Sunday, November 14, 2010

Tips For Apprentice Cooks In Using Crock Pots

By Darren Bryant

Have you ever used a slow cooker or a crock pot? They're great for new cooks or people with limited time that still enjoy a great-tasting meal. They are simple to use and inexpensive. You can find many varieties at your local retailer.

People love to use slow cookers because they are so efficient and safe. The pot cooks your while you do other things. It cooks for the majority of the time on very low temperatures so you can feel free to nap or even leave your house while it's on. There's no worry that it will catch fire.

Simply put the slow cooker cooks low and slow so you don't have to worry about your food burning. Slow cookers are suitable for all food types; however, it's best for stews, soups, oatmeal, rice and similar foods.

Most slow cookers recommend that you cook the food on high for the first hour or so. Then it's a good idea to turn the knob to low for the rest of the cooking time. Note that every dish is different and cooking times will vary. Be sure to read the instructions and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Most of the time meat will take about 8 hours to cook. Slow cookers are great because they take cheaper cuts of meat and tenderize them through the slow cooking process. They turn out flavorful and delicious.

Be sure to prepare the meat properly. Remove the most of the fatty and connective tissue before cooking it. Brown the meat before cooking it in the slow cooker to add flavor.

When you're using your slow cooker, your final steps should be to add the spices or fresh herbs so they don't lose flavor. Also, take care when cooking seafood in a slow cooker since it can easily overcook and taste rubbery.

When putting the food into the crock pot, be sure to fill it only 2/3s of the way full. This will allow the steam to cook the food. Don't lift the lid to often or it will extend the cooking time.

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