1001 BEST
CROCKPOTRECIPES OF ALL TIMEEMMA KATIE Copyright 2015 Emma Katie All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy.
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If you would like to use material from the book (other than just simply for reviewing the book), prior permission must be obtained by contacting the author at emma.katie@outlook.com Table of ContentsIntroduction Although decades ago cooking was a necessity, nowadays food is available everywhere, from huge supermarkets that display a wide range of products, to small restaurants and pubs found at every corner of the street. And in these conditions, cooking is being looked at like something that takes too much time and sometimes may not worth it. But why does this happen?! When have we lost the pleasure of cooking?! It does make me worry sometimes because theres plenty of people out there who prefer to buy any super processed food than take some time and cook for them and their families every day. And that is such a shame because on the long run, home cooking is healthier, cheaper and it has the ability to create emotions and memories. I still remember what food my grandmother used to spoil me with or what my mother used to make me when I was ill. Food brings people together around the table to share the same meal, talk about their day and connect with each other and for that reason I believe home cooking should be an important part of our lives! Nothing compares to a freshly made stew or a rich soup or even a properly made dessert, thats for sure! And that is when slow cooking steps in, helping you to balance the lack of time with the desire of providing your family with a healthy, tasty, delicious meal that is made with love.
And although it has a fancy name, a slow cooker is not just another kitchen gadget that you will buy and store in your cupboards without using, trust me! It will become an important part of your life, helping you cook a wide range of dishes, from simple soups to hearty stews, delicious appetizers and amazing desserts or tasty beverages. So keep reading and learn why a slow cooker is important in a household, how to choose the best one, how to use it and read 1001 amazing recipes designed to fit everyones tastes!
Everything You Need to Know About Slow Cookers
A slow cooker is an electric machine consisting of a ceramic pot, either round or oval, covered with a lid, usually made of glass so you can see through. The machine is designed in such way that it can be left working while you are out. A small electric current evenly heats the ceramic pot so the food inside gets cooked. Although some people worry that the electricity in the pot may cause harm to their houses, do know that the electrical unit has such a low power that it is safe to leave it on while out. In fact, a lamp may have a higher power than a crock pot, that low and safe it is! The slow cooker, also known as a crock pot, was invented in the 1936 when Irving Naxon submitted an application for a food heating equipment.
One year later he received the patent and named his device the Naxon Beanery. The idea of the pot came to Naxon after talking to his mother; she told him about a technique of re-heating the food that took hours and hours so he thought it might be a good idea to come up with a device that does it by itself, a device that would help his mom re-heat his favorite dish and many other people to do the same thing. In the 1970s, Rival bought the patent from Naxon and re-named it the crock pot. Interesting enough, the advertisement of the first crockpot said: cooks all day while the cook is away enough said! Although safe, there are a few rules that need to be followed when using a slow cooker: - Dont fill the container of the pot over the 2/3 full mark. - During cooking, keep the lid sealed and in straight position, making sure the steam remain trapped inside and cook the food accordingly. - When testing the crock pot, fill it 2/3 with water and cook for 8 hours then measure the temperature a temperature higher than 185F means the heating element is as brand new, but a lower temperature may indicate a fault. - Dont spill liquids outside the ceramic insert. - Dont spill liquids outside the ceramic insert.
If it does happen, clean carefully with a cloth and allow to dry before turning the pot on, making sure the electrical unit hasnt been damaged. - Dont use the slow cooker to re-heat the food re-heating food changes its properties and may allow bacteria to form, especially with the low temperature that a slow cooker has. - Avoid cleaning the pot with abrasive solutions or chemicals. - Soak food the night before if needed beans and grains cook easier and quicker if they have been soaked in water the night before. - Clean the pot right after cooking, otherwise food will start to dry out and bacteria may form. - If you want to thicken the food, you have to roll the ingredients through flour or cornstarch before slow cooking them.
The Benefits of a Crock Pot
Economical the slow and long cooking time allows you to use cheaper cuts of meat or you can even add less meat and more veggies for a healthier dish.
You dont need as much fat cooking in a slow cooker doesnt require any additional fat because the food, if it has enough moisture, wont stick to the bottom of the pot.
You dont need as much fat cooking in a slow cooker doesnt require any additional fat because the food, if it has enough moisture, wont stick to the bottom of the pot.
As for taste, fattier doesnt mean better in most cases the slow cooking time allows flavors to develop so fat is not needed to enhance the taste The food is tastier the slow cooking time allows flavors to develop properly without turning mushy or fall apart. You can leave it unsupervised you can turn the pot on just before going on then come back home to a bowl of hot soup or warm stew without worrying about safety or taste. You can leave it on while you sleep. How amazing would it be to wake up to a bowl of warm, rich oatmeal or any other breakfast dish?! You dont need special cooking skills all you need to do when it comes to slow cooking, is to chop a few ingredients and throw them in the pot then allow it to do its magic for a few hours. You are in total control of what youre cooking, when, with what ingredients and for how long the versatility of slow cooking comes in handy every single day! It saves you time and effort for once, cooking can stop being a chore and become a pleasure because its done incredibly easy with a slow cooker.
What to Cook in a Crock Pot
Crock pots can be used for a wide range of recipes, as proven in this book.
Hot soups, rich stews, delicious appetizers and amazing desserts are just a few of the dishes that make the crock pot such an amazing and versatile kitchen gadget. By definition, slow cookers allow you to use any ingredient, but the most common one seems to be meat, being known the fact that meat usually has a more complex cooking process and sometimes can be tough and packed with fibers instead of juicy and tender. The crock pot takes care of that aspect and cooks the meat in such way that it becomes melt-in-your-mouth. While most recipes call for simply throwing the meat in the pot, some ask you to first fry the meat on all sides this is done to add flavor to the dish and its not compulsory, but recommended. When cooking meat, you need to remember to add some sort of moisture to the pot in order to keep the piece of meat juicy and tender. Cooking vegetables is easier than cooking meat, although it does take more prepping time.
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