Lena Cockle - The Slow Cooker Bible Cookbook: 1200 Days of Delicious and Affordable Crock Pot Recipes for Beginners

What is a Slow Cooker?

Slow cookers are inexpensive to purchase, which makes them perfect for making the most of affordable ingredients. Slow cooker manufacturers have made the device even easier to use for newcomers, than it was when it first hit the market decades ago. Even those who have never tried slow cooking before will find it simple to set up and use. You may prepare a variety of foods in a slow cooker, including stews, curries, and desserts. Perfect for hectic weeknights and family dinners, simply add your ingredients to the machine, and it will take care of the rest..

The majority of slow cooker recipes recommend cooking on low for eight hours, but there are exceptions. The amount of time you spend cooking dinner is greatly decreased because you won't be actively working on it throughout that period. Since it cooks food for long periods of time, you have more time at home to do other things, like tend to the house, work you may have brought home, focusing on homework if you are a continuing student, or quality time with your children.

A slow cooker is an electric cooking appliance that is used to cook food at a low temperature for an extended period of time. Slow and low cooking allows the meat and ingredients to tenderize, which is why it is commonly used to make beef stews, pot roasts, and other similar dishes. Slow cookers can do much more than this, of course. Delicious soups, dips, casseroles, and even bread can be made in a slow cooker.

The slow cooker first appeared in 1970 as a bean cooker. However, as it was modified, people began to use it to heat food, and keep it warm for extended periods of time. And look how far we have come: people are cooking delectable healthy meals in it. It is an ideal small kitchen appliance with a glass lid, porcelain or ceramic pot (located inside the heating unit), and a heating element. The modern slow cooker can be oval or round in shape and come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small to large. All slow cookers have two settings: LOW (which usually corresponds to a temperature of 200F) and HIGH (up to 300F). The WARM option, which is now available on the majority of slow cookers, is what allows you to keep your prepared dishes warm for an extended period of time. If you are short on time, some slow cooker models include a timer that allows you to control the cooking time. Slow cooking can also help to retain texture, as well as moisture, and flavor.

Large portions of meat, such as pig shoulder or hog leg, are frequently cooked slowly. Pork shoulder is typically cooked for 16 hours before it is ready. However, you can cook it in a slow cooker in 10 hours or less. Using a slow cooker to cook meat, imparts a very rich flavor, and tenderness to the meat. Slow cooking meat pieces are cut slightly thicker. The pieces are lightly seared and tenderize in their own juices. They are then immersed in the juices along the slow cooker's bottom. Another interesting fact about slow cooking is that some ingredients, such as carrots, onion, celery, tarragon, as well as garlic, can be left with the meat during the cooking process, which will then flavor the final dish.

The slow cooker can help you get a home cooked meal on the table without any stress. You just put the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning and let this incredible appliance slowly cook your meal all day long.

Common Features of a Slow Cooker

You need a slow cooker with temperature controls that include warm, low, and high, as well as a detachable insert, at the very least, depending on your budget. These are the primary features of the bare bones models that will get the job done. However, if you want to truly experience a set-it-and-forget-it appliance that creates the best meals possible in this cooking environment, you might want to consider the following features:

Digital controls with programmability: You may program the slow cooker's temperature, start time, cooking time, and warm-up time .

Glass lid : There is less heat loss because they are heavier and allow you to peek inside the slow cooker without taking them out. Opt for a lid with clamps and you can transport your cooked meal easily to parties and gatherings, if needed.