Beef, turkey ... "Brisket is a natural partner for the slow cooker, as a gentle braise renders it meltingly tender," Laidlaw writes in "Everyday Slow Cooking." Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot.

Turkey is not just for Christmas! The drumsticks cost very little and stretch a long way - perfect for a meaty pot-roast on a modest budget. This pot-roast can be cooked in advance and frozen ...