| If you're new to crockpot cooking and have decided | | | | tomatoes -- then these would be added on top when |
| you want to give it a try -- whether it's to save time, | | | | the cooking is almost complete. |
| money, or just to add some variety to your cooking | | | | 5. Now that you've decided how to layer and if to |
| methods -- then you may want to read up on the | | | | layer, you're ready to fill the crock. Most crockpots are |
| essential crockpot cooking tips. | | | | about 1/2 to 2/3rds full for all recipes. Check the |
| | | | guidelines that come with your crockpot as it will give |
| 1. For meat dishes, defrost meat completely -- | | | | you a recommended capacity level. |
| especially if you're using roasts. Why? The center of | | | | 6. If you're adapting one of your recipes from the oven |
| the meat may encourage bacterial growth if it remains | | | | to the crock, you may have to reduce the amount of |
| cool long enough. You can thaw food overnight in the | | | | liquid in a recipe. Crockpots retain their moisture much |
| refrigerator or use the microwave just before adding | | | | better than other cooking methods. |
| to the crockpot. | | | | 7. Crockpot recipes usually take about 7-9 hours on |
| 2. You may need to cut and trim the meat before you | | | | the low setting. So plan accordingly. Temperatures can |
| place it into the crock. It's best that roasts and other | | | | range from about 170-300 degrees. |
| large cuts fit into the crockpot, but if not, trimming is | | | | 8. Do not remove the lid while the food is cooking, |
| better than stuffing! If taste and health are important, | | | | unless it's specifically required -- such as adding garnish |
| get rid of extra fat and skin also. This will decrease the | | | | or dairy products at the end. If you do, the heat will |
| fat content and take away any oily flavor. If veggies | | | | escape which will reduce the temperature and add |
| are part of the recipe, cutting meats and vegetables | | | | about another 20 minutes to the cooking time. General |
| the same size will ensure even cooking. | | | | rule: One peek and add 20 more minutes to wait, two |
| 3. Before adding anything, spray your crockpot with | | | | peeks and 40 more minutes to wait etc... |
| cooking oil as it will make cleaning much easier. | | | | 9. Add any dairy products -- creams, cheeses -- during |
| 4. If your recipe is a mixture of meat and root | | | | the last hour of cooking. And if these are used to |
| vegetables -- such as potatoes, carrots and onions -- | | | | thicken sauces at the end of cooking, you may want |
| put vegetables in the bottom of the pot and then place | | | | to turn up the heat setting. |
| the meat on top of the vegetables. This will enable | | | | 10. Buy a crockpot cooking book! This may be the |
| more even cooking as these root vegetables usually | | | | best tip as you'll be given recipes with step by step |
| cook more slowly than meat. Now if you use | | | | guides. The more you follow the specific crock recipes, |
| vegetables to garnish and to add some color to your | | | | the easier it will be to adapt your own. |
| dish -- such as red or green peppers, herbs or | | | | Happy crockpot cooking! |