Guess what I won?

[Linda in MO]

I went to a company dinner this weekend and won an 18 quart Nesco Roaster! :D I just wanted to share my excitement with my foodie friends!

What can I do with this thing besides cook a turkey? I'm thinking about ordering the "buffet set", which holds 3 different things, to make it more versatile.

[tamawrite]

Wow -- what a cool prize! Congrats :cool: Unfortunately, I'm no help on roasting ideas...will be interested in what others suggest.

[swquilts]

Ooooo...how fun!! I bought one recently. I've only made a HUGE batch of rice pilaf in it so far. I'm dying to try a turkey! I've also heard you can do prime rib in them.

Here's some recipes from Nesco's site:

http://www.nesco.com/recipes/view.phtml?category=700

[swquilts]

Shoot, I should have checked them before I posted the link. I looked through some of them and they all appear to be for the smaller roasters. Sorry! :(

[wallycat]

Woot!!!!
Lucky gal!! :)

[colleency]

Lucky you! I know someone who takes one of those to conventions and bakes mini-pretzels in it.

[jtoepfert100]

Congratulations! Love your Avatar!:)

[claire797]

Congratulations, L! Time to get roasting!

[hollysmom]

My mom used hers for a vat of spaghetti for Swim Team fundraisers and similar events at school.

SSM

[dlaboriel]

Wow, that's great. A "Taste of Home" is giving away 50 of these in a few months, the ones with the buffet inserts. I really like the idea of the inserts. Congratulations!!

[SueK]

Linda - congrats, and lucky you! :) I don't have one, but I would definitely recommend getting the buffet insert. I have a warming tray that holds several casserole sizes dishes, and it's a great help for family dinners, parties, etc. I would imagine the buffet set would be just as invaluable, too.

[Linda in MO]

Thanks guys! I knew you all would understand my excitement! :D

[masimmons]

I use mine to make huge batches of chex mix around the holidays (also turkeys, chickens and hams.) I've never heard of the buffet inset before but will check that out. Sounds like a great idea.

[Robyncz]

Oooh. To make Chex mix! What a good idea. Seems like it would be good for Spinach balls, or other large quantity bite-sized appetizers.

I've mainly used mine to keep things warm. I made a million zillion hotdogs for a birthday party, and I've also used it to warm and hold tamales. Sneezles has posted a recipe (or maybe just a method?) for making Spanish rice in it. I'll go look for it.

I'm back with Sneezles's recipe:

Roaster Oven Rice

9 cups rice (about 4 pounds)
18 cups boiling water (1 gallon + 2 cups)

Preheat the roaster to 300ºF. Place rice in roaster and pour boiling water over. Cover and bake for about 40 minutes.

To make the Spanish rice I sauté the rice in a bit of oil until golden (in the roaster). I sub 2 (10oz) cans of Rotel tomatoes for 2 cups of the water and I add them before pouring in the boiling water.