At the end of a long day, there’s nothing better than having dinner waiting for you. That’s where the slow cooker comes in. This easy-to-use mealtime savior is just the thing for cutting down your time in the kitchen, from preparations to clean up.
There are tons of slow cooker recipes out there, especially online, and most include very simple ingredients that you have around the house. To prepare a meal, you simply place the ingredients in the slow cooker and turn it on HIGH for the first hour to bring the contents to the target temperature (140 degrees), then bring it down to LOW for the remainder of the cooking time.
Cooking times can vary based on the ingredients. The recipe should tell how long. Most slow cooker meals take 4 to 8 hours to complete the cooking process. Which is great, because it means you can toss everything in that morning and not have to think about it until it’s ready at dinnertime. Just be sure that someone is in the house to keep an eye on it. Like any heated device, it’s not a good idea to leave it on while you’re out.
Make sure not to lift the lid while the mixture is cooking (unless the recipe instructs you to do so). The steam that’s generated in the cooking process creates a vacuum that seals the lid. Every time you open it, some of the steam and heat dissipates, which can make for a longer cooking process.
Slow cookers are available in various sizes, holding anywhere from 3 cups to 5 1/2 quarts. Sometimes it’s good to have two sizes on hand – a smaller model (3- to 4-quart) for chutneys, sauces and recipes that will feed about four people and a larger machine like the 5 1/2-quart, for entertaining. Brand names like Rival, Hamilton Beach and Pesto all offer exceptional models for affordable prices.
Be sure to let the slow cooker cool completely before adding water to clean it. If you’re in a hurry and need to clean it right away, use warm or hot water (NOT cool water) to protect the crock from cracking—and use a nylon scrubber to protect it from scratches. If the slow cooker is encrusted with food, let it cool, then squirt some liquid dish soap in, and fill it with warm water. Let it soak for about an hour before scrubbing it clean. For even less cleanup, try using a slow cooker liner. Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liners work well. These are plastic bags that open up and fit inside your crock pot. The liners are available in all sizes and no tugging or pulling is required.
Fill the slow cooker one half to three quarters full. If you fill it to the brim, the meal won’t cook properly.
Removing the lid and cooking on HIGH for the last half hour will help thicken the juices and concentrate the flavors.
One hour on HIGH equates to two hours on LOW.
Add tender vegetables like tomatoes, mushrooms and zucchini in the last 45 minutes so they’re not overcooked.
Any dairy products should be added during the last 30 minutes, unless the recipe says otherwise.
Cut down on preparation time by using prepackaged ingredients. Try scalloped potato mixes, canned tomatoes and soups, seasoning mixes, and frozen vegetables that have been thawed.
To soften onions, sauté them on the stove first. The caramelization will also increase the flavor of the dish. But if you're running short on time, it’s fine to toss them in raw.
Consider picking up a used slow cooker at a garage sale. Older models tend to cook at slightly lower temperatures, which prevents foods from boiling (not what you want).
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