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Just because it's simple to use doesn't imply you're doing it correctly. Slow cooking is a busy home cook's hidden weapon for producing lengthy recipes without having to keep an eye on a pot all day. Cooking staples like beans or larger cuts of meat in the slow cooker can also help you save money on groceries. Slow cooking isn't just for meals... This kitchen workhorse may be used to prepare breakfast and dessert. You can cook less, save money on groceries, and enjoy well-balanced meals with the help of a simple appliance that slow cooks.
What Is A Slow Cooker?
A slow cooker is a type of electric cooking equipment that employs moist heat to cook food over time. Slow cookers typically feature an electric base with temperature settings (either a simple knob or a digital interface), a pot or crock, and a lid. The Crock-Pot brand popularised the ceramic crock design of a slow cooker, which is why the two are frequently confused, however not all slow cookers are Crock-Pots. Slow cooking can also be done in Instant Pots and other electric multi-cookers.
Use Of Slow Cookers
The things you can cook in a slow cooker are numerous. Gradual cookers are great for braised meals or recipes that require a simmer or slow heat.
Soups And Stews
Slow cooker recipes include tender turkey chilli, hearty pasta e fagioli, creamy tomato soup, and even stocks and broths.
Beans
If you've ever struggled to cook dry beans on the stovetop, give them a try in the slow cooker. You can even soak them in the crock overnight and then cook them all day the next day.
Big Proteins
Pig shoulder, beef arm roast, whole chickens, and pork and beef ribs are less expensive but take more cooking time, making them ideal for the slow cooker.
Casseroles and dump dinners
Need to open a few cans and a box of pasta and leave the rest to the slow cooker? It very certainly can. With your slow cooker, you can make enchiladas, "baked" ziti, and even corn pudding without turning on the oven.
Eggs
Slow-cooking egg-based casseroles is a brilliant way to wake up to a hearty meal, and it's especially useful for feeding a large group in the morning.
Simple Desserts
Yes, you can create a dessert in the slow cooker! Simple cakes steam in the slow cooker's low heat, but they may also be used to gently cook puddings or to prepare fruit butters or sauces to top ice cream.
Warm Beverages
A slow cooker can be used to make and keep warm hot chocolate, mulled wine, and spiced cider.
If you've ever wondered how to make the most of your inherited slow cooker, and are looking to get one for yourself then this is the article for you. Here are the five most important facts regarding slow cooking.
1. When Slow Cooking, Make A Plan
Hopefully, the term implies that slow cooking isn't quick! Many slow cooker recipes take hours even on high, so you'll have to perform some arithmetic to figure out when you want to eat and when you want to start. Most slow cooker recipes specify a time range for high and low cooking, so be sure you're home (or your slow cooker can convert to warming mode) at the shorter end of the cooking time. Contrary to popular belief, you can overcook food in a slow cooker.
2. Prepare Ahead Of Time For Slow Cooking
Most slow cooker crocks, especially ceramic ones, take a little time to heat up, so preheat before you begin. You don't have to leave it empty for long—even just 10 minutes will help foods cook more evenly. If your slow cooker recipe calls for adding food in stages or adding tender veggies at the end, having these prepped and ready before starting the main body of the dish is quite useful.
3. Whenever Feasible, Use Slow Cooker Recipes
You may adapt practically any recipe to the slow cooker, especially those designed for oven braising, but you must be familiar with both the recipe and your slow cooker. In most circumstances, a recipe developed expressly for the slow cooker can be easily found. Why does this matter? Slow cookers hold liquids better than Dutch ovens or even pots with tight-fitting lids, and they frequently require less cooking liquid than other vessels. So, unless you want to make a soup instead of a braise, use a slow cooker recipe and let it do its thing.
4. The Size And Brand Of Your Slow Cooker Are Important Considerations
A decent slow cooker recipe will tell you the size slow cooker to use. This is vital not just for capacity (you don't want to overfill the slow cooker), but also for heat distribution. Some recipes use the tall narrow design of lower-capacity slow cookers to avoid delicate items from overcooking (think egg casseroles and fluffy cakes). Other recipes may appear to "underfill" larger slow cookers in order to cook everything more evenly. Also, because wattage and capacity vary greatly between manufacturers, we recommend attempting a recipe once while you can be close by before setting and forgetting it.
5. Understand The Distinction Between HIGH And LOW Slow Cooking
Simply changing your slow cooker from high to low isn't the same as lowering the heat on the stove. The LOW setting is around 200°F, and the HIGH setting is approximately 300°F. About two to two and a half hours on low are equivalent to one hour on high. Keep in mind that some recipes specify low or high heat depending on the desired texture of the finished dish, so if the timing for both settings isn't included, cook as advised.
