Natalie Haughton - Slow & Easy: Fast-Fix Recipes for Your Electric Slow Cooker

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For more information about Wiley products, visit our web site at www.wiley.com. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Haughton, Natalie Hartanov. Slow & easy : fast-fix recipes for your electric slow cooker / Natalie Haughton. p. cm. Includes index.

ISBN 978-0-470-22940-8 (paper : alk. paper) 1. Electric cookery, Slow. I. Title. TX827.H3887 2008 641.5884dc22 2007046846 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To my children, Alexis and Grant Haughton.

Heaps of love and good eating! acknowledgments Special thanks to my familyhusband, Fred, and children, Alexis and Grant Haughtonfor their constant support, love, encouragement, and laughter throughout this project, even when I was frazzled. They never tired of sampling just one more dish, whether it was early morning, noon, or even late night, and their honest opinions provided valuable input. Alexis, my appreciation for your computer assistance, sharing your style, smile, and inspiration as well as your enthusiasm, which always added sparkle to my day. My passion for food dates back to my growing-up years in Northern California where my mom and dad, Phyllis and Andrew Hartanov, encouraged my youthful experimentation in the kitchen (provided I cleaned up my mess). My mother was a fabulous cook who entertained often and constantly exposed us to something new, delicious, and interesting at the dining table. A big thank-you to them for the many fond memories of wonderful cooking and eating of my childhood.

Thanks to my Wiley editor, Justin Schwartz, who recognized the potential for new ideas with the electric slow cooker. Many thanks to editor, Susan Wyler, who had confidence in my cooking talents, expertise, and know-how. Also, my gratitude to Amy Golino, culinary analyst for Rival, for readily sharing slow cooker information. I hope the recipes in this volume bring delicious dining to your table. Cheers and most of all, have fun! INTRODUCTION celebrating a great way to cook A s a slow cooker fan from way back, I came to appreciate this versatile appliance early on. When my children were young, it was a lifesaver that allowed me the satisfaction of setting a tasty, nutritious, home-cooked meal in front of the family despite long hours at the office.

Slow cooking is a subject that resonates with many home cooks. And these days, whether Im preparing dinner for my husband, entertaining friends, or working on one of my cookbooks, I enjoy developing recipes that take advantage of what the slow cooker offers most: convenience and low, even heat. Slow & Easy contains a vibrant collection of recipes that incorporate popular new ingredients and seasonings and a variety of international culinary heritages, so youll never be at a loss for new ideas. They raise the soups, stews, and braises the slow cooker has always been celebrated for to a higher level. This book also takes the slow cooker interesting places it doesnt often gointo the realm of salsas, preserves, and fabulous desserts, especially cakes. There is a generous chapter filled with wonderful ideas for vegetables, beans, and whole grains, plus an entire chapter of pasta dishes and pasta sauces.

Electric slow cookers are a breeze to use, and they are cost, time, and energy efficient. For the most part, they require little or no tending. The pot is also economical, as many recipes rely on less expensive cuts of meat. Its a great tool for cooking dried beans; they dont need any presoaking. The slow cooker also does a great job with rice. For most all-purpose dishes, youll get far and away the best results with converted long-grain ricei.e., Uncle Bens.

Using ordinary white rice risks its being gummy and sticky. You can, however, make excellent risotto in the pot with Arborio rice, and it requires no stirring! Just be sure to time it closely so that it doesnt overcook. Ive also included instructions for cooking brown rice and wild rice. In keeping with contemporary taste as well as health concerns, these recipes call for unadulterated fruits and vegetables and only the simplest of processed foods, such as canned tomatoes and broth. In many instances, Ive given hints for even more time-saving ways of cooking in the pot by using the already cut-up or prewashed vegetables sold in the produce departments of most supermarkets. Of course, as with any cooking, the quality of the ingredients you use will influence the results.

I buy the best-quality produce, poultry, and meats I can and opt for organic whenever possible. When all is said and done, slow cookers are extremely versatile. While theyre ideal for long-cooking stews, chilies, soups, and many meats, they also lend themselves to some dishes that require shorter cooking times. Its amazing what you can use them for, if you keep an open mind. Ever thought of making chutney or jam in a slow cooker? How about lasagna, chocolate cake, or cheesecake? Slow & Easy explores them all. put your pot to good use Of course the pot is great for everyday food.

But it can go much further. Whatever your level of cooking, whether you entertain once a week or once in a while, the slow cooker makes it easier. The appliance frees up the oven or stove-top for other dishes, especially during holidays and multicourse dinner parties. As a novelty, you can even plan a party based on serving the entire meal from start to finish in a variety of slow cookers, so there is no last-minute work at all. Potluck fans find the appliance a huge asset for soups and big pots of chili, and theres no arguing that electric slow cookers have starred on many a buffet tableat home, at schools, and at charity events. They also offer a welcome heat-free cooking option in summer.