Slow Cooker Tips

I know this statement may generate a lot of comments, but here goes, a Slow Cooker and a Crock-Pot are the same thing.  Just like we call a tissue, a Kleenex, we call a slow cooker, a Crock-Pot.  Crock-Pot, was originally a trademarked name of the Rival Company.  The Crock-Pot was introduced to the American kitchen in 1971 and we fell in love with it!

I like to use my Slow Cooker all year long, but it seems I use it more in the fall and winter months.  I love to come home on a cold day and open the door to my kitchen and be meet with the warm delicious aroma, of a home cooked meal, ready and waiting for me in my Slow Cooker.

My new cookbook, Busy Woman's Slow Cooker Cookbook, is not for sale yet, but below are a few tips from the book.

Here are some handy tips for the Slow Cooker:

Cooking time in all recipes are approximations, affected by how much food is in the cooker, humidity, the temperature of the ingredients when you add them; so note that cooking times in the recipes are ranges only.

To make cleanup easier, spray the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray before adding food.

If a recipe calls for a meat to be browned, brown  it in a skillet.  The recipe will be better, it will enhance the flavor and decrease fat.

A Slow Cooker is great for tougher cuts of meat.

It is usually better to thaw meat before placing it in the Slow Cooker.  It will cook faster.

Fill the Slow Cooker between 1/2 and 2/3 full.

Add root vegetables to the Slow Cooker first, then add the meat.  Root vegetables cook slower than meat.

Cut vegetables into smaller pieces to ensure proper cooking.

Don't remove the lid during cooking unless a recipe calls for it.  Every time you lift the lid you will slow the cooking time by 20 to 30 minutes.

Don't leave food in the Slow Cooker.  Remove food within one hour.

Don't reheat food in a Slow Cooker because it takes too much time for food to reach a safe temperature.

Don't add water to clean the Slow Cooker until it has cooled.

Don't use metal utensils; use rubber, plastic or wood to avoid damaging interior of the Slow Cooker.

Check back on Friday, when I post my Slow Cooker recipe for, 

Pepper Steak Roast!

Sign up as a follower to enter my monthly, Cookbook Giveaways!

The first Friday of each month, I draw a name from my followers, to win my cookbook and other prizes.

This month I am giving away 4 cookbooks! 

Three Iowa State Fair Cookbooks!

My Cookbook!

I will be drawing a name from my followers to win four cookbooks, this Friday, October 1st.   The contest is open to all of my followers, regardless of where they live.   If your name is drawn and you have a blog, I will mention your blog address on my "Fast Food Fridays" radio show on the The Passion Radio Network, and then post your blog address on my blog. 

 

Sign up as a FOLLOWER for your chance to win!

Check out my blogging buddy, Bo's Blog (say that three times fast), Bo's Bowl.   Not only does he have great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

  

Also check out my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!