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Published:
November 10, 2000

Slow Cookers For Dummies

Overview

The secret is out: That slow cooker that's been collecting dust in your kitchen cabinet is a wonderful and easy tool for making delicious entrees at the touch of a button. With new U.S. sales estimated at 6 million a year, more people are finding slow cookers indispensable in getting a home-cooked meal on the table. Besides tasting good, slow cooked meals are convenient and nutritious because you use fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Slow Cookers For Dummies is for working families, couples, single people, students, and anyone who is tired of takeout. Perhaps you love cooking but have little time to do it or want to decrease your reliance on prepared mixes or boxed convenience foods. Slow cooking may be right for you if you want to

  • Save money on food and utility bills
  • Control your sodium and fat intake
  • Free up your oven and cooktop for more holiday cooking
  • Take a hot dish to a potluck supper

If you already know how to use a slow cooker, the delicious recipes in this book can help you expand your

repertoire beyond soups and stews. If you're thinking of getting a slow cooker, Slow Cookers For Dummies takes you from the basics of how these cookers work to preparing special occasion meals, to troubleshooting slow cooker problems.

Here's a closer look at what Slow Cookers For Dummies includes:

  • Guidelines on how to choose the right slow cooker for you
  • Techniques to help you slow-cook the right way
  • Easy recipes for snacks, beverages, chili, stews, and casseroles
  • Scrumptious recipes for roasting beef, pork, lamb, and poultry
  • How-to's on cooking and freezing in batches
  • Ways to adapt favorite traditionally cooked dishes for the slow cooker

In Slow Cookers for Dummies, food and appliance cooking experts Tom Lacalamita and Glenna Vance show that this classic cooking appliance is really a wonderful tool for making creative, delicious meals. With 75 recipes for making the most out of your slow cooker, you'll never put that slow cooker in your cabinet again.

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About The Author

Glenna Vance (Milwaukee, WI) is director of consumer affairs for a major ingredient manufacturer in the Midwest. A published author, Glenna has been involved in developing consumer recipe programs with major appliance manufacturers and ingredient companies. As a board member of the Milwaukee chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food, Glenna is instrumental in bringing nationally renowned culinary professionals to Milwaukee for culinary programs and events.

Tom Lacalamita (Long Island, NY) is a bestselling author of five apppliance-related cookbooks. Nominated for a James Beard cookbook award, Lacalamita is considered to be a national authority on housewares and has appeared on hundreds of television and radio shows across the country. With a passion for food, cooking, and all sorts of kitchen gadgets, Tom is also a spokesperson for various food and housewares manufacturers.

Sample Chapters

slow cookers for dummies

CHEAT SHEET

You can make easy and delicious meals in your slow cooker, with some helpful tips, you can even convert your favorite traditional recipes to the slow cooker. Make sure you use the slow cooker temperature guide to cook dishes thoroughly and convert temperatures, if necessary.Tips for using your slow cookerYou can prepare great food in your slow cooker without a lot of fuss.

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Articles from
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You can adapt a lot of standard recipes to work in your slow cooker. Recipes that do work in the slow cooker do require some changes in relation to ingredients, the amount of liquids, and length of cooking: Vegetables: To ensure that vegetables of the same type cook evenly, cut them into uniform, equal-sized pieces.
Whoever Betty was, she must have been a creative, thrifty cook with some day-old bread, butter, and apples on hand. Apple Brown Betty transforms simple ingredients into a really cozy, homey dessert. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours on High Yield: 6 servings 5 medium Granny Smith apples 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter 3 cups fresh white bread crumbs 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Peel and core the apples.
Creamier than traditional chocolate pudding, this chocolate custard is smooth on the tongue and rich in taste! Making chocolate custard in your slow cooker makes for a rich pudding experience. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: High 2 to 2 1/2 hours Yield: 6 servings 2 cups water 2 cups milk 1 square unsweetened chocolate 3 large eggs 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, or 1 teaspoon dark rum Bring the water to a bowl in a small saucepan.
Cocktail franks in barbecue sauce are a party favorite, and there are plenty of variations. This recipe for cocktail franks in spicy tomato barbecue sauce can go straight from the slow cooker to the buffet table at your next festive gathering. You can even double this recipe and make it in a 6-quart slow cooker.
Celebrate New Year's Day, St. Patrick’s Day, or any day you need some of the luck of the Irish with traditional corned beef and cabbage. Corned beef needs long, slow cooking for tenderness, but it's easy work with a slow cooker. In the morning, put everything in the pot, and you'll come home to a delicious, hot meal.
Slow cooker recipes average 6 to 10 hours of cook time. If you want to convert your favorite recipes to the slow cooker, use the following guidelines. (You can always check to make sure your food has safely finished cooking by using a meat or instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the cooked food without touching bone or the cooking container to get an accurate reading.
A slow cooker is truly a pleasure to use. Manufacturers seem determined to outdo themselves in making slow cookers more user-friendly and convenient, so you have plenty of options when picking out a slow cooker: Shape: Slow cookers are available in two shapes: round and oval. The traditional round shape is perfect for making soups, chilis, and stews.
Egg-lemon chicken soup dates to the days of the ancient Greeks and is enjoyed around the Mediterranean. In traditional egg-lemon chicken soup, the egg adds body and silkiness, while the lemon adds a nice tang to the broth. Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 8 to 10 hours on Low, plus 25 minutes Yield: 6 servings 1 chicken (4 to 5 pounds) 4 chicken wings 1 clove garlic 1 large onion 2 carrots 2 stalks celery 1/2 bunch parsley 1 bay leaf 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns 1 chicken bouillon cube 4 quarts cold water 1/3 cup uncooked rice 3 large eggs 1 large lemon Salt Cut the chicken into quarters.
An authentic slow cooker is a simple, uncomplicated appliance with no moving parts. Even though you most likely know what a slow cooker looks like, this list breaks down the parts of every slow cooker: Transparent cover: Most slow cookers have a heavy glass lid, but some are plastic. Always cover the slow cooker when cooking, to retain heat.
Thoroughly washing hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent contamination. Although most people know that they should wash their hands well before handling food, many people don’t follow that safety guideline. Most germs and bacteria are passed from one person to another by hand contact. You shake hands with someone, or someone touches something you eat and — bingo — you wind up getting contaminated.
This stew of braised pork and vegetables with a hint of lemon makes for a delicious supper. Lemon and thyme pork stew needs only a tossed green salad and some crisp, crusty bread as accompaniments. Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 8 to 10 hours on Low Yield: 4 servings 2 pounds boneless pork loin 2 large potatoes 4 parsnips 1 large red onion 2 stalks celery 1 lemon 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 cups chicken broth 2 teaspoons dried thyme 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup flour 1 package (10 ounces) frozen French-style green beans Trim the pork loin of all visible fat and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
This cheesy nacho cheese sauce can have as much zip as you want. Spoon some of the nacho cheese sauce over tortilla chips on a plate, and then top it with sliced scallions, sliced black olives, or pickled jalapeño slices. Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 3 to 4 hours on Low Yield: 24 servings 1 package (2 pounds) Velveeta Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product 4 cups salsa 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese 2 cans (6 ounces each) chopped green chiles Cut the Velveeta into 1-inch cubes.
You can make wonderful desserts, like this peach crisp, in the summer by using fruit from farmer’s markets. This simple peach crisp recipe allows you to really enjoy the flavor of the tree-ripened fruit. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 3 hours on Low Yield: 6 servings 2 pounds ripe peaches 2/3 cup old-fashioned oats 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg Pinch salt 3/4 cup (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened Peel and pit the peaches.
A beautifully roasted turkey is often the centerpiece of a holiday or celebratory meal, and turkey sandwiches are inevitable — or are they? If you're looking for different ways to serve leftover turkey, try one of these recipes for classic turkey dishes that your friends and family will, um, gobble up! Turkey and Dumplings Here's a baked variation of a hearty farmhouse favorite made quick and simple by using buttermilk baking mix, precooked turkey, and frozen or leftover vegetables.
Slow cookers are relatively easy to use. With no moving parts, they break or malfunction much less frequently than other appliances do. Nevertheless, things can go wrong, whether it's user error or operational. Here are some common problems that can occur, along with reasons and advice on how to keep the trouble from popping up again.
This chicken provençal recipe uses the slow cooker. Unlike traditional chicken provençal, a slow cooker simmers slowly, so the food stays moist, eliminating the need for basting. Serve the chicken with French bread to soak up the wonderful juices. Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 6 to 7 hours on Low Yield: 4 servings 4 medium potatoes 3 carrots 1 whole head fresh garlic 1 chicken (3 1/2 to 4 pounds) 2 medium onions 20 cherry tomatoes 20 white button mushrooms 1 cup pitted ripe olives, drained Salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon dried thyme Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
If you pull up a recipe for your slow cooker and the temperature is in metric, use this conversion chart to find the right temperature to make sure your dish is cooked correctly and thoroughly. Degrees Fahrenheit Degrees Celsius 140 60 145 65 160 70 165 75 170 80 180 85 250 120 275 135 300 150 325 160 350 175
You can make easy and delicious meals in your slow cooker, with some helpful tips, you can even convert your favorite traditional recipes to the slow cooker. Make sure you use the slow cooker temperature guide to cook dishes thoroughly and convert temperatures, if necessary.Tips for using your slow cookerYou can prepare great food in your slow cooker without a lot of fuss.
Pick up a thermometer for a quick and easy way to determine if your meal is cooked to a safe temperature. Here’s a guide for using your slow cooker and cooking to a temperature that’s safe. Food Safe Cooking Temperature in Degrees F Eggs Cook until yolk and white are firm Egg dishes 160 Ground Meat and Meat M
People just can’t seem to get enough of these tasty little sweet and sour meatballs. The sweet and sour sauce makes these slow cooker meatballs something special. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 2 to 3 hours on Low Yield: 25 servings 2 large eggs 2 pounds lean ground beef 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 onion 2 jars (12 ounces each) apple or grape jelly 2 bottles (12 ounces each) chili sauce Crack the eggs in a small bowl and lightly beat them.
Discover tips on how to use a slow cooker the right way to create flavorful, one-pot meals. With this video, slow-cooker tips on browning meat, liberal seasoning, and keeping the lid on help you create easy, slow-cooked dishes.
You can prepare great food in your slow cooker without a lot of fuss. Use these tips for preparation and to get the most from your slow cooker to make convenient and delicious meals. Brown meats and poultry first. Although doing so may add a few extra minutes in prep time, food takes on a whole different look and flavor when first browned.
Wash each component of your slow cooker when you first get it. Also wash each part of the slow cooker if you haven’t used it for an extended period. Always unplug the slow cooker before cleaning to avoid the risk of electrical shock. Use a clean, soapy cloth or sponge to wash the slow cooker’s housing. Never immerse the metal housing or the base in water.
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