Crock Pot Magic

From Sharron: “Okay. I recently bought a “slow cooker.” My attempts have not impressed my husband. Any suggestions or recipes?”

Not to worry, Sharron. Slow cooking is a process that works very well for certain foods that need the tenderization obtained from a prolonged cooking period. In most cases slow cooking also involves low heat. Foods like stewing meat, chicken pieces with bones, whole potatoes, beans, and meats that are served shredded like corned beef or pork are enhanced by slow cooking. Foods that are already tender like fish, lean red meat and chicken cutlets will probable not do as well.

The best foods that benefit by slow cooking are soups, stews and sauces. You can adapt most of your favorite recipes to a slow cooker with just a few tips:

1. Make sure to use ingredients that can stand up to a long process like the ones listed above.
2. Brown meats, roasts and chicken pieces in a skillet before placing them into your slow cooker to seal in the juices.
3. Add less liquid than you would in ordinary recipes. The slow cooker is designed not to allow liquid to boil and evaporate.
4. Use dried herbs in place of fresh, sturdy veggies in place of fragile ones.

• Italian Chicken Stew
• Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Tacos
• Mexican Beans
• Budget Beef Stroganoff
• Slow Cooked Stuffed Cabbage

More feasting challenges:
• Grilling summer vegetables
• Exciting lunch boxes
• Quick meals to impress the in-laws
• Simple and elegant appetizers