Ashcraft Stephanie - 101 more things to do with a slow cooker

1. For healthier versions of slow cooker meals, use reduced-fat soups and reduced-fat or light sour cream and cream cheese. Ground turkey can be used in place of ground beef.

2. Ground beef or turkey should be browned and drained before adding to slow cooker.

3. Fresh milk, cream, sour cream, and cream cheese should be added during the last hour of cooking to prevent curdling. Evaporated milk does not curdle and can be substituted for fresh milk in most recipes.

4. Long-grain converted rice is recommended for rice dishes.

5.To test the cooking temperature of a slow cooker, fill it 3/4 full of water, cover, and turn on high heat for 4 hours. With an instant heat thermometer, test water immediately after lid is removed-temperature should be at least 180 degrees. If it is lower, we recommend replacing the slow cooker. If it is higher, check all recipes for doneness after 3 hours of cooking time.

6. As a general rule, lifting the lid off the slow cooker lengthens the cooking time by 15 to 30 minutes.

7. Stirring is generally not necessary until time to serve.

8. Your slow cooker should be at least 1/2 full to ensure proper cooking.

9. Recipes that contain raw poultry or beef should cook a minimum of 3 hours on high heat. Combinations of raw meat and fresh vegetables should cook at least 4 hours on high heat.

10. To make cleanup easier, spray the inside of the slow cooker stoneware with nonstick cooking spray before adding ingredients.

11. At cleanup, cool the stoneware liner somewhat before adding water; this will prevent cracking.

12. Adapting favorite oven recipes to a slow cooker:

Pour milk into 4-1/2 to 6-quart slow cooker and turn on high heat. Mix together sugar, cocoa, salt, and hot water in a heavy saucepan. Boil 3 minutes, stirring often. Pour into milk and stir. Cover and cook on high heat 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Stir before serving. Makes 12 servings.

Serve with marshmallows and a candy cane.

Pour apple cider into 4-1/2 to 6-quart slow cooker, then add cinnamon sticks. Cover and cook on high heat 3 hours. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Keep on high heat 1 more hour. Turn on low heat to keep warm. Remove cinnamon sticks before serving. Makes 16 servings.

Variation: Substitute strawberry, raspberry, or peach gelatin in place of the strawberry banana.

* Apple juice can be substituted.

Pour punch into 3-1/2 to 5-quart slow cooker. Add pineapple juice from can and set pineapple slices aside. Place nutmeg and cinnamon sticks in juice. Cover and cook on low heat 3 to 4 hours. Before serving, float pineapple slices on top of punch. Makes 9 servings.

Pour apple and orange juices into 4-1/2 to 6-quart slow cooker. Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat 3 to 4 hours. Turn on low heat to keep warm. Remove cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and cloves before serving. Makes 16 servings.

Combine peach nectar and orange juice in 2-1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker. Tie cinnamon stick and cloves in a cheesecloth bag and add to punch. Cover and cook on low heat 4 hours or high heat 2 hours. Stir in brown sugar and lime juice. Allow sugar to dissolve. Turn on low heat to keep punch warm. Remove cheesecloth before serving. Makes 9 servings.