When my hubby and I got married last summer, we had a ton of gifts that I thought we'd never use. A breadmaker (thanks Auntie), some really, um, unique serving platters and a slow cooker.
Oh my goodness, that slow cooker has changed my life.
Now, I chop up some veggies at night, put them in the slow cooker in the morning, add a little broth or stock on top of an inexpensive cut of meat, press the button and go. When I come home, the food is delicious and ready to go.
Oh my goodness, that slow cooker has changed my life.
Now, I chop up some veggies at night, put them in the slow cooker in the morning, add a little broth or stock on top of an inexpensive cut of meat, press the button and go. When I come home, the food is delicious and ready to go.
Especially when cooking meat, this thing is genius! Prior to using this, I couldn't get my daughter to eat meat. She had a hard time chewing it. But whenever I give her meat from the slow-cooker, it's so tender she just gobbles it down. (Listen to me sounding like I should be on the infomerical.)
Some tidbits, though:
1) Make sure you put any veggies at the bottom, or add enough liquid to cover them. Otherwise, they won't be tender.
2)Add a bit more liquid than you think you'll need, especially if you plan on letting it cook for 8+ hours.
3)If I'm cooking beef, I like to add a bit of either tomato paste or steak sauce just to give it a bit more flavor and a thicker consistency. It will make the best pot roast or ribs you have ever eaten. So so good. (Make sure you cook it for at least 7 hours, though.)
4) If I'm cooking chicken, I like to have it on for no more than 4 hours. I find (and this might just be my slow-cooker) that it'll taste like a dishrag if you cook it for longer than that. No seriously.
5) Resist the urge to lift the lid. Just don't. You'll let out all the steam. That's not good.
If you're a little hesitant about using it, try it on a weekend first and see how long it takes for your favorite meal to cook.
Some tidbits, though:
1) Make sure you put any veggies at the bottom, or add enough liquid to cover them. Otherwise, they won't be tender.
2)Add a bit more liquid than you think you'll need, especially if you plan on letting it cook for 8+ hours.
3)If I'm cooking beef, I like to add a bit of either tomato paste or steak sauce just to give it a bit more flavor and a thicker consistency. It will make the best pot roast or ribs you have ever eaten. So so good. (Make sure you cook it for at least 7 hours, though.)
4) If I'm cooking chicken, I like to have it on for no more than 4 hours. I find (and this might just be my slow-cooker) that it'll taste like a dishrag if you cook it for longer than that. No seriously.
5) Resist the urge to lift the lid. Just don't. You'll let out all the steam. That's not good.
If you're a little hesitant about using it, try it on a weekend first and see how long it takes for your favorite meal to cook.
I use this Crock-Pot from Rival. I love, love, love it - can't do without it!
Here's a site that rates slow cookers for you and you can pick the one that best suits your needs.
Have a slow cooker? Use it a lot or is it covered in dust? Let me know!
Here's a site that rates slow cookers for you and you can pick the one that best suits your needs.
Have a slow cooker? Use it a lot or is it covered in dust? Let me know!
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