How to Make Your Crock Pot Your Best Friend

Cooking in a crock pot or slow cooker will save you time and energy at the end of the day when you are already tired from a long days work. These wonderful devices make it easy to put dinner on in the morning and let it cook all day while you are away. There is no need to worry that your crock pot is left unattended. They are designed to operate on their own just like your hot water heater or refrigerator runs on its own when you are away. By following a few simple steps, you will soon discover that your crock pot just might be your best friend, after all.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crock pot/slow cooker
• Favorite recipes

1. Purchase a crock pot or slow cooker that is the proper size for your family. Two-quarts is large enough for a family of four. One with a removable kettle makes it easy to prepare the recipe ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until you are ready.

2. Locate the crock pot in an area that is away from paper products, combustible or flammable materials, and has a sturdy base to support it. The counter top is the ideal placement for a crock pot. Always keep the crock pot away from edge of the counter to prevent accidents.

3. Familiarize yourself with the operating instruction for your model.

4. Begin by using recipes that have been designed for slow cookers and crock pots. These recipes will provide you with specific directions for layering foods and will provide exact amounts of liquids.See the resource section for links to crock pot recipes.

Experiment with New Recipes

5. Experiment with favorite stove top or oven recipes, once you become accustomed to cooking in your slow cooker. Keep in mind that the low setting on your crock pot cooks at approximately 100 degrees and the high setting is approximately 300 degrees. Some crock pots have more settings.

6. Allow 1- 1 1/2 hours cooking time in the slow cooker on the high setting for every 15 minutes of pan time. If you normally cook the recipe for 15 minutes in the pan, it will take 1 to 1 1/2 hours to cook in the slow cooker on the highest setting. To cook on the low setting the same recipe will require 2 to 3 hours to cook.

7. Remember to reduce the amount of liquids in the recipe. Steam is trapped and the water is recycled in a crock pot. No mater how long it simmers, it will never boil down.

8. Rice, noodles, and pasta should be added at the end of cooking time. If they are cooked for long periods they will get mushy and lose their flavor.

9. Diced meats are best if they are browned in a pan on the stove before adding to the crock pot.

10. Fresh herbs and spices should be added in the last 1/2 hour of cooking. Spices added at the beginning of cooking time will lose their flavor.

11. Cheese and other dairy products will break down and may curdle if cooked for long periods. Add these in the last few minutes of cooking time.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare recipes in the evening and store in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply put the kettle in the slow cooker, turn it on, and go.

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Resources

• Crock Pot Recipes