Usually a tee shirt and shorts. ha!

I use the crock pot, George Foreman Grill, the oven, the stove, the gas grill... just depends on what I'm making.

What kinds of recipes are you interested in? Chicken? Beef? Stews? Only crock pot recipes?

Dee, I mostly use my crockpot for beans, like navy bean soup, baked beans or split pea soup.

For bean soup Ijust pour a bag of beans into the crockpot, add 3 quarts of water or so, a couple of diced carrots, a diced onion, a ham bone if I have it, or a handful of diced ham or bacon. Let it cook all day on low and in 8 or 10 hours you have a nice pot of soup, all ready for me when I come home from work. Taste and salt and pepper to taste. I like to add a bay leaf when I start, others don't. Split pea soup is the same, but about half the time.

Ginger's crockpot french dip is a favorite among many here, as are Angie's tacos, those recipes are on this thread we did a couple of months ago, along with a lot of others.

I'm sure you'll find something good there and your husband will be happily surprised.

Annie (also zone 5 Michigan!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Crockpot Recipes

Shaun...you beat me!
When I read the thread title, I really did think it was going to be about clothing. Most of my casual clothes get ruined from cooking. So I have a continual rotation going on here. I tend to think of non-cooking clothes vs. OK to cook in clothes. Yes, I have aprons for those times I want to wear something nice (usually when I have company) and still have things to finish in the kitchen...

But back to the real question, I don't use my crock pot much anymore. My most used pans are a 14" skillet and my 6 1/2 qt dutch oven.

Nancy

Shaun, you beat me too! I was going to say an old blue gingham apron that I got as a gag gift lol

Crocs - usually my brown fleece lined crocs.

I make things like pot roasts, stews and soups in my crockpot. I have a couple of recipe books for the crockpot, but most of the recipes are just not useful. I use it if I need to simmer something for hours on the stove or in the oven.

It is nice to come home and have a meal, or at least most of one, hot and ready to eat.

Oh, Mom, you reminded me of one of the kids' favorite meals.

Slice an onion and put it into the crockpot. Add a beef chuck roast and a jar of beef broth. Cook it all darned day, it'll shred with a fork. Drain any remaining broth and dump in a bottle of BBQ sauce or some homemade stuff if you have it. Serve it on buns.

Annie

Ooooo Annie, just that simple recipe makes me want to bring out my crock pot this week. Dump the broth? Can you save it for something else?

I use my crock pot to make meatloaf, stew, roasted beef/pork, soup, congee, and sometimes pasta. Can't live with it.

Al

Makes a great corned beef, but I cook the vegetables on the stove top using the broth from the meat.

I use my crockpot mainly for chili, pulled pork, and some stews and soups.

When I worked out of the home, it was a godsend. But now that I work from home, I don't use it as much.

Oh Al, you know me better than that. The broth is saved because sometimes the meat gets dry after it soaks up all the bbq sauce, so I can add the broth back in to make it wetter. If I don't use it for that, I make gravy or put it into soup or use it to cook rice in for a stirfry.

Annie

I'm new to crock pot cooking too, but I'm sure getting into it now. Great for hearty, winter meals that cook while you work. Chicken Cacciatore, Swiss Steak, No Peek Stew, Pepperoncini Beef, Mexican Chicken, stews, roasts. I dump everything in the removable liner the night before, refrigerate and pop the liner in the crock pot the next morning and cook on low all day. So nice coming home when the house smells like you've been cooking all day, too.

Okay - you all beat me to it! I was going to see if I could get a reaction by answering "Little Black Dress and Pearls".... but you are all to fast for me LOL!

Anyway, the most likely thing for me to put in the crock pot is either beans (a la Annie's method, I'm a bay leaf user too) or a fresh pork shoulder, rub with dry BBQ seasoning and put in the crock pot. Do not add liquid! The pork will make a generous amount. After 8 - 10 hours, shred it and add BBQ sauce, serve it on rolls.

Alexa

Just an apron - nothing else. Oh wait TMI and NOT a visial you want to have if you know me LOLOLOL JK!!

I do have a crockpot but I should probably give it away. I only have one decent recipe for it that my family likes and even that one I hardly ever remember to make.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chicken Adobo

Now Annie, that sounds more like the girl I Know! :-) Great tips!

Al

Well, in the crock pot I cook soups, stews, and pot roasts plus a killer cassoulet (fancy name for a white bean stew with sausage, pork and poultry).

As for clothing, no apron but grungy clothes, as I tend to wipe my hands on my hips and butt. I should know better but habits are hard to break. And the hips/butt have plenty of surface, more than a towel.....

I've never used a crockpot. I figure if I have something that needs long cooking, I use my LeCrueset pans & let 'er rip.

Baggy old sweats!! With more grease stains on the belly that you can count. That's my standard attire at home...no company.
I cook like Peppy!

What pans do I use?
Crockpot, skillet, dutch oven, pyrex/microwave. A place for each here! Yeah, I have lots of storage space!

Favorite thing to do in the crockpot is pulled pork with BBQ sauce dumped over the top. When I take the pork out, shred it and add more sauce, I save the juice and cook beans in it. Great flavor, add some ketchup or tomato sauce, molasses, mustard, brown sugar, etc. for baked beans.

I CAN'T throw away the yummy juices!

I like to toss a ham bone in with water and some carrot peeling, onion skins, celery trimming, etc. Cook the "H" out of it, strain the broth off and refrigerate so you can skim the fat. Then add in chopped ham, onion, carrots, celery, bay leaf, rosemary and beans for soup (some in the fridge now in fact).

A beef chuck roast with potatoes and carrots is awesome too.
If you put it in frozen, no added water, it's ready to eat when you come home from work (or play).

I like the fact that I don't have to tend it. I'm gone 9-10 hours a day and I'm sure not leaving my oven on to slow roast something for that long when I'm not here (probably not if I WAS here).

Deanna

Another old sweats or even pj's here. I don't get dirty, just want comfy. The floor is what takes a beating on getting dirty!

I mostly use Mom's old magnalite (sp?), skillet, or toaster oven these days. The crock pot gets used from time to time - mostly for roast or french dip.

Beth

LOL, L2C46, I'm glad you said that. Someone had to and I didn't dare.

Jim

I do not have a crockpot...but I love my Italian Pressure Cooker. I cook lots of different things in my Pressure Cooker. A great investment...especially if you are as busy as I am.

Nothing but a smile! LOL But seriously, right now I am making French Onion Soup in mine. I carmelized the onions over night in it and now I have added the wine and beef broth and let it go all day. I freeze it in small portions for future eating.

I cook all kinds of things from soups and stews, roasts, chicken cacciatore, corned beef & cabbage and other such dishes. I love it for cooking Irish steel cut oats overnight for next morning creamy oatmeal. I have about 6 or more cookbooks for crockpot/slow cookers.
Clare