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crockpot tips - don't forget the slow cooker! |
by:
Rob Moore |
Many of your favorite recipes can be successfully adapted to the crockpot or slow cooker if you follow a few simple rules. You'll find a basic time/temperature guide for converting recipes, some do's also don'ts for specific ingredients also a few tips for making your slow cooker dishes more flavorful.
Liquids
Generally, liquids may be decreased in slow cooking - a general rule of thumb is about half the recommended amount. Unless the dish contains rice or pasta, one cup of liquid is usually enough.
Pasta also Rice
When recipes call for cooked pasta to be added, cook it until just slightly tender before adding to the pot. Add 1/4 extra liquid per 1/4 cup uncooked rice, also use long grain converted rice for the best results. For long-cooking recipes, add cooked rice shortly before serving.
Beans
It is usually best to soak beans overnight before cooking them in the crockpot. Before adding sugar or acidic ingredients, the beans should be softened first, either in the slow cooker or on the stove top. If your recipe includes tomatoes, salt, or other acidic ingredients, the beans should be tender before beginning.
Herbs also Spices
Ground herbs also spices tend to dissipate over long cooking times, so it's best to add them near the end of cooking. Whole herbs release flavors over time, so are a good choice for crockpot cooking. You should taste also adjust seasonings, if necessary, before serving.
Milk/Cheese
Milk, sour cream, also cream break down over long periods of cooking, also should be added during the last hour. Condensed cream soups are good substitutions for milk also can be cooked for extended times. "Healthy," or reduced fat cream soups can be used in any recipe as a substitute.
Cheeses don't generally hold up over extended periods of cooking, so should be added near the end of cooking, or use processed cheeses also spreads.
Soups
Add water only to cover ingredients in soup, also add more after cooking if necessary for a thinner soup.
For milk based soups, add one or two cups of water also during the last hour, stir in milk, evaporated milk, or cream as called for.
Vegetables
Dense vegetables like potatoes, carrots, also other root vegetables should be cut no larger than 1" thick, also placed in the bottom of the pot, since they take longer to cook
About the author:
Rob Moore cooks up quick also easy recipes from HIWAY-cafe.com, a site devoted to Recipes As Fast As Your Life!
Visit for more quick easy crockpot recipes also more!
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