ShoppingJen's Profile

My husband and I do a lot of slow cooker meals. Our favorite thing is to clean out the refrigerator and freezer and make a stew. Just about any vegetable can go in the pot - cut them all up to cook evenly.

My rule of thumb is to make a single layer of each ingredient. Things like potatoes and carrots go on the bottom, softer vegetables above that, then the meat on top. Add some broth or stock of some sort, but not too much - more liquid will be created as it cooks, and you can always add even more later if you need to.

Season when you estimate that you've got about an hour of cooking to go. There you are - a tasty meal that uses up odds and ends from the fridge.

You get to buy buttermilk a half gallon at a time? Lucky dog! Growing up in Syracuse, and now here in New England, I only ever see quarts. As a person who loves to drink buttermilk, that's only about 2 servings. A half gallon carton would be a dream!

Leftover buttermilk wouldn't be a dilemma for me. I grew up drinking it as a special treat, a habit I got from my father. I sprinkle a little celery salt on top for flavor. Yum!