of research myself and compile everything over the winter break and start to write it would in the following months, but I’d love suggestions from anyone who’s gluten- or lactose-intolerant or knows great recipes.

Do you have:

• Easy, filling recipes or meal ideas (snacks, dinners, desserts, etc.)?
• Tips for shopping or meal prep?
• Favorite gluten- or lactose-free brands or products available in Canada?
• Anything helpful or info on your mind
• Ideas of info I should subtly get out of her to make the book better

Please reply or reach out and I'd love to hear it, nothing is too small. I'm probably going to use a nice notebook that’s a size B6 or an A4 with 80 pages so I got a lot of space to fill out, I will leave a few pages in each section for her to fill out if she has some go to meals she wants to include in it too. I'll probably check back here in a while with an update

TL;DR

I’m making a personalized gluten- and lactose-free cookbook for my friend’s birthday. It’ll include recipes, tips, and cheat sections for when she’s okay with bending the rules. Looking for easy, affordable, and practical meal ideas, snacks, and Canadian store-bought recommendations. Let me know if you have any recipes, tips, or products that could help!

Anyone have a recipe for a quick and easy recipe, that is picky eater friendly, that uses kielbasa in the slow cooker? Was wanting to do something different than BBQ weenies using it.

I'm bringing a slow-cooker chili to a pot luck on Friday night. The recipe calls for 8 1/2 hours of cooking. Due to timing issues, my options are to (1) start cooking before bed on Thursday, meaning it will be cooking 16 hours by the time the party starts; or (2) start cooking about 9am on Friday, meaning that it will be cooking maybe 7 - 7 1/2 hours before the party starts. Which do you all recommend?

This is the recipe. FWIW, it involves sweet potatoes. Thanks for the advice. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021554-slow-cooker-spicy-black-bean-and-sweet-potato-chili

I love my slow cooker, but I'm trying to get a non-cooker in my life to love the slow cooker too. I've been trying to research cookbooks, but reviews are always mixed.

Anybody have a favorite cookbook for those with limited culinary skills?

Thanks in advance.

I’ve seen recipes that add the beans (canned) at the beginning of the 8 hour cooking and add others that add them towards the end in the last two hours of cooking. What version do you recommend? Thanks!

2lbs ground venison 3 bell peppers A ton of white potatoes 5 sweet potatoes 3 acorn squash 1 onion Cans of beans galore. What would you make with any/all of this?

Having a shindig at work next week that involves a pot luck and was hoping to get some use out of my 3-headed slow cooker. Each insert is maybe 2 quarts (not really sure). Does anyone know of a food safe metal basket that would fit small oval (or round) inserts to hold food above the boiling water in the bottom? I’m thinking of doing some vegetable mix like cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots in one of them. I think a strainer would fit the 2-header with round inserts.

Looking to get the absolute MOST protein and gains out of my new slow cooker. Would love any recipe suggestions or put-ons.

Hello everyone,

Quick question, looking at recipe videos, they just throw the salt, pepper, cumin,etc. Right on top and then close the lid and leave it be. There isn't a need to stir/evenly coat things before cooking with a crockpot? Or is stirring of these ingredients done at the end of the cook time?

Anyone else's 7 qt crockpot does this? See the slight gap between the insert and the base. It's been fine for me so far, but should I look into replacing it? Any safety issues to be concerned about?

Hello,

Curious if anyone can offer insight or advice for how I should do this. Work is hosting a holiday lunch potluck and I offered to make pulled pork sliders (I love making pulled pork in the slow cooker, plus its so easy). The thing is, I usually like to let it cook on low for at least 10 hrs, which won't give me enough time from wakeup to lunch time for it to cook.

Therefore, I was thinking I would cook it the day prior, let it sit in the fridge (cooler, not freezer) overnight and then somehow reheat it the day-of.

Would this work? What would be best way to reheat it? Just put it back in slow cooker for a few hrs at work? What else? Thanks all.

I’m making the mushroom soup this year for our Slovak Christmas Eve. Has anyone ever made this in the crockpot? It’s lots o mushrooms, onion, sauerkraut and butter and flour to thicken. Plus anci de Pepes ( tiny pasta) and barley if wanted.

It is currently frozen. I'd usually just throw it in with some broth, potatoes and veggies, but if like to try something different!

I moved into a new place in October. Kitchen all to myself. Was so excited to get back into my crockpot game.

The first thing I made, a stew, was decent. Every single thing I’ve made since has been such a bummer! Pasta sauces, stews, a thanksgiving thing, even a simple bone broth. What is happening? Maybe I’m just not into Wet Veg/Meat??

Sad lol

So, I made The Soup: creamy spinach chicken tortellini.

I would rate it as above average. It was quite good, dense, I did add a bit of extra salt but not much. I prefer the beef stew I make in my slow cooker- but I like beef over chicken.

Looking for some low calorie slow cooker recipes for the winter. I’ve done stew, and deconstructed cabbage rolls so far.

This is gulasch. My first attempt. I'll post the recipe in the comments. It's looking good, but I'm worried that I don't have room for the potatoes and carrots that are supposed to be added later. I'm looking for advice. Many thanks to all

Definitely too full, hoping it cooks through.

Hi, hoping someone can help. My husband made Pulled pork overnight on using "less" heat & not "normal" heat.

Can we save the meat, it came straight from the fridge prior to pot & was in the pot for 6 hours on less.

Can we switch to normal to cook it through or cook via pressure cooker mode, to save? or is it a loss?

It’s a chilly morning and I woke up early. Threw this in the slow cooker. Delish!

Steel cut oats Milk

To taste: Cranberries Chia seeds Mashed banana Vanilla extract 100% maple syrup Cinnamon Nutmeg

Two hours on high.

Figured I'd use the crockpot to make this simple. I'm assuming the carcass is only good for making stock and then using that for the chilli.

It seems like Christmas day is the perfect time to be able to slow cook dinner for the family. Anyone have a favorite recipe or idea to share for Christmas cooking?

It’s not vibing well with me, but I tend to be overly cautious. It’s pork loin with an expiration date of 12/21. Been in my fridge for a day. I opened it and it didn’t smell great, but it didn’t have a scent or look to it that screamed it was rotting. Sometimes I can just smell the meat more, but this did make me pause and wonder if it was an okay smell. It was not pleasant, but not the worst.

Put it in my slow cooker on high (I was going to do high for the first hour) in sugar free root beer. I’ve done this many times to make pulled pork.

It just developed gross dark foam within 10 minutes. It is quite fatty. I don’t know. I’m feeling like I want to toss it. 😬