HOW TO USE YOUR SLOW COOKER

With 2 kids in multiple sports getting supper on the table, no matter what time of year, can be tricky. Slow Cookers are a great way to get supper on the table, no matter what time your family needs to eat.

A slow cooker is one of the most popular kitchen appliances on the market, and for good reason. They’re inexpensive, easy to use, and they can help you create delicious meals with minimal effort!

Not only will they save you time, but a lot of money as you can skip the drive-through when things are beyond hectic in the family schedule.

HOW TO USE YOUR SLOW COOKER

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First of all, It is as simple as putting in your food, turning it on, and letting the magic happen.

To begin, use a slow cooker liner for easier clean-up.

Then get all of your ingredients washed, sliced, and diced, so you can layer them into your slow cooker. It is best to put the things like potatoes or other hard root vegetables at the bottom of the pot. The food that cooks faster should go on the top.

Once you add all your ingredients, secure your lid. While many slow cookers have locks on your top, those are usually more for transporting your food to a different location than actually being used while cooking.

Then you simply turn on the heat to the right temperature. Depending on how long you have until your meal will determine if you use low or high. Low usually takes double the amount of time to cook as high, but yields a more tender final result.

Set it and forget it. There is no need to micromanage your meal so check other important things off your list while knowing that dinner is covered.

Once it is finished, stir it thoroughly, scoop your meal out, and enjoy!

5 TIPS FOR USING YOUR SLOW COOKER

1. Don’t open the lid! This is just like opening the oven door while you are baking something. While it is tempting to see if your food is thoroughly cooked, opening the lid just adds more time to cook. Know ahead of time when your food will be done, so you don’t have to open the top.

2. Don’t underfill or overfill. When you underfill your pot, it can start to burn your food after some time. However, you also cannot overload it or else the food will not cook properly. It is best to have your slow cooker ½ to ⅔ full.

3. Meal prep ahead of time. If you are really running low on time, it is best to meal prep before making your dinner. Take a little time on your day off to cut up all your veggies, brown your meat, and put it all into a Ziploc bag. This will help you just toss the contents into your slow cooker and get cooking!

4. Add dairy last. Dairy can curdle in the heat. If your recipe calls for dairy, it is best to add it to the last hour of cooking. This will keep the taste and not curdle the dairy!

5. Take good care of your slow cooker. The pot can crack when it is exposed to opposite temperatures immediately after using it. Be sure not to place it on a cold surface right after cooking and vice versa.