Since becoming a new mom and with my return to work, I have embraced the slow cooker as a way to get a hot meal on the table after a full day of work. A slow cooker is an absolute must for anyone that works! Here are some introductory tips and tricks to get you using a crock pot during the week.
If you are new to using a slow cooker, find out what you need to know before you get started. First of all, there are many different sized to consider ranging from about 2 1/2 to 6 quarts. Recently, a 1-quart slow cooker was introduced. Usually, smaller sizes are deep and narrow, while the larger sizes tend to be wider and rounder. There's a simple way to check what size of slow cooker you have. Just use a measuring cup and keep track of how many cups it takes to fill the slow cooker to the rim. Remember, 2 cups equal 1 pint, and 4 cups equal 1 quart. If your slow cooker holds 3 1/2 to 4 quarts, you should get 14 to 16 cups of water into it, and so on.
When cold weather (or cooler weather, depending on where you live) arrives, we crave heartier, more substantial meals. That means more long-simmering soups and stews, or maybe pot roast with vegetables, fresh bread, and home-baked desserts. And what could be easier than throwing the ingredients into a slow cooker in the morning and coming home to a hot, cooked meal? Before you get started, though, here's what you need to know to cook successfully in your slow cooker - Slow cookers can prepare just about any type of meal you can imagine, including the accompanying side dishes, breads, and desserts. You don't have to fret over the food; there's no need for constant attention or stirring. (As a matter of fact, unless the recipe states otherwise, you should not lift the lid while cooking because the heat that escapes adds almost another 30 minutes to the cooking time.) Slow cookers are ideal for the aforementioned soups and stews, of course, and they're particularly good for dishes that call for tougher, inexpensive cuts of meat. But consider using your slow cooker for side dishes and desserts, too. This is especially helpful if you're entertaining, when your oven may be occupied by another long-cooking dish; in that case, use your slow cooker as another oven or burner.To make cleanup easier, spray the inside of the crock with nonstick cooking spray before adding the food. Meats will not brown in the slow cooker, so recipes requiring browned meat will instruct you to brown the meat in a skillet before placing it in the slow cooker. Slow cooking doesn't lose as much moisture as conventional cooking methods, so -- although you may be tempted -- don't add more liquid to the cooker than the recipe calls for. Remember that cooking times in all recipes are approximations. Several factors can affect cooking time. Don't keep your finished dish in the slow cooker for long. It will continue to cook for awhile, which could overcook the food.
For a great slow cooker, check out the Wolfgang Puck Pressure Cooker Review or the Cuisinart Griddler Review
