It’s no secret that I recently tried to get on the electric pressure cooker bandwagon–and surprisingly I was not a fan (I was expecting to love it)! So, I have to say that I was a little skeptical when I was asked if I would try the new Crock-Pot® Express Crock Multi-Cooker (which we are giving away below!) and share my honest opinion for today’s sponsored post*. I absolutely LOVE my Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker, so I decided it was worth giving the pressure cooker one more try using a different brand.
For this experiment, I decided to make a recipe that could be made in a slow cooker, but would require some stove top prep cooking first. Cutting out extra dirty dishes is definitely one of the advantages I did see with the electric pressure cooker when I tried it; you can do any sautéing that is required right in the appliance. I also picked a recipe that’s typically best cooked for a long period, Bolognese Sauce.
Bolognese Sauce
Based on my previous experience with pressure cookers, surprisingly, the Crock-Pot® Express Crock was easy to use. I guess a little practice is what it takes with these appliances, but I have to say (and I promise no one is paying me to say this!) half the problems I had before with pressure cookers were a non-issue with this one. And, in addition to being a pressure cooker, it can also steam, slow cook, and brown/sauté foods as well.
There were some differences I noticed right away. First of all the insert stayed put instead of spinning all around when I was using the sauté function. Secondly, the recipes that came with the machine were very straightforward. I feel that when you are using a new appliance with a variety of buttons it’s nice when the directions tell you exactly what to push and when with no assumptions! And lastly, I was pleased to see there was a “start button.” Much like you feel the need to hit “save” on a document or “exit” before closing a program, this was something I felt was missing on similar appliances in the past.
In the end, the Bolognese Sauce tasted great and only took a fraction of the time. Here’s the recipe for you!
Bolognese Sauce (Pressure Cooked)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 carrots, peeled and diced
- 4 ribs celery, diced
- 4 ounces diced pancetta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra for taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, red or black, plus extra for taste
- 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
Instructions
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Press BROWN/SAUTE, set the temperature to HIGH and then press START/STOP. Add the olive oil and cook the onions, carrots and celery while stirring until they begin to soften, 5 to 8 minutes.
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Add the pancetta, beef and pork, season with a few shakes of salt and pepper and cook while stirring until brown all the way through, 5 to 8 minutes.
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Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper along with both cans of tomatoes. Press START/STOP to turn off the saute function.
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Secure the lid. Press MEAT/STEW, set pressure to HIGH and adjust the time to 15 minutes. Make sure the STEAM RELEASE VALVE is in the "SEAL" (closed position). Press START/STOP.
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Once cooking is complete and the pressure is released (either manually or automatically), open the lid.
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Optional, but recommended: Spoon off some of the liquid and/or turn back on to the BROWN/SAUTE setting to boil off the liquid for a thicker sauce (as pictured).
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Serve on a bed of cooked whole-wheat noodles topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Recipe Notes
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Gluten-free if served over gluten-free noodles.
Dairy-free if parmesan cheese topping is omitted.
About the Crock-Pot® Express Crock + a Meal Plan
With it’s multi-functionality, the Crock-Pot® Express Crock can be used to make many other recipes as well. Not only does it work as a pressure cooker, but it also can make all of your slow cooker meals, too. This one appliance can actually slow cook, pressure cook, steam, and brown and saute. Having so many ways to use it, the meal ideas are endless. Here is a weekly plan for some inspiration to get you started!
Meal Plan
Monday
The Best Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot
Tuesday
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken
Wednesday
Easy Steak Chili
Thursday
Gluten-free, Dairy-free Carrot Soup
Friday
Flank Steak Fajitas
Saturday
Cauliflower Soup
Sunday
Sunday Sauce
Giveaway
Now it’s time to give away a Crock-Pot® Express Crock so you can try it yourself! Enter below and one lucky winner will be chosen and notified by January 5th, 2018 via email (so make sure you use a good email address).
*This post is sponsored by the Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker brand, however all opinions are mine alone.
Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but 100 Days of Real Food will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us spread our message!
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We have a standard Crock Pot that we use at least once a week, usually for chicken. This version seems a lot more versatile. I am not certain, but I don’t think I could cook rice is my current cooker. If this one works as advertised, it would clear up cupboard space by eliminating some of the other small appliances.
I would LOVE to have this to try. I use my conventional Crock-Pot or my casserole crock at least once a week. I prepare lunch for my husband and myself in our lunch crock liners to make things easier.
As our family grows, we are expecting our 5th child in March, I rely more and more on one pot meals. The Multi-Cooker would definitely help save time cooking and cleaning up!
I love my crock pot but this sounds like a great alternative!
I have been looking to get a pressure cooking appliance, but have been having decisional anxiety with all the choices out there. This post was so helpful! Now if I could win one, that would save me the hassle of having to go buy it
I might actually cook more multi step meals if not for the extra dishes the steps create; this appliance seems to solve that.
I would love a multi cooker like this because as a college student, it’s often hard to find the time to cook healthy meals, and this would help out a lot :)
I would like to try this. I haven’t been convinced by anything I’ve seen about Instant Pots but this might be different for me.
I love my crockpot and use it a lot! Many of the recipes from your site! Would love to try the whole chicken in crockpot express cooker!!
Would love to give this a try. As a family of 5 that only eats “real” food, anything that helps speed up meals is a bonus!
I am not on the bandwagon yet but very interested in trying this crock pot, as I love my slow cooker!!!;)
I’d love to try one where the insert is stable! And I’ve missed the start button too.
I’ve always wanted to try a pressure cooker but am worried I won’t use it enough to justify the price.
I have really been wanting to try one of these!
I’ve heard such mixed things about these, but the short cooking time and reduced dishes seem like a real plus!
I have to confess….I don’t love cooking, but I do love eating healthy! So this would be an awesome addition to my kitchen. I use my crockpot about once a week. Having this would give me the option of doing it quick and all in one pot…because I also hate to clean up! :)
I’m with others in that I have not yet jumped on the bandwagon. We have a family of 6 and I’m not sure it can cook enough for all of us. However, I am happy to give it a try – especially if it is free :-)
I have not tried this or similar appliances. I would like to.
It would be fun to try this new crock pot. Thanks for the opportunity! Also love your blog and website, but I need to get here a little more often!