| The Joy of Slow Cooking |
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Slow and Steady Cooking
In today's busy world, things just seem to be getting
faster, including the time we spend preparing meals.
What a surprise to discover that using a slow cooker
is an answer to everyday dinner. Slow cooking is the
best way to keep pace with our busy lives since the
meal you're making requires little to no attention
while it cooks, and you'll enjoy a home cooked, good
for you meal.
Designed for economy and ease as well as for comfort
and convenience, this slow, steady cooking method
fits into every life style. Put the ingredients into the
slow cooker, then cover and let it cook while your
hard at work, running errands, or enjoying the day
outside. Small families and individuals can also enjoy
the benefits of slow cooking, since you can make
enough to enjoy "planned overs" on another day. And
nothing is quite as welcoming as coming home to the
rich aroma of a home cooked meal wafting through
the house. Invest in the convenience and comfort of
slow cooking. It offer a variety of advantages.
Energy Efficient
Slow cooking uses very little electricity because the
wattage used is low. Consumers benefit because this
is a low-cost way to prepare a meal.
Cool Cooking
Slow cooking isn't just for stews and soups during the
winter. You can do it all year round, and without
using the oven during the summer, the kitchen stays
cooler. It's also great when your oven is in use and
you want to make side dishes or desserts.
Perfectly Portable
A slow cooker is the perfect appliance for motor
homes, to take to the cabin and for college students. It
eliminates the need for multiple pots and pans. It is
great to carry along to potlucks, parties and other
social events because your dish will stay warm.
No Clock Watching
If you are stuck in traffic or running late for an
appointment, not to worry! An extra half or full hours
on the low setting will not ruin a meal in the slow
cookers.
Easy Preparation
Cut vegetables and meat when you have the time(you
can even brown the meat ahead of time), wrap them
separately and refrigerate, then place them in the slow
cooker the next morning. Dinner will be ready and
waiting when you get home, and even you will be
surprised by how easy it was.
Moist and Flavorful
Slow cooking allows the juices of foods to blend and
create tender, flavorful dishes, and the meat generally
shrinks less.
In today's busy world, things just seem to be getting
faster, including the time we spend preparing meals.
What a surprise to discover that using a slow cooker
is an answer to everyday dinner. Slow cooking is the
best way to keep pace with our busy lives since the
meal you're making requires little to no attention
while it cooks, and you'll enjoy a home cooked, good
for you meal.
Designed for economy and ease as well as for comfort
and convenience, this slow, steady cooking method
fits into every life style. Put the ingredients into the
slow cooker, then cover and let it cook while your
hard at work, running errands, or enjoying the day
outside. Small families and individuals can also enjoy
the benefits of slow cooking, since you can make
enough to enjoy "planned overs" on another day. And
nothing is quite as welcoming as coming home to the
rich aroma of a home cooked meal wafting through
the house. Invest in the convenience and comfort of
slow cooking. It offer a variety of advantages.
Energy Efficient
Slow cooking uses very little electricity because the
wattage used is low. Consumers benefit because this
is a low-cost way to prepare a meal.
Cool Cooking
Slow cooking isn't just for stews and soups during the
winter. You can do it all year round, and without
using the oven during the summer, the kitchen stays
cooler. It's also great when your oven is in use and
you want to make side dishes or desserts.
Perfectly Portable
A slow cooker is the perfect appliance for motor
homes, to take to the cabin and for college students. It
eliminates the need for multiple pots and pans. It is
great to carry along to potlucks, parties and other
social events because your dish will stay warm.
No Clock Watching
If you are stuck in traffic or running late for an
appointment, not to worry! An extra half or full hours
on the low setting will not ruin a meal in the slow
cookers.
Easy Preparation
Cut vegetables and meat when you have the time(you
can even brown the meat ahead of time), wrap them
separately and refrigerate, then place them in the slow
cooker the next morning. Dinner will be ready and
waiting when you get home, and even you will be
surprised by how easy it was.
Moist and Flavorful
Slow cooking allows the juices of foods to blend and
create tender, flavorful dishes, and the meat generally
shrinks less.
Slow Cooking Savvy
Although using a slow cooker is pretty simple,
boning up on the basics is a good idea so you'll be
familiar with what slow cookers offer. Here's a brief
rundown of the two types of slow cookers
available, both designed to ensure even cooking
with an automatic control.
Continuous Slow Cooker
The food cooks continuously at a very low wattage.
The heating coils are in the outer metal shell. The
coils become hot and stay on constantly to heat the
crockery liner This type of cooker has two or three
fixed settings: low (about 200 deg's), high (about
300 deg's) and in some newer models, auto, which
shifts from hight to low automatically. The ceramic
liner may be fixed or removable. Removable liner
offer easy cleanup.
Intermittent Crockery Cooker
This cooker has a heating element in the base on
which the cooking container stands. The heat cycles
on and off (like and oven) to maintain a constant
temperature. The cookers have a dial with number
or temperatures. Be sure the follow the use-and
-care book that comes with the cooker to determine
what settings to use. Often, the lowest
setting/temperature is only for keeping foods
warm, not for cooking.
Slow cookers range in size from a 1 to 6 quart
capacity. The 1 quart size is perfect for making and
keeping dips and spreads warm for a party. The
larger sizes are ideal for cooking one dish meals
and other family favorites.
High or Low
Most slow cookers have low and high control
setting. At the low heat setting, the food
temperature remains just below the boiling point.
Many recipes use the low heat setting because the
longer cooking time often fits better into your daily
schedule. You can start dinner before leaving your
home in the morning, and it is ready when you
return.
At the high heat setting, liquid gently bubbles and
cooks approximately twice as fast as on low heat. It
is always best to use the heat setting that a recipe
recommends, but sometimes you prefer a shorter
cook time. Use the guide that 1 hour on high is
equal to 2 to 2 1/2 hours of cooking on low.
After the food is cooked, it can be held at the low
heat setting up to an hour or so without
overcooking. Remember, it is best to check
occasionally to see whether it needs to be stirred.
How Full
For best results, a slow cooker should be between
1/2 to 2/3 full of food. This helps to ensure that the
liquid will not cook away during the long hours of
cooking. It also helps keep the food moist and
tender.
Although using a slow cooker is pretty simple,
boning up on the basics is a good idea so you'll be
familiar with what slow cookers offer. Here's a brief
rundown of the two types of slow cookers
available, both designed to ensure even cooking
with an automatic control.
Continuous Slow Cooker
The food cooks continuously at a very low wattage.
The heating coils are in the outer metal shell. The
coils become hot and stay on constantly to heat the
crockery liner This type of cooker has two or three
fixed settings: low (about 200 deg's), high (about
300 deg's) and in some newer models, auto, which
shifts from hight to low automatically. The ceramic
liner may be fixed or removable. Removable liner
offer easy cleanup.
Intermittent Crockery Cooker
This cooker has a heating element in the base on
which the cooking container stands. The heat cycles
on and off (like and oven) to maintain a constant
temperature. The cookers have a dial with number
or temperatures. Be sure the follow the use-and
-care book that comes with the cooker to determine
what settings to use. Often, the lowest
setting/temperature is only for keeping foods
warm, not for cooking.
Slow cookers range in size from a 1 to 6 quart
capacity. The 1 quart size is perfect for making and
keeping dips and spreads warm for a party. The
larger sizes are ideal for cooking one dish meals
and other family favorites.
High or Low
Most slow cookers have low and high control
setting. At the low heat setting, the food
temperature remains just below the boiling point.
Many recipes use the low heat setting because the
longer cooking time often fits better into your daily
schedule. You can start dinner before leaving your
home in the morning, and it is ready when you
return.
At the high heat setting, liquid gently bubbles and
cooks approximately twice as fast as on low heat. It
is always best to use the heat setting that a recipe
recommends, but sometimes you prefer a shorter
cook time. Use the guide that 1 hour on high is
equal to 2 to 2 1/2 hours of cooking on low.
After the food is cooked, it can be held at the low
heat setting up to an hour or so without
overcooking. Remember, it is best to check
occasionally to see whether it needs to be stirred.
How Full
For best results, a slow cooker should be between
1/2 to 2/3 full of food. This helps to ensure that the
liquid will not cook away during the long hours of
cooking. It also helps keep the food moist and
tender.
Now that you know what "Slow Cooking" is, why don't you try a couple of my favorite recipes this week. I'll bet your family will love them. I know that mine do. Have fun with your cooker. |
| Chef Teaspoon |
 |
Downtown Grove, Oklahoma
(919) 786-4700
(919) 786-4700
