Slow Cookers And Crockpots

What size crockpot or slow cooker do I need?

Not sure what capacity your crock pot or slow cooker is? Or perhaps you are not sure how big a crockpot or slow cooker you need?

The following capacities are recommended guidelines only -
• 1.5 to 3.5 quart is best when feeding 3 people or less.
• 3.5 to 6.0 quart is best when feeding 6 people or less.
• 6.0 quart and larger is best for big family dinners and entertaining.

If you already have a slow cooker or slow cooker and are unsure of the capacity there is a simple way to check what size of slow cooker you have.

Take a measuring cup and fill you crockpot or slow cooker to the rim with water. Remember to keep track of how many cups it takes to fill the slow cooker to the rim.
So it takes 2 cups to fill it than that equals 1 pint, and 4 cups equal 1 quart.
If your slow cooker holds 31/2 to 4 quarts, you should get 14 to 16 cups of water into it.

Ideas on how to use your Crock Pot Slow Cooker

Are you one of the lucky ones who received a The Crock-Pot® or slow cooker as a gift? Not sure on how to use it? If you a beginner cook or even an experienced one the slow cooker is one of the best time saving appliances in the kitchen.

With high gas prices and soaring food costs Americans are now thinking about their everyday spending habits. Here are some ideas and tips on how to use your Crock-Pot® Slow cooker and how you can save money by using a Crock-Pot® slow cooker

• For an average family of four, dining out can cost you around $50. If you only dine out once a month that means you can save up to $600 per year. With a Crock-Pot® slow cooker, you can make delicious, home-cooked meals for less – enjoying more “family time” and home cooked meals while also saving money!

• You could organize a special night with friends and neighbors at home. This could be a theme night such as Italian, French or Slow Roasted meats. You then give each person one course of the meal from appetizers to entrees to dessert. Use the The Crock-Pot® Cook & Carry slow cooker or the The Crock-Pot® Dip master to take your warm, tasty food to the party without spilling a drop.

• Steak tenderloin averages $15 a pound and is great for a special occasion cooked on the grill,but by choosing less expensive cuts of meat, like pot roast or stew meat, you can save an average of up to $50 a week or up to $200 a month on your grocery bill – now that prices for less expensive cuts are down 4.9%! The Crock-Pot Slow Cooker will take the less expensive cuts of meat and melt out fat, making them fall-off-the-bone tender and delicious.

In addition, a Crock-Pot® slow cooker, only uses approximately 75 watts of electricity on LOW and approximately 150 watts on HIGH. It cooks all day for only a few cents!

Hamilton Beach 6 Qt Slow Cooker 33966

Running late? Last-minute party preparations? Don’t worry, Hamilton Beach Programmable 6 qt Slow Cooker adapts to your schedule. Once cooking is complete, this 6 qt slow cooker automatically adjusts to keep your meal warm and prevent overcooking. How’s that for Good Thinking™? Three distinct cooking modes in the slow cooker 33966 allow you to create a delicious dinner in spite of any traffic or scheduling surprises that come your way.

This 6 qt slow cooker has a thermometer probe that lets you cook food to a specific temperature or you can cook your meal for a specific length of time. Either way, your Hamilton Beach Programmable 6 qt Slow Cooker will take it from there, keeping your meal warm until you’re ready to sit down and enjoy it. This 6 qt Slow Cooker also comes with a thermometer probe for meat. It features three choices for easy, automatic cooking: Probe, Program and Manual. It has full-grip handles and power interrupt protection.

Features and Benefits of Hamilton Beach 6 Qt Slow Cooker 33966

* 3 choices for easy, automatic cooking
* Thermometer probe for meat
* Full-grip handles
* Temperature guide
* Power interrupt protection

A great place to buy for only $50.95 is http://www.buyqualitykitchenware.com

Slow Cooker Recipes

Opening the front door on a cold evening and being greeted by the inviting smells of your meal wafting from a slow cooker can be a diner’s dream come true.

Chicken Cacciatore

Serves: 4 to 6
Cooking Time: 4 to 4 ½ hours
Cooking Level: Easy

Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs, 2½ to 3 pounds total
• 1¾ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1½ teaspoons Emeril’s Original Essence
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups sliced yellow onions
• 8 ounces sliced button mushrooms
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed, with juices
• ½ cup dry white wine
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• Cooked pasta, for serving, optional
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving, optional

Directions:

• Season the chicken on both sides with 1 teaspoon of the salt, the black pepper, and Essence.
• Dredge lightly in ¼ cup of the flour.
• Heat the olive oil in a large non stick skillet and, when hot, cook the chicken thighs until golden on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer thighs to the slow cooker.
• To the same skillet add the onions, mushrooms and red pepper flakes, and cook until softened and lightly caramelized, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Add the garlic, oregano, rosemary, bay leaf and remaining 2 tablespoons flour and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, and remaining salt, and stir to combine.
• Transfer to the slow cooker, cover and cook until chicken is fork-tender, 4 to 4 ½ hours on high.
• Stir in the basil and adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Let sit on warm for 10 minutes and then serve over cooked pasta, garnished with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Slow Cooker Tomato Marinated Ribs

Serves: 4
Cooking Time: 8- 10 hours
Cooking Level: Easy

Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs ribs
• 2 small cans tomato sauce
• 1 c. beef consomme
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 3 tomatoes, chopped

Directions

1. Place ribs in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, mix remaining ingredients and pour over the ribs.
3. Cook on high for 6 hours or on low for 8-10.
4. You may want to turn the ribs in the middle to ensure they are thoroughly coated with tomato sauce.
5. The sauce is extra delicious on rice!

Food handling and safety tips when using a Slow Cooker

Food handling and safety tips when using a Slow Cooker

• Start with a clean slow cooker, clean utensils and a clean work area. Importantly wash hands before and during food preparation. This is very important if you are handling raw meat or poultry.

• Keep perishable foods refrigerated until preparation time. If you cut up meat and vegetables in advance, store them separately in the refrigerator. The slow cooker may take several hours to reach a safe, bacteria-killing temperature. Constant refrigeration assures that bacteria, which multiply rapidly at room temperature, won’t get a “head start” during the first few hours of cooking.

• Always thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Choose to make foods with a high moisture content such as chili, soup, stew or spaghetti sauce.

• If using a commercially frozen slow cooker meal, prepare according to manufacturer’s instructions.

• It is important to avoid extended heat-up and cool-down periods. According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), bacteria thrive at temperatures in a zone between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

• If you are not at home during the entire slow-cooking process and the power goes out, throw away the food even if it looks done.

• If you are at home, finish cooking the ingredients immediately by some other means: on a gas stove, on the outdoor grill or at a house where the power is on.

• When you are at home, and if the food was completely cooked before the power went out, the food should remain safe up to two hours in the slow cooker with the power off.

• For all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting. If possible, turn the slow cooker on the highest setting for the first hour of cooking time and then to low or the setting called for in your recipe.

• It’s safe to cook foods on low the entire time — if you’re leaving for work, for example, and preparation time is limited.

• While food is cooking and once it’s done, food will stay safe as long as the slow cooker is operating.

• Store leftovers in shallow covered containers and refrigerate within two hours after cooking is finished.

• Reheating leftovers in a slow cooker is not recommended.

Cleaning and Maintaining your Slow Cooker

To clean and keep your Slow Cooker looking like new follow these recommendations:

• The slow cooker is an electrical appliance so CAUTION: Never immerse the heating base in water or other liquid.
• ALWAYS turn your slow cooker off, unplug it from the electrical outlet, and allow it to cool before cleaning.
• The lid can be washed in the dishwasher (if it is dish-washer safe) or with hot, soapy water.
• For models with removable stoneware, you can remove the stoneware and wash in the dishwasher (if it is dish-washer safe) or with hot, soapy water.
• As with any fine ceramic, the stoneware and lid will not withstand sudden temperature changes and remember DO NOT WASH THE STONEWARE WITH COLD WATER WHILE THE STONEWARE IS STILL HOT
• Do not use abrasive cleaning compounds or scouring pads.
• A cloth, sponge, or rubber spatula will usually remove any residue.
• The outside of the heating base may be cleaned with a soft cloth rinsed in warm, soapy water and then wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Features of a slow cooker

There are so many different models of slow cookers to serve individual and family needs including an array of sizes, programming and features.
They range from the basic manual slow cookers that have 2 or 3 heat settings, removable, dishwasher safe stoneware and glass lid;
The programmable slow cookers give you one touch control with multiple time and temperature setting, removable, dishwasher safe stoneware and glass lid.
The cook and carry slow cookers and accessories are great for meals on the go they have locking lids, carrying handles and travel bags.

When looking for a slow cooker here are some features to make you life just that little bit easier.

• Cool outer wall unit
• An Inner crock that is removable because it makes for any easy cleanup and allows for refrigeration of foods before and after cooking.
• A glass lid so that you can monitor your cooking without lifting the lid. If you lift the lid during cooking you will introduce a lot more moisture into your food. A higher domed lid would be best if you think you will cooking joints of meat or whole poultry.
• You need at least three settings or more.
• The Keep warm function which is useful if you’re using your slow cooker at a party and want the contents to stay warm for a few hours, or if you want to keep meals warm for late coming family members.
• A timer so if you are not there when it finishes cooking it goes to the keep warm function.
• An indicator light so you know if it is on.
• Cord length – Make sure you cord will easily reach the socket you want to use.

Sizes and Shapes of Slow Cookers

Sizes in Slow Cookers

You need to select a slow cooker that suits your family needs. A slow cooker is often described by its size (measured in quarts) and they range from 1 to 11 quarts. Sometimes the smallest sizes are not necessarily even big enough for 1 portion, so be sure to go with at least the 4 quart size (family size). Buying a 6 quart or 8 quart size slow cooker is a great idea if you like cooking extra food to have leftovers you can freeze and eat at a later time.

A general guideline to size is:

• Single- 1 1/2 quart
• Couple-2 to 3 1/2 quart
• Small family of three or four -3 1/2 to 4 1/2 quart
• Family of four to five -5 quart
• Families of six or more -6 quart or more

Shapes in Slow Cookers

Slow cookers come in 2 basic shapes round or oval. The round shape is more compact and space-saving for cooking recipes such as stews, soups or curries. The Oval shape can accommodate large roasts such as chicken and other irregularly-shaped chunks of meat.

Some great examples of Slow Cookers on the market at the moment include –
Click here for A Rival 2.5qt Slow Cooker with white exterior
Hamilton beach 4 Qt. Slow Cooker
Large family size Hamilton Beach 7 Qt. Slow Cooker

Do I need a Slow Cooker?

Here are some great reasons why you need a slow cooker!

• The slow cooker requires very little power (about as much electricity as a light bulb)to operate so they save money on energy
• Due to their low energy they use they keep your kitchen cooler as they cook delicious meals.
• The long slow cooking retains the moisture so you can use a cheaper cut of meat and that will also save you money.
• You do not have to constantly watch it cooking
• You prepare your ingredients and cook your food when it is convenient to you.
• You can use items from your pantry
• They are quick, easy and convenient one pot cooking and if you have a removable crock this can double as a serving dish at the table.
• Free up your time so you can spend more time with family and loved ones

If you are trying to get away from today’s preservative-laden fast food and convenience foods, it’s time to rediscover your slow cooker. In the early 70’s slow cookers started to become more popular, Rival was the first to make crock-pots for in home use. As people learned how to use them, they were able to take advantage of all the capabilities that the crock-pots had to offer.

On a busy day, who doesn’t love to come home in the evening to the wonderful aroma of a hot already-prepared meal? Whether it’s a succulent pot roast, tender chicken or a simple casserole, slow cookers create amazing aromas and even better meals. Slow Cookers and Crockpots are perfect for today’s busy lifestyle. Meals cooked in Slow Cookers suit a variety of lifestyles and slow cooking is a great way to provide delicious home cooked meals for people and families on the go, and they produce flavorful meals time after time.

The best thing about a slow cooker, of course, is that it frees you to do other things while the food is cooking. You can place all of the ingredients into your crock pot or other slow cooker, and your food will be ready and waiting when you arrive home.

To maximize flavors when you create your own culinary masterpiece in the slow cooker you should -

1. Use a recipe specifically created for slow cookers. If you are dying to convert a traditional recipe to a crock pot recipe, there are some rules to follow. You will need to decrease the amount of liquid you add, as a slow cooker retains moisture and you will end up with more liquid at the end of the cooking time than you had when you started and this can dilute the flavors of your dish. To go a long with your slow cooker you need to take advantage of the large number of good recipes that are available. There are lots of recipes specifically designed for slow cookers so why not try something different?

2. Brown meat, chicken or onions beforehand. Many recipes call for you to put all of the ingredients into the crock pot raw – and that’s perfectly fine to do. But if you would like to enhance the flavor of your final dish by browning your meat or chicken and sautéing your onions before you add them to the pot. The modern Slow Cookers have removable cookware for easy stove top searing that fits in the base to finish the meal so you are still only using one pot.

3. Buy the less expensive cuts of meat. Unlike a grill which relies on high heat to cook the slow cooker retains the moisture of the dish and because the meat is cooked slowly over time, these less expensive cuts will melt in your mouth by the time they are finished cooking.

4. Cut your vegetables into small pieces. You will need to layer your vegetables if you want them to be cooked at the same time. You put the hard vegetables (potatoes, carrots or any root vegetable) on the bottom or against the side as they are the vegetables that need the most heat to cook in the moisture. The other vegetables are then layered on top of the hard vegetables.

5. Avoid opening the lid while crock pot is cooking. The secret to crock pot/slow cooking is the moisture it retains as it cooks your food. When you open the lid of a crock pot, you let out the steam and moisture, and this will change your cooking time (by as much as 20 minutes).

6. As with all new ways of cooking it’s important to follow the recipe closely, add each ingredient when the recipe calls for it – and then leave your slow cooker alone!

What size crockpot or slow cooker do I need?

Ideas on how to use your Crock Pot Slow Cooker

Hamilton Beach 6 Qt Slow Cooker 33966

Slow Cooker Recipes

Food handling and safety tips when using a Slow Cooker

Cleaning and Maintaining your Slow Cooker

Features of a slow cooker

Sizes and Shapes of Slow Cookers

Do I need a Slow Cooker?

Slow Cookers and Crockpots

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