Beautiful Hints For Slow Cooking
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Less tender, cheaper cuts of meat are better choices for slow cooking
than more expensive varieties.
•
Meats will not brown during the cooking process. Browning fatty meats
will reduce the amount of fat and help to preserve color while adding
richer flavor. Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet and brown meats
prior to putting into the ceramic insert.
•
Whole herbs and spices flavor better in slow cooking than crushed
or ground.
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When cooking in a Slow Cooker, remember that liquids do not boil away
like they do in conventional cooking. Reduce the amount of liquid in any
recipe that is not designed for a Slow Cooker. The exceptions to this
rule would be rice and soups. Remember, liquids can always be added at
a later time if necessary. If a recipe results in too much liquid at the
end of the cooking time, turn the control dial to HIGH. Remove the glass
lid and continue cooking for 45 minutes. Check every 15 minutes until
the amount of liquid is reduced.
•
Most recipes that call for uncooked meat and vegetables require about
6 to 8 hours on LOW.
•
Foods cut into uniform pieces will cook faster and more evenly than
foods left whole such as roast or poultry.
•
Root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, turnips and beets require
longer cooking time than many meats. Be sure to place them on the bottom
of the Slow Cooker and cover them with liquid.
•
Add fresh dairy products (milk, sour cream or yogurt) prior to serving.
Evaporated milk or condensed creamed soups may be added at the start
of cooking.
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