I love my slow cooker, honestly, I couldn’t get by without it! It’s an essential tool for busy families like ours. Can you relate, are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen, slaving over a hot stove? If so, then it’s time to invest in a slow cooker. A slow cooker is a kitchen appliance that can revolutionize the way you cook. Not only does it save you time and effort, but it also has numerous benefits for your health and well-being.
One of the main benefits of using a slow cooker is that it allows you to prepare healthy meals with minimal effort. You simply throw in your ingredients, set the temperature, and let the slow cooker do all the work. This means that you can have a delicious and nutritious meal waiting for you when you come home from work or school. Plus, slow cooking retains more nutrients in the food compared to other cooking methods, so you can be sure you’re getting the most out of your ingredients.
Another benefit of using a slow cooker is that it helps to enhance the flavors of your food.
The low and slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in rich and delicious meals. Whether you’re making a hearty stew, tender roast, or flavorful curry, the slow cooker will bring out the best in your ingredients. Plus, the long cooking time allows for tougher cuts of meat to become tender and juicy, giving you restaurant-quality results from the comfort of your own home.
In addition to saving time and improving the taste of your food, using a slow cooker can also save you money. By using cheaper cuts of meat and utilizing ingredients that are in season, you can create budget-friendly meals that are still packed with flavor.
Plus, slow cooking allows you to make larger batches of food, which can be portioned out and frozen for later use.
This means less food waste and more money in your pocket.
- There is no fuss or worry – You can place all of your ingredients into the slow cooker and then set the cooking timer. The heating process does the rest.
- Safe to use – Unlike cooking on the stove, you don’t have to constantly watch a slow cooker. Moisture is locked in so that you don’t have to worry about your food drying out or burning in the pot while you are not home.
- You can save money – Instead of heading out to the fast food restaurant when you feel hungry, create wholesome meals right at home.
- Slow cooking adds flavor – Because you are cooking the meal at a lower temperature, seasonings and spices tenderize the meat and incorporate themselves into the food. The result is intense flavor in every bite.
- Easy cleanup – Most of the slow cookers on the market today come with a removable ceramic inner pot. Store leftovers right in the dish where you cooked your meal.
- The family can help – No longer is dinner the responsibility of one person. Everyone can make a meal because all it takes is a little prep and the ability to put everything together in the pot.
- Adaptable – Most recipes can be adapted to cook in a slow cooker. You are not just restricted to soups and stews here. Consider cooking casseroles, roasts, desserts and appetizers.
- Keeps food warm – There is a setting for that. If everyone is not home on time, you can keep the food ready for when the family is all together.
- Cool in the kitchen – Unlike a stove, the slow cooker won’t give off heat and leave you wanting a glass of ice water. Move the cooker easily with cool side handles.
Adapting Your Favorite Recipes for the Slow Cooker
Change the amount of water you add
With soups or stews, it is not uncommon to add a cup of water to the slow cooker. You want the steam produced to create more liquid. When you are adapting a recipe that doesn’t call for water or a sauce, add about half a cup of liquid for the heating process. The best rule of thumb is to half the amount of water being added. Since the simmering process doesn’t boil off excess water, you don’t want your food knee-deep in it.
Choose a longer recipe to adapt
According to experts, one hour of cooking time in the oven is equivalent to six to eight hours in the slow cooker. Be sure that your recipes call for a cooking time of at least 45 minutes. This way, you know that the ingredients (meats especially) can hold together during the longer low temperatures.
Add delicate vegetables at the end
This includes tomatoes, squash and peppers. Adding them in the beginning can lead to them overcooking and getting mushy.
Cook on LOW for raw meats
To thoroughly cook a piece of meat, the internal temperature must reach at least 160 degrees F. Most slow cookers reach a temperature of 190 degrees F. Choose a LOW setting for at least eight hours to be sure the dinner is cooked safely.
Speed up cooking with aluminum foil
Adding foil under the lid deflects heat back to the surface of the food.
Use cream soups instead of dairy if recipe calls for milk
Milk, as you know, can burn easily on the stove top. In a slow cooker, try using a creamy soup like mushroom or chicken as a substitute to make your sauce or to hold together your casserole dish. These soups stand up to longer cooking times better.
Just about any recipe can be remade in a slow cooker if you follow the few basic guidelines above.
When trying to decide what to cook, remember these few tips:
The slow cooker won’t brown meat
Because the temperature is so low, meat will be cooked (temperature reaches 190 degrees F) but not given that glaze that is characteristic of browning meat in a pan. If you want to have the look and flavor of browned meat, prep your meat in a skillet before adding it to the cooker.
Choose your meat wisely
Because the cooking process takes at least four hours (HIGH setting), you don’t have to choose the tenderest cuts of meat. The juices tenderize the meat as it cooks. You can choose less tender cuts of meat in your dishes.
Use fresh herbs
The slow heating process will bring out the best essence from the herbs to enhance the flavor of your food. And if you love cooking with herbs like me, you’ll be adding them to every dish!
Some veggies take longer to cook
Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots and turnips take longer to break down and soften when cooking. For even cooking in whatever dish you are making, place these veggies on the bottom closest to the heat.
Cut up or dice your vegetables
The main idea behind slow cooking is slow even cooking. Cutting up vegetables into even pieces ensures that everything will be cooked thoroughly.
Thicken sauces during the last 30 minutes of cooking
If you want to thicken your sauce, stew broth or soup stock, add your thickener (flour or cornstarch) during the last half hour of cooking and turn the temperature control up to HIGH. Remove the lid since cooking is basically finished.
Don’t fill completely full
It will be harder to reach a steady simmer if the pot is full. Leave at least one-third to one-half of the pot empty.
Remove fat before cooking
To reduce the amount of fat in a recipe, eliminate it from the beginning. Skin raw poultry and remove the fat. Also, you’ll want to remove streaks of fat from beef.
Thaw before adding
Thaw meat before adding them to the slow cooker. Meat may not reach the appropriate cooking temperature in the time allotted for cooking. Frozen vegetables can be added 30 minutes before the end of cooking time.
Resist the temptation to peek!
I have to add this tip, but I am definitely guilt of peeking at my meals while they are cooking. However, constantly lifting the lid during cooking can increase your cooking time. You can lower the temperature and interrupt the simmer each time you do this.
The benefits of using a slow cooker are numerous. From saving time and effort in the kitchen to creating delicious and nutritious meals, a slow cooker is a must-have appliance for any busy individual or family. And before I go, I should mention the added convenience of making up slow cooker freezer bag meals! These are some of our favorites. So why not give it a try and experience the benefits for yourself? Your taste buds and your wallet will thank you!
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