| The first Christmas we spent with my in-laws in | | | | Tip # 8 - For the best color and texture, ground |
| their new country home, my mother-in-law wisely | | | | beef is best browned before using, except in |
| gave me a slow cooker. Her thoughtful gift helped | | | | meatloaf or other similar dishes. |
| Dan and I enjoy the most convenient of all | | | | Tip # 9 - It is not necessary to brown meat |
| cooking methods, even with our long work days | | | | before slow cooking, but it gives more depth of |
| and commute. | | | | flavor in the food and removes some of the fat, |
| I'll always treasure the memories of delicious | | | | especially in pork, lamb and sausages. If the meat |
| aromas wafting through the front door as we | | | | is lean, well trimmed and not highly marbled, it |
| stepped into the house after a long day at work | | | | doesn't need to be browned. |
| and a nerve-jangling commute in heavy traffic. | | | | Tip # 10 - For roasts and stews, pour liquid over |
| Most of the slow cooker recipes I used were | | | | meat. Use no more liquid than specified in the slow |
| based on meats and poultry. Here are 14 easy | | | | cooker recipes. More juices in meats and |
| tips to make your slow cooker recipes tasty and | | | | vegetables are retained in slow cooking than in |
| safe: | | | | conventional cooking. |
| Tip # 1 - According to the U.S. Department of | | | | Tip # 11 - Dark meat takes longer to cook, so if |
| Agriculture, bacteria in food are killed at a | | | | a whole cut up chicken is used, put the thighs and |
| temperature of 165°F. Meats cooked in the | | | | legs on the bottom. |
| slow cooker reach an internal temperature of | | | | Tip # 12 - The slightly coarser texture of |
| 170° in beef and as high as 190°F in | | | | corn-fed, organic or free-range poultry is ideal for |
| poultry. It is important to follow the | | | | slow cooker recipes. |
| recommended cooking times and to keep the | | | | Tip # 13 - Most meats require 8 hours of cooking |
| cover on your slow cooker during the cooking | | | | on LOW. Use cheaper cuts of meat - not only do |
| process. | | | | you save money, but these meats work better |
| Tip # 2 - It is best not use the slow cooker for | | | | for slow cooker recipes. Cheaper cuts of meat |
| large pieces like a roast or whole chicken because | | | | have less fat, which makes them more suited to |
| the food will cook so slowly it could remain in the | | | | crockpot cooking. Moist, long cooking times result |
| bacterial "danger zone" too long. | | | | in very tender meats. |
| Tip # 3 - Always defrost meat or poultry before | | | | Tip # 14 - Farberware FSC600 6-quart Oval Slow |
| putting it into a slow cooker. | | | | Cooker oval design accommodates oversize |
| Tip # 4 - Meats generally cook faster than most | | | | roasts, whole chickens, hams, and/or ribs. It |
| vegetables in a slow cooker. | | | | features a large, 6-quart capacity stoneware liner, |
| Tip # 5 - Trim all fat from meat and poultry. Fat | | | | which nests inside a chrome slow cooker base |
| can increase the temperature of the liquid in the | | | | and the auto setting switches to a lower 'keep |
| slow cooker and decrease the cooking time. This | | | | warm' setting after cooking food. |
| will cause the food t be overcooked. Fats will also | | | | For those who are not concerned about cooking |
| melt with long cooking times, and will add an | | | | in aluminum the West Bend Versatility 6-quart |
| unpleasant texture to the finished dish. | | | | Oval Slow Cooker will work well to cook meats. It |
| Tip # 6 - Cooking at higher temperatures will | | | | has a removable aluminum insert that can be used |
| generally give you a tougher piece of meat. for all | | | | on the stovetop to brown meats and caramelize |
| day cooking or for less-tender cuts of meat, you | | | | onions before slow cooking. The bottom unit can |
| may want to use the low setting. | | | | also be used on its own as a small griddle. Its |
| Tip # 7 - The slow cooker recipes are best used | | | | dishwasher-safe insert has a nonstick interior and |
| with the tougher cuts of meats. | | | | an included roasting rack. |