Roadpro have a TRAVEL CROCK POT that plugs into a 12v socket.  This has a 1.5 quart removable stoneware crock, stretch cord and a glass lid.  It sells for under $30.  This is a good option because you probably would have a 12 v socket spare in your truck or RV or  you can plug it into your cigarette lighter/accessory outlet in the car.

There are also crock pots that use gas cylinders.  Coleman Road Trip Propane Slow Cooker has a lot of mixed reviews on the net so the jury is out at the moment on it being a good slow cooker but for heating it would be perfect.  It uses a 1lb disposable propane bottle and has a large 6 quart size crock and what I like about it is that it has a locking lid for when traveling.  The cost is around $78.

If you are out on a sporting event for the day and want to heat your food or keep it hot rather than cook it then the portable crock pot is perfect.  You can use it for hot dogs, dips, chili or any food you have cooked beforehand.

Summary: The advantage as I see it of the Coleman Road Trip Slow Cooker is that it is larger so you can cook for a crowd, when you don't have a 12v outlet, and that you use it also as a regular cooker. I think the Roadpro Travel Crock Pot though would get my vote for overall use for slow cooking results, the price is really good and I think I would prefer to plug it in than use the gas cylinders.

If you have used these crock pots please let me know how you have used them and how well did the food cook.

If you don't like olives you can leave them out but maybe give them a try and you might be surprised at the wonderful taste it gives this dish.  This is another crock pot meal ideal for Pot Luck parties.

Osso Bucco with olives

Coat meat in the flour and heat the oil in a large heavy pan and brown the meat for a few minutes each side.  Transfer to the crock pot.  Add onion and garlic to the pan cook for 1 minute then add the carrot and celery and cook for another 2 minutes.  Add the tomatoes, puree, red wine and stock.  Stir thoroughly until blended well and pour over the meat in the crock pot.

Cook on low for approximately 6 hours.  Add the sun dried tomatoes and olives in the last hour.  Stir in the lemon juice and thicken the gravy if needed before serving.  Serve with mashed potato or polenta.

I have shared this recipe with my girlfriends over the years as I have found women especially love this recipe and it is one anyone, even a novice cook, can make.

Paulineh's Vegetarian Curry

Heat the oil and add the onion, cook until soft then add the flour and then the curry paste.  Cook for a further minute, stirring all the time, then add most of the stock.  Continue to stir until sauce thickens.  If too thick use the rest of the stock. Add the vegetables and stir through, then add it all to the crock pot slow cooker.

Cook for 6 hours on low (check to see vegetables are cooked but are not falling apart).  Serve with rice or poppadoms.  Serves 4.

Notes: * I haven't specified how much vegetables you should use as this will vary with what the vegetables are and what size you cut them into .  As a guide I used about 5 cups.

Variations: You can add a small can tomatoes, chick peas or some frozen peas in the last 15 minutes before serving.  You can also add about 1/2 cup coconut milk for a different taste and add this just before serving.

If you haven't found that lid, recipe book or crock pot cake pan then this is the place to look.

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You could substitute peaches if you like them better than apricots and use brandy instead of cognac.  If you don't like the taste of cognac or brandy then you can add more orange juice but I encourage you to use the cognac for a wonderful taste sensation and to make the dessert a little more special.

In a microwave jug dissolve the brown sugar and water for approximately 30 seconds.  Add the honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, juices and cognac.  Microwave another minute.  Stir well and add to crock pot base.  Add the drained apricots and stir through gently, trying not to break them up.  Cook on low for 2 hours and let cool in the crock pot.

Remove the clove before serving.  Makes around 4 - 5 servings.  This Decadent Cognac Apricot recipe is great served warm with custard or cold with cream or ice cream.  Store any left over servings in the refrigerator when cool.

NOTE:  You could even have this apricot dish as a breakfast,  served  cold with yogurt for a bit of luxury or to impress your house guests.  Its so easy to cook in the crock pot slow cooker, just cook the night before for a wonderful Sunday breakfast.

One of the advantages of the crock pot is that it is very efficient when it comes to the use of energy. You can guarantee that cooking for a crowd can be done cheaply and you wont heat your kitchen up either in summer.  All you need to do is to load it with all the raw ingredients of your crock pot dinner, set and forget. This allows you to save a lot of money and to eat healthier food than buying out.

If you also have other things to do within the day (of course you have) then you can simply leave the crock pot and let it cook on its own.  If you have a large family, you can cook a hearty meal for them without having to overstress yourself in the kitchen.  You can get all your washing or ironing done while it cooks (OK that's not a great example but a reality).  Many crock pots are large enough to cook for 6- 8 people and you stretch that number by serving extra vegetables or pasta so you can cook for a crowd of 10 if needed.

Because you are cooking in one pot this saves washing up and using lots of pans on your cooker. You can even get the kids to cook a meal knowing they cant burn themselves or the house down.  Crock pot dinners for a large family are just so easy on the cook and on the budget as well.  Happy cooking in your crock pot in the future.

Buy in bulk or when on special

You don't have to be a big family to benefit but you will need a big enough freezer or pantry cupboard to cope with this method of cooking on a budget.  This includes meat and vegetables and make sure to prepare them properly for the freezer or for bottling and canning.   When you find groceries you use often  ''on special' then buy them up too.  Items like canned tomatoes and beans are two that I stock up on.

Buy vegetables and fruit that is in season

The cheapest and most flavorsome fruits and vegetables are the ones in season.  Adjust your crock pot recipes to include those vegetables that are in season only.  This keeps the costs down so you achieve cheap easy meals for your family whatever season it is.

Cook more than you need for one meal

If you are cooking for 4 then cook for 8 and freeze one meal for another time.  This saves energy and the preparation time is almost the same.  The crock pot slow cooker is great for cooking on a budget for this very method as it is big enough to cook for batches or large families.

Buy cheaper cuts of meat

Cheap easy meals don't have to have expensive cuts of meat when you use your slow cooker as the slow cooking method tenderizes and improves the quality overall of these cuts.

Carbohydrates are fillers

When cooking on a budget in the slow cooker use potato, pumpkin and pasta to thicken your soups and casseroles and adds bulk to fill those hungry stomachs but still providing cheap easy meals.

Make one meal into two

A good example of this is when I cook my slow cooker meatloaf.   Any I have left over is made into a spaghetti sauce for another meal.  Just add cooked spaghetti and you are set.  Use broths from cooking chicken to make a great a base for a  soup or just add noodles for an instant one for the kids.

Cooking on a budget isn't as difficult as you thought now is it so get out your crock pot and save lots of money in the long run. Also check out a great book from Amazon called Everything Meals on a Budget Cookbook: High-flavor, low-cost meals your family will love (Everything Series) for some great recipe ideas.

Crock Pot Slow Cooker Beef with Red Wine Stew

Coat meat in flour and brown meat in oil.  Remove and put aside.  Add to the pan the onions, carrots and herbs and toss until softened a little.  Remove the vegetables and put into the base of the slow cooker. Place the meat on top of the vegetables.

Add the wine and stock to the pan and mix well together as this then combines the juices from the pan as well.  Pour into the crock pot slow cooker over the meat and vegetables. Put the lid on and cook on low for 6 hours.  Thicken with the instant gravy mix combined with a little water if you think the stew is too thin.

Serves 2 large servings or 3 medium ones.  I serve it with sweet potato mash but you can serve with rice or just some of your favorite crusty bread.  Get out your crock pot slow cooker and start cooking.

Easy Crock Pot Apple and Lemon Sponge Dessert

You need to make up the cake mix as per the directions on the packet.  They are all different so please follow this step correctly.  Place all the rest of the ingredients except the icing sugar into a large jug or bowl and mix together and combine well.  Spread the mixture over the greased base of the crock bot bowl or you can use Slow Cooker Liners for no mess afterward.

Spoon over the cake mixture and place several sheets of paper towel over the top, making sure that the towel doesn't touch the mixture.  Place the lid on the crock pot and turn to high and cook for 3 hours approximately.  Check to see if cooked as sponge will spring back at a touch.   Serve with a dusting of icing sugar and a dab of cream or ice cream.

Try this easy crock pot recipe and let me know what you think about the taste as I'm sure you will agree its pleasantly different, a bit of a twist on the standard apple sponge.  This is my favorite dessert recipe at the moment for the family or when I'm entertaining.

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Thankfully they have now invented the programmable crock pot or digital slow cooker, which not only can turn itself off when you aren't there but it can turn itself off once the allotted time has expired. The benefits of the programmable crock pot are convenience and perfectly cooked meals. It is common for roasts and other foods to be overcooked because the cook cannot be there to turn it off, set it to low or even to warm setting.

The digital slow cooker does that for you. You no longer have to plan your day to be home at a certain time or worry that the roast will dry out and the vegetables will become mush. Using a digital slow cooker also gives you the peace of mind knowing that it will turn itself off if left unattended for too long. It is easy to forget you have something cooking in a crock pot. With the programmable crock pot, forgetfulness will never be cause to worry about again.

Investing in a digital slow cooker or programmable crock pot will save you time and stress, while providing your family with a delicious meal that they will think you spent hours slaving over.  If you haven't got one then update to one today.

All material used on this blog remains the property of Crock Pot Meals.