I too flour the meat( for a stew) first, along with a sprinkling of mixed herbs; seasoning and nutmeg, sometimes a pinch of cloves, then put it in the slow cooker; add plenty of liquid; it makes a lovely thick gravy. When it's cooked I strain the meat; put the gravy in a saucepan and throw in the dumplings for 20 mins on the stove top. Then add the meat back in.Yummmmy. I looooove dumplings