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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.
Jessica L says
I would love to win the Crock Pot cooker because I have four kids, so any kitchen appliance that saves me time is awesome!
Katie Wilson says
I would love to try this again I've heard so much about these pressure cookers! I love the crock pot brand!
Ann says
I love cooking with a crockpot and with a pressure cooker, it'd be nice to cut down to a single cooker.
Angela says
I love the ability to saute before slow cooking
Shannon Martin says
I've been intimidated by the instantpot, maybe this is the solution for me.
Charlotte says
I’d love to try it out
Katie says
I'm a busy mom of 4 boys and I'm always looking for healthy meals to feed my family in the most efficient way possible!
Abbie says
I’ve heard fantastic things about a modern day pressure cooker. I’d utilize it for the short cut factor- rice, hard boiled eggs, cooking big pieces of meat in less time. Crossing my fingers!
Jessica says
My crock pot slow cooler broke a few months ago and I’ve been debating what to replace it with. This would be perfect.
Emily L says
I haven't had the pleasure of trying a pressure cooker yet. Sadly, I'm not a big fan of slow cookers but this might just be my thing.
Maria says
Yum! Love following this blog.... lots of tasty ideas.
ashley thiebaud says
I would love to have one of these! I have loved all of the Crock Pot products my family has had over the years. I have been thinking I need a new slow cooker for our family of 6 and this multi-tasker has caught my eye. Homeschooling 3 kids keeps me busy and this gem would help me get through the rough dinner-prep time of day in a flash!
Katie says
I want to try one out I'm a nurse and after working 12 hours and driving an hour home the extent of me wanting to cook is a burger or pbj sandwich.
Kristy says
I would absolutely love to try this recipe, it looks AMAZING!
Mandy says
I use my slow cooker often. I’ve heard differing opinions on the new pressure cooker/slow cooker appliances so I would love to give one a try.
Anna Marie says
This machine sounds like a better fit. The pressure cooker has never appealed to me.
Claire says
Interested to learn more. Have always used a conventional slow cooker, but curious about pressure cookers.
Lisa says
I am skeptical about the pressure cooker craze as well. It would be nice to win this and see what the fuss is all about.
Sara G says
This sounds awesome! So many functions in one! Space saving and time saving!
Barbara says
Sounds delicious. How much excess liquid is there at the end?
sherrry says
Something I have been wanting to try!
sara says
been dying to try a pressure cooker...
Alison Watson says
I would love to try this Crockpot pressure cooker! I am always looking for ways to simplify dinner on weeknights, and this seems like an awesome tool. Thanks for the chance!
Natasha Williams says
I would love to try the CrockPot Express Pot!
Barbara says
I’d love to try this brand to see if it works better as a slow cooker and still great as a pressure cooker. Would be nice to really have one appliance instead of two
Stephanie R says
I would love to try a pressure cooker and like you, I love my Crock-pot slow cookers so it makes sense to try the Crock-pot Express Crock.
Nicole says
Looks like a good recipe to try!
Cindy Gaylord says
I LOVE to cook for my family and while I have the standard slow cooker, I would love to try this Crockpot Express. It would be great to make our family meals in a quicker timeframe!
Sarah says
How neat! I haven't seen this version.
Laurie Walker says
I have been dying to try this - with 3 children and a busy husband this would keep more healthy dinners on the table.
Samantha says
After your honest review of the Instapot I refrained from getting one. I actually received one as a gift and returned it before ever using. I would love to try the Express Crock and see if it's the perfect combination of a pressure cooker and slow cooker. If so, it would solve a lot of my weeknight cooking challenges!
Christine says
I keep looking at pressure cookers but haven’t pushed the button to buy one yet!
manda790 says
That was the one that i didn't like about the instant pot is that if i'm stiring the food the bowl spins around. It drives me nuts. I also wish it was non stick, but not a big deal if you follow the directions when cooking things.
Cynthia H. says
I am on the fence with this when I saw it was a no-stick interior. Can you tell me about that as I noticed the box doesn't refer to it much. Is it a typical no-stick i.e. teflon? Stainless steel is one of the attractions to the Instant Pot. Are there stainless options available with this one too?
Dakota says
This sounds like a handy appliance and I am curious about trying a pressure cooker!
Kristi Mackenzie says
Would love to learn more great recipes!
Courtney Martinez says
I would love one!
Carrie Cameron says
I have three kids ages three and under, so I'll take any time and mess saving opportunity I can get!! This would be a blessing to our family!
Amy says
I've looked into getting one, but didn't want one more appliance. At least it combines 2 into one. Thanks for honest review!
Audrey says
I'm thinking about this type of appliance.....