Richard Lee Holbert
To dailyrecipes
Crockpot cooking is fun and easy, and it can save you money as well! There are many
crockpot recipes that can be assembled in a jiffy, and the crockpot will also cook your meal safely while you're away. Just assemble the meal in the pot, turn it to the low setting, and go on your way. When you come back, you will be welcomed by a fragrant house and a ready dinner!
A crockpot is especially good for cooking tough cuts of meat. You can buy meat that resembles shoe leather, and after being cooked in the crockpot, it'll come out as the tenderest, juiciest meat you've ever tasted.
Crockpot cooking is fun and easy, and it can save you money as well! There are many crockpot recipes that can be assembled in a jiffy, and the crockpot will also cook your
meal while you're away at work. Just assemble the meal in the pot, turn it to the low setting, and go earn your pay. When you come back, you will be welcomed by a fragrant house and a ready dinner!
A crockpot is especially good for cooking tough cuts of meat. You can buy meat that resembles shoe leather, and after being cooked in the crockpot, it'll come out as the tenderest, juiciest meat you've ever tasted. It will practically melt off the bones, and in your mouth too!
Buying a Crockpot
Make sure to get one with a removable liner. It is easier to clean. Buy a large crockpot. Once you get used to it, you'll want to use it for all kinds of dishes, and you will definitely
need a larger size. A traditional crockpot (where the heat comes from all around the insert) is better than the crockpot kind (where the heat comes from underneath). The reason is that when the heat is all around the insert, the food cooks faster and more
evenly.
Using a Crockpot
Most crockpot recipes call for a cooking time of about 8 hours on low. If a recipe calls for less time (or you want to cook on high), you can use a household timer to start the crockpot at the appropriate time, and to turn it off as well. Just use the same type of timer used to turn lights on and off when you're away from home.
Use the crockpot for slow cooking dishes you normally cook on the stove, such as stew, spaghetti sauce, soups, chili, etc. They cook unattended and you can use that time for something else. Resist the impulse to peek inside the crockpot. Every time you lift the lid, you add about 30 minutes cooking time, due to heat loss. Always put vegetables at the bottom. They take longer to cook than meat.
Crockpot FAQ'S
what's the difference between a crockery cooker and
a crockpot?
The most common models have a crockery pot insert and the heating elements
are housed in the sides, so the heat actually surrounds the food. The two heat settings
are low (200 degrees) and high (300 degrees). The crockpot
or "multi-cooker" usually cooks from the bottom and might have
a thermostat allowing a wide range of temperatures. Even if
your crockpot has a crockery insert you may need to stir some recipes occasionally
to prevent scorching. Every time the lid is lifted, add 20 minutes to the overall cooking time.
The commonly used term Crock-Pot® is actually Rival Manufacturing
Company's trademarked name. Most recipes designed for the crock pot
are with the two-setting Rival model in mind, so adjust accordingly
if using another brand of cooker, and read the manufacturer's
instructions.
What are some advantages of slow cooking?
The extended cooking times allow better mingling of flavors in many recipes.
The lower temperatures lessen the chance
of scorching of foods which tend to stick to the bottom of a pan
and burn easily in an oven. Less expensive or tough meats are
tenderized through the long cooking process. The crockpot is
a good choice for cooking many venison dishes.
The crockpot frees your oven and stove top for other uses,
and should always be considered as an option for large gatherings
or holiday meals.
Convenience! A crockpot can be left unattended all day
for many recipes. You can put recipe ingredients in it before going to work and come home to a meal.
Does a crockpot get hot enough to cook foods safely?
Even at the low setting, internal temperatures of foods
are raised well above 140 degrees, the minimum temperature
at which bacteria are killed.
What foods are not suited to slow cooking?
Natural cheeses tend to break down, so should be avoided,
replaced by process cheese, or added late in cooking. Milk will curdle over long cooking times, but you can substitute
evaporated milk or stir in heavy cream or sour cream near
the end of cooking. Fish and seafood are not usually good
candidates for the crockpot, and should be added late in any recipe for soup or chowder.
Do I have to brown meats before adding them?
Browning meats help reduce the fat content and
enhance the flavor and texture of dishes, but it is not
necessary. Because of the condensation in a crockpot,
reduce the liquid if you are making a
sauce or gravy from it.
Why are potatoes still hard after hours of cooking?
Root vegetables, like potatoes, carrots, and turnip, should be cut in small pieces, about 1-inch, and layered
on the bottom of the crock so they will start to cook as
soon as the liquid heats.
Can I use a timer on my crockpot?
A timer will allow you to cook a dish requiring 6 hours
even though you will be away for 8 hours. Make sure all ingredients are chilled, and for safety, start the cooking
no longer than 2 hours later. For poultry, no longer than 1 hour later. The cooked food should not stand for longer
than 2 hours after the cooking time ends. Another alternative for a dish requiring a short cooking time
is to cook it the night before, cool for no longer than 2 hours,
and refrigerate. Heat it in the microwave the next day.
What size crockpot should I buy?
Popular sizes are 3 1/2-, 4-, and 5-quart models. Most have removable liners. The 3 1/2-quart models are fine for
most dishes and needs, but the 5-quart models allow you to insert other dishes, such as soufflé, springform pans, or
pudding molds, giving you a wider range of options. Manufacturers
usually recommend filling the pot half to three-quarters full, so
if you're cooking for two, this might be an important consideration.
Crockpot Safety
To qualify as a safe crockpot, the appliance must
be able to cook slow enough for unattended cooking, yet fast
enough to keep food above the danger zone.
To determine if a crockpot will heat to a safe temperature:
Fill cooker with 2 quarts of water. Heat on low for 8 hours or
desired cooking time. Check the water temperature with an accurate
thermometer (quickly because the temperature drops 10 to 15 degrees when the lid is removed).
The temperature of the water should be
185°. Temperatures above this would indicate that a product cooked
for 8 hours without stirring would be over-done. Temperatures below this may indicate the cooker does
not heat food high enough or fast
enough to avoid potential food safety problems. When preparing food
in a crockpot, follow these guidelines:
Start with fresh or thawed meat - not frozen.
Use chunks rather than large cuts or roasts. Use pieces
of poultry - not a whole chicken.
Cook meat on high for 1 hour and then turn cooker to low. Only use recipes that include a liquid.
Check internal temperature to make sure food reaches
160 degrees F. Do not delay starting time. Do not reheat foods
in crockpot.
Keep the lid on.
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