For someone who enjoys creating things in the kitchen, I don’t have an array of fancy gadgets. Three pots, a couple of fry pans and a whisk seems to have done me fine so far.
When I had the chance to review the new multi-cooker from Crockpot, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. While I’ve heard from people who rave about one-button cooking, the luddite in me still seemingly hasn’t progressed far from the stove.
The Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi Cooker has an individual sauté button, stew button and there’s even a dessert button. That’s my kind of button .
How did I go with unleashing a new piece of technology in the kitchen? Read on to find out.
When I had the chance to review the new multi-cooker from Crockpot, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. While I’ve heard from people who rave about one-button cooking, the luddite in me still seemingly hasn’t progressed far from the stove.
The Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi Cooker has an individual sauté button, stew button and there’s even a dessert button. That’s my kind of button .
How did I go with unleashing a new piece of technology in the kitchen? Read on to find out.
The Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi-Cooker is a 12 in 1 multi-cooker that can do nifty things such as pressure cook, slow cook, steam and sauté. It comes in an XL 7.6 litre version which usually costs $199, but I tried out the more compact 5.7 litre version which retails at $149.
There’s a little cookbook that comes with the Express Crock Multi-Cooker to start you off, which is great because despite there being a yoghurt button, I had a sense that you’d need to do more than just push it in order to get the desired outcome.
Like add ingredients for example.
The Greek yoghurt recipe seemed ridiculously simple. Add the two ingredients of milk and a small amount of yoghurt, whisk (lucky I have one in my minimalist kitchen), and press said button.
I did all of the above and eight hours later I had myself over a litre of yoghurt at a cost of around $1.50.
The yoghurt itself was creamy and had a lovely tang to it, just like Greek yoghurt should. Even my fussy toddler approved of it in her porridge the next morning.
As an aside, here's a piece of free advice for anyone else attempting this recipe- don’t start an eight-hour cooking process at 3pm.
There’s a little cookbook that comes with the Express Crock Multi-Cooker to start you off, which is great because despite there being a yoghurt button, I had a sense that you’d need to do more than just push it in order to get the desired outcome.
Like add ingredients for example.
The Greek yoghurt recipe seemed ridiculously simple. Add the two ingredients of milk and a small amount of yoghurt, whisk (lucky I have one in my minimalist kitchen), and press said button.
I did all of the above and eight hours later I had myself over a litre of yoghurt at a cost of around $1.50.
The yoghurt itself was creamy and had a lovely tang to it, just like Greek yoghurt should. Even my fussy toddler approved of it in her porridge the next morning.
As an aside, here's a piece of free advice for anyone else attempting this recipe- don’t start an eight-hour cooking process at 3pm.
|
|
|
After the success of my yoghurt, I decided to experiment with the “express” part of the Express Crock Multi-Cooker’s abilities. I managed to do this with the help of Poh Ling Yeow who teamed up with Crock-Pot to create a recipe series (check out #WednesdayswithCrockPot for further inspiration).
According to Poh, I could make Sweet Soy Braised Pork Belly in 45 minutes. I trusted Poh, and decided to gave this a crack.
According to Poh, I could make Sweet Soy Braised Pork Belly in 45 minutes. I trusted Poh, and decided to gave this a crack.
|
|
|
After some chopping and mixing of all of the ingredients in the Crock-Pot, I popped on the lid and (you guessed it) pressed a button. The pressure cooker function of the Crock-Pot came to life and in less than an hour I had dinner ready.
The flavours in this dish blended together beautifully, and each mouthful was particularly fragrant with star anise. The rich pork belly went perfectly with a side of soft, steamed rice.
The flavours in this dish blended together beautifully, and each mouthful was particularly fragrant with star anise. The rich pork belly went perfectly with a side of soft, steamed rice.
Despite being a newbie to high-tech in the kitchen, it would be safe to say that I’m keen for more one-touch adventures that create delicious meals. Next on my hit list are short rib ragu fettucini, followed by double chocolate molten puddings.
The Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi Cooker has ousted my toaster to score a permanent place on my kitchen bench top.
I’m quite happy now playing sous chef to the robots.
The Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi Cooker has ousted my toaster to score a permanent place on my kitchen bench top.
I’m quite happy now playing sous chef to the robots.
