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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.
Andrea Kocurek says
Sounds awesome. Bolognese sauce is fantastic.
KL Luebbering says
I would love to try fresh recipes with my family!
Erika Hughes says
Sounds intriguing!
Amgela says
I love shorter cooking times for food. I never plan early enough for everything!
June says
Usually love your info and recipes. I've not used the crock pot, but this review is very misleading. Instant Pot has a slow cooker. And a stainless liner (which is SO easy to clean) and doesn't leach out chemicals. I'm not an instant pot fanatic, but honestly, all of your IP criticisms are lame. Really, complaining about not having a start button? Why hit saute button then have to hit the start button? Why not just hit saute and have it do the job (a la the instant pot)? Just trying to balance the comments out.
Marina says
This looks delicious! I haven’t purchased a pressure cooker yet because I love my crockpot, so thanks for your review!
Tricia says
I’ve been wanting to try this!
Betsey says
Anything that lessens the number of dirty dishes is a winner!
Michele says
I would love to try out this recipe! I’ve been hearing so many good things about pressure cookers and to be able to save time while cooking healthy food for my family would be so helpful!
Donna says
Thanks for the review. Currently researching these machines.
Lisa Hlubb says
Happy I read this before I bought the "other" multi cooker! This looks way easier to operate. We're trying to include our son in meal prep to both encourage independence (he's about 75lbs overweight w/a multitude of health issues) and to help us all make healthier choices. Cut back on the ordering out/fast food.
Holly Luchin says
I’ve wanted one of these!
Laura says
This would help work night meals.
Jill Coston says
I can’t wait to try this!
Gina says
I have been wanting one. I have been researching them to see which one would be best for our family.
Megan B says
Cant wait to try this
Annette Poole says
I have been wondering too about the pressure cookers. I’m glad to see Lisa reviewing this for me.
G Burke says
Curious to try.
Rebecca Laube Schleeper says
Looks like a great recipe!
Larissa says
I have been slow to get on the instant cooker train but I think it would really help us have real food meals on days that I work. Thanks for the info on this new one!
Erin says
I love crock pot and would happily try their new product.
Cheryl says
The recipe looks amazing, I have yet to try and make it, but it's on my to do list. I have multiple crock pot cookers and have been seriously looking at getting one of these. It would be amazing to win one, then I could go cooking crazy! :)
Katie says
I would like to try this pressure cooker and compare it to the Instant Pot.
Gwen Boylan says
Always looking for a way to make meals quicker. This sounds like it would help.
Jennifer says
I would love to win the Crock Pot Express Multi Cooker. It looks like it would speed up my dinner plans.
Beth says
I have been not buying an instant pot because I don't want to add another appliance. So having it also be a slow cooker would be ideal'
June says
Instant pot has a slow cooker function.
Hannah says
I like to use Italian sausage instead of ground pork and a can of tomato paste in my Bolognese Sauce- the Italian sausage gives it great flavor and the tomato paste gives an extra kick of flavor and good texture!
Brandi says
I also hated the InstaPot, maybe I would like this one
Lindsey Schneider says
This looks delish! Love Crock Pot and would love to try this new gadget!
April C says
Hope to win!
Andrea says
As a working mom of two young kids who are both active in extra-curricular activities, I’d love to have a tool like this to help prepare healthy and delicious meals for those extra busy nights.
tara says
This looks so convenient! I love the suggested menu you included.
Paige says
Sounds like a super time saver to making good food!
Linda says
Interesting
Tanya says
Sounds like a great timesaver!
Nicole says
Would love to try this!
Jen says
I would love to try this one!
Cheryl Conklin says
My husband and I are retired and we live 30miles away from our grandchildren. We try to attend all their athletic games (soccer, basketball, baseball, plus cross country and so we are at the games until about 6pm and have to drive 30 miles to get home. I think this would give us a good quick nutritious dinner when we arrive home so late.. I have never had a pressure cooker type appliance so I hope I will win!
Autumn says
Looks great, can't wait to try!
DeeAnn Jones says
Would love to try this one out!!