For many years, I have been privvy to hushed discussions from women friends about their love affair with their slow cooker. It has seduced everyone from 'thrifters' (turning cheap cupts of meat into deliciously soft morsels), the busy mother/worker who can just throw everything in and switch it on before she heads off to the work, and the gourmand, who appreciates a slow cooked meal for it's gorgeous flavours and textures. Maybe men also fall in love with their slow cookers, but I've never heard them talk about it.
I love cooking things very slowly, especially when it's wet and cold outside - slow cooked Greek-style lamb and lemon potatoes, hearty soups, subtle stocks. I often only get the time to indulge during weekends, so the thought of actually turning the slow cooker on and leaving it to do its thing during the week was most appealing.
But did I need another appliance I hear you ask? A blender, mixer, toaster, sandwich maker, pie maker and electric grill are all packed into our kitchen cupboards willy nilly. Thankfully, a friend offered to lend me one so I could see what all the fuss was about. Here it is, in all its buxom glory...
Well, I tried to love this cooker, I really did. I gave it three chances - I experimented with two recipes by Sally Wise, the guru of slow cooking - Irish Stew, and Lemon Chicken, as well as a recipe I found on the internet using chicken breasts and vegetables. What went wrong? I couldn't open the lid and stir. Have a bit of a taste. Add a wee bit of this, a tad of that.
I wanted to interact with my slow food. Peeking, stirring, adding - it all let out steam. And that was that. I couldn't do it any more.
Maybe I could have given you another chance, slow cooker. Maybe I was too impatient. But take heart - you are going back home, where I know you are loved and adored.