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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)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (red or black, plus extra for taste)
- 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Once cooking is complete and the pressure is released (either manually or automatically), open the lid.
- 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).
- Serve on a bed of cooked whole-wheat noodles topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
- We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
- Gluten-free if served over gluten-free noodles.
- Dairy-free if parmesan cheese topping is omitted.
Nutrition Facts
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.
Betty says
I gave my cock pot away many years ago
to Value Village. I had more trouble cooking in it than I have ever had in my whole life. I was confined to stay home because my crock pot would run out of liquid and start to burn. So, Value Village has it now and whoever bought it, good luck.
However, the one you are using looks very interesting.
Would I like to try it???? not sure....
Theresa Mulhern says
I have been very close to purchasing the instant pot for some time now. I have reading reviews and then I heard crock*pot has come out with one....I would love to win the giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity! Oh, I'm trying your cinnamon rolls for Christmas! Thanks for all the recipes! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Michele Altieri says
Would love to have one!
Amber Ehrhardt says
I have been thinking about trying this pot
Jamie says
Can this be made vegetarian or would I need to add something in place of the meat?
Jennifer Brissette says
Since home cooked meals are a big priority for me and my family this would make it so much easier preparing them. Clean up also seems to be super easy. Quick and tasty meals while getting to spend more time in the family room then the kitchen...awesome!!
Jane Stahl says
Have thought about getting one of these for a while now.
Karen Questel says
I've not had success with my IP. The directions you gave with the recipe seem simple enough. I am one who has to know exactly what button to push and when to push it. Would love to try this pot!
Lora B says
Anything to make life more simple and less kitchen time is a must for me!!
Evelyn says
This looks more versatile then the pressure cooker I have, and my family has outgrown the smallish Crock-Pot I have.
Coleen says
Love bolognese. This recipe looks like a must try. I had not seen the multinfuntion crock pot. Looks like a time saver.
Deanna says
I'm a big crock pot user but have never tried a pressure cooker. I would love to give it a try as I have been contiplating buying a pressure cooker for some time now.
Dianne Palmer-Quay says
I use both a stovetop pressure cooker and a slow cooker regularily and the chance to combine the best of both appliances (and cut down on the dirty dishes) is very appealing!
Judith Munoz says
Looks delicious! I've also been skeptical of other appliances but this looks great!
A Schneider says
Looking forward to trying this! For those that have the other popular electric pressure cooker, I use a binder clip attached to the lip of the inner liner and the outside of the cooker top to keep it from spinning. And I agree: straight forward easy recipes to try all the buttons would be great and definitely less intimidating
Kristen Bylenga says
This looks really helpful for those nights when I'm not quite as organized as usual!
Sue Headley says
I have been eyeing these but was scared off given your first experience. This is a trusted brand in my house and would love to try it out!
Sara Martineau says
I would love to try this pressure cooker! It would hopefully speed up dinner prep and less dishes:)
Misty says
I have been a bit skeptical of these new cookers, but this looks so easy and the dish looks amazing! Definitely going on my Christmas list!
Candy M says
I would love to try this pressure cooker! I often forget to put things in the crockpot until it's too late!
Carolann says
I've been so curious about pressure cookers. Thanks for the review and recipe. Looks great!
Belinda Mundey says
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!
Rosie says
I have not tried this or similar appliances. I would like to.
Barb says
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 :-)
Karen R says
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! :)
Mandy says
I've heard such mixed things about these, but the short cooking time and reduced dishes seem like a real plus!
Katherine Steiner says
I have really been wanting to try one of these!
Christal says
I’ve always wanted to try a pressure cooker but am worried I won’t use it enough to justify the price.
Rebekah says
I’d love to try one where the insert is stable! And I’ve missed the start button too.
Holly says
I am not on the bandwagon yet but very interested in trying this crock pot, as I love my slow cooker!!!;)
Erin G says
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!
Susan Colletti says
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!!
Anne says
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.
Colleen says
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 :)
Vj Winters says
I might actually cook more multi step meals if not for the extra dishes the steps create; this appliance seems to solve that.
Stephanie Ochmanek says
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
Bobbi says
I love my crock pot but this sounds like a great alternative!
Liz says
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!
Tracey says
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.
Tim says
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.