Slow Cooking in the Netherlands!

I have a new lady power tool!  That’s what I call kitchen appliances because my excitement over a new blender or crock pot is pretty much equal to the joy my husband shows for a new saw or drill.

It’s a slow cooker and I looooooove it!  It’s the best thing that has ever happened to my kitchen (except maybe the dishwasher).   They are not at all common here in the Netherlands and it requires you doing a bit of super sleuthing to track one down.  I found my 6.5L Kenwood here,  where I got it pretty quickly after ordering it, only about 2 days.  It was recommended to me by a friend as she had gotten the same one and loved it.

For ages I’ve seen women on my expat women’s lists talking about their crock pots and how great it is, but I never got one because a crock pot requires crock pot recipes which requires cooking skill, which I did NOT have.  I can make things but I’m not the best cook… or at least I never used to be!

This week I made STEW, and it was delicious!! Voted best so far by Hubby.

Since getting it, I’ve used it at least 2-3 times a week and I love it to the ends of the earth and back.   What I love most about it is that I can get UP AND AT ‘EM early and get dinner ready when I still have energy.  Towards the end of the day I tend to have that feeling where I just can’t be arsed to cook and look for the easiest thing we have.   Now, I can start the day by preparing something nice and later on when I’m keen to just kick back and chill out, dinner is ready!

My new favorite thing is Draadjesvlees or ‘Butter Braised Beef’ in English.

At the moment I am making a recipe given to me by a Canadian friend who makes this regularly for her family.  I made it a few weeks ago and Xander gave it a “YUM – you can make this again!” rating.   Here’s the recipe if you want to give it a go:

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
6 cups raw potatoes cut into small cubes
1 medium onion minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 lb cooked ham cubed ( I have added more)
4 TBSP butter
4 TBSP flour
1tsp salt
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1. Layer potatoes, onion, 1 tsp salt and ham in slow cooker
2. Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in flour and 1tsp salt. Cook until bubbly. Gradually add milk. Cook until smooth and thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted. Pour over potato-ham mixture, stirring lightly.
3. Cover. Cook on Low 6-7 hours, or High 3-4 hours.

I like this one because it’s quick and easy, unlike the stew which took about an hour of prep before going in the pot (so worth it though).  It’s rich and definitely not a diet food, but it’s tasty!

The only down side to owning one of these fabulous cookers in the Netherlands is storage space.   Kitchens here are small and cupboard and counter space is sparse.  It was a concern of mine when I ordered it, but I figured I’d sort it out once I got it.   It hasn’t been an issue for me though because it’s been in the same spot since we got it.  It gets used so often I just never bother putting it away.

Another issue is finding the cuts of meats required, as a lot of the recipes (of which there are MANY) are from Americans.   Finding roast beefs, hams, etc here in the Netherlands can be difficult.   Firstly, it’s hard to find the meats in the same sizes as back home and also when you do, you pay dearly for it.   Thankfully there are a lot of recipes that don’t require big hunks of meat though!

So if you are like I was and were considering getting a slow cooker but weren’t sure what you would do with it, if it would be worth the money or if it REALLY makes things as good as everyone says.  Take it from me, just do it!  It opens up a whole new world for you, cooking-wise.