Contents
Guide
Thank you for downloading this Simon & Schuster ebook.
Get a FREE ebook when you join our mailing list. Plus, get updates on new releases, deals, recommended reads, and more from Simon & Schuster. Click below to sign up and see terms and conditions. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP Already a subscriber? Provide your email again so we can register this ebook and send you more of what you like to read. You will continue to receive exclusive offers in your inbox.
We hope you enjoyed reading this Simon & Schuster ebook.
Get a FREE ebook when you join our mailing list. Plus, get updates on new releases, deals, recommended reads, and more from Simon & Schuster. Click below to sign up and see terms and conditions. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP Already a subscriber? Provide your email again so we can register this ebook and send you more of what you like to read.
Adams Media An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. 57 Littlefield Street Avon, Massachusetts 02322 www.SimonandSchuster.com Copyright 2017 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. 57 Littlefield Street Avon, Massachusetts 02322 www.SimonandSchuster.com Copyright 2017 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Adams Media Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. First Adams Media trade paperback edition OCTOBER 2017 ADAMS MEDIA and colophon are trademarks of Simon and Schuster. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or . The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.
Interior design by Colleen Cunningham Cover design by Sylvia Mcardle Cover images Stockfood.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for. ISBN 978-1-5072-0503-7 ISBN 978-1-5072-0504-4 (ebook) Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Simon & Schuster, Inc., was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters. Always follow safety and commonsense cooking protocols while using kitchen utensils, operating ovens and stoves, and handling uncooked food. If children are assisting in the preparation of any recipe, they should always be supervised by an adult. Contains material adapted from the following titles published by Adams Media, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.: The Everything Healthy Slow Cooker Cookbook by Rachel Rappaport with B.E.
Horton, MS, RD, copyright 2010, ISBN 978-1-4405-0231-6; The Everything Mediterranean Slow Cooker Cookbook by Brooke McLay and Launie Kettler, copyright 2014, ISBN 978-1-4405-6852-7; The Everything Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbook by Amy Snyder and Justin Snyder, copyright 2012, ISBN 978-1-4405-4407-1; The Everything Vegetarian Slow Cooker Cookbook by Amy Snyder and Justin Snyder, copyright 2012, ISBN 978-1-4405-2858-3; The Everything Slow Cooker Cookbook, 2nd Edition by Pamela Rice Hahn, copyright 2009, ISBN 978-1-59869-977-7; The Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook by Carrie S. Forbes, copyright 2012, ISBN 978-1-4405-3366-2; and The Everything Indian Slow Cooker Cookbook by Prerna Singh, copyright 2012, ISBN 978-1-4405-4168-1.
Contents
Introduction
Are you sick of cleaning up a mountain of dirty dishes? Looking to serve a crowd? Does the simple act of eating a home-cooked meal seem like a luxury? If this sounds familiar, its time for you to plug in your slow cooker and make a hot meal a prioritynot a chore. With a slow cooker, you can create everything from appetizers to soups and stews to flavorful entres and you dont have to worry about spending hoursor much time at allin the kitchen. Just drop in your ingredients, turn on the slow cooker, and youre out the door with a delicious dinner guaranteed to greet you when you get home. In Slow Cooker Favorites: Soups, Stews, and Chilis , youll find more than 150 warming slow cooker recipes that make dinnertime easy, inexpensive, and incredibly versatile.
These flavor-packed dishes come from a variety of cuisinesMediterranean, Italian, Asian, and Indianand we even serve up a number of American favorites like Texas Firehouse Chili, Simple Split Pea Soup, and Basic Beef Stew. Youll also find a chapter that gives you the rundown on how to use, clean, and store your slow cooker and information on how to customize your recipes once you get the hang of using this appliance. So whether youre craving Smoky Chipotle Pork Chili; Garden Vegetable Soup; Ham, Cabbage, and Carrot Stew; or just some good old Minestrone Soup; with Slow Cooker Favorites: Soups, Stews, and Chilis youll always know whats for dinner.
CHAPTER 1
Slow Cooker Basics
S o you know you want to use a slow cooker and youre excited to whip up the delicious soups, stews, and chilis found throughout the book. But, where do you start? In this chapter, youll learn everything you need to know to choose, cook with, clean, and store your slow cooker. In addition, youll find some basic techniques for using this appliance as well as some info on the methods and terminology used in the book to make cooking with your slow cooker as easy as possible.
Lets get cooking!
What Slow Cooker Equipment Should You Buy?
Maybe youve gone to buy a slow cooker and were intimidated by all the options. It can be intimidating. With so many different styles from which to choose, how do you pick the one thats right for you? There are small 1-quart versions that are perfect for hot-dip appetizers and large 8-quart models that make enough stew for a large family. There are versions with automatic timers and warming settings. Some have removable crockery inserts, while others have the crock built into the device. The first thing you need to do is take a look at how youll be using the device.
Are you routinely gone for more than nine hours during the day? If so, you might want to consider the automatic timer and warming functions because even a slow cooker can overcook some food. Do you want to make entire meals? The two-compartment model would provide more options. If you dont like to spend a lot of time washing pots and pans, consider a slow cooker with a removable crockery insert. These can be cleaned in the dishwasher, while self-contained units must be sponge cleaned. The good news is that a slow cooker remains a slow cooker. Its a relatively simple device thats hard to use incorrectly.
If you are lucky enough to plan your purchase of a slow cooker, define what you will be using it for. Do you have more than four people in your family? If so, you might want to go with a 6-quart or even 8-quart version. Someone who does a lot of entertaining or likes to freeze leftovers might want the larger version. Many of the recipes throughout this book call for either a 4- or a 6-quart slow cooker, so keep that in mind while choosing your appliance. Once you decide what type of slow cooker to buy, youll need to figure out how to use it. Read on