The Art of Cuisine

Do you need to save time and money?

One of the best ways to save time, money, energy cost and have a healthy meal is using a Slow Cooker. People all the time say they don't have time to cook and eat healthy. Well, here is a healthy tip that works great. I use my slowcooker all year long.

Cooking with a Slow Cooker

There are many slow cooker recipes available, but when you will have some food for which you do not have a slow cooker recipe, you can still cook it in the slow cooker by using some basic slow cooking guidelines and cooking times for slow cooking.

You can also use traditional recipes and adapt them to be used as slow cooker recipes. The cooking times will vary according to the type of food, amount of food being cooked, the size of pieces, and the type of other ingredients cooked with the food. The information below contains tips and advice on how to adapt traditional recipes and cooking times, along with other slow cooking tips.

Basic Slow Cooking Information:

Many different types of food and recipes can be cooked in a slow cooker. There are some cooking basics that should be followed for successful slow cooking. The basic information below should be followed most often when slow cooking but always follow special instructions included in the slow cooking recipe.

• Most slow cookers should be preheated before placing the ingredients in it but check the user's manual first because some models heat up quickly and do not require preheating. To preheat, place the empty crock in the heating unit and place the cover on the crock. Turn the unit on high and preheat for the suggested time in the user's manual. If you do not have a manual, preheat for 15 to 20 minutes.
  
• Fill the crock at least half but no more than two-thirds full for the most efficient cooking.
  
• Do not lift the lid during the cooking time unless it is specifically stated to do so in the recipe. Each time the lid is lifted, heat escapes from the slow cooker and 20 minutes will need to be added to the cooking time to make up for the heat loss. If the recipe instructs to stir the ingredients any time during the cooking period, stir and replace the cover as quickly as possible.
  
• If timing does not allow the recipe to be cooked on low for as long as required, the slow cooker can be turned up to high and the cooking time reduced. Convert cooking time by using a ratio of 2 hours of cooking on low as being equal to 1 hour of cooking on high. Note: it is best to cook the less tender cuts of meat on low for a long period of time to produce a more tender cut when it is done.
  
• Seasonings have a tendency to loose their strength during the long cooking process so it is best to taste test the food at the end of the cooking time and add more if necessary. Or, the seasoning can be added towards the end of the cooking time instead.
  
• If possible, turn the slow cooker on high to start the cooking process and then switch to low after an hour. This will reduce the amount of time required to cook the food thoroughly. Some models can be set to automatically make this switch.
• When checking for doneness, the best manner in which to ensure that the food has been cooked properly is to check it with a thermometer. To be considered thoroughly cooked, the food should reach 160°F.
  
• Most slow cooker recipes will give a range of cooking time because each slow cooker may cook slower or faster than another. It will just take using yours and getting use to how it cooks to figure out where your cooker will fall in the range of cooking time.
  
• Before using your slow cooker for the first time, read the user's manual for special instructions. Each model may have slightly different instructions.

Cooking TimesThe chart below provides some basic cooking times for some general types of food that can be cooked in a slow cooker. Because different models of slow cookers cook at slightly different temperatures, the cooking times below are given in a range. If a slow cooker cooks at a slightly higher temperature, it will require a cooking time on the lower end of the range and if it cooks at a slightly lower temperature, it will require a cooking time on the higher end of the range. Start checking for doneness at the low end of the time range when you are first using the slow cooker. After using the slow cooker a few times, you will be able to determine where in the cooking range you should be.

• Slow Cooking TipsDo not use the slow cooker for reheating leftovers. Heat the leftovers to a safe temperature in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven and then transfer to a slow cooker to keep it warm.
  
• Cooking for 1 hour on high is equal to 2 hours on low when slow cooking.
  
• When cooking at high altitudes, be sure to increase cooking times. Increase approximately an additional 30 minutes per 1 hour of suggested cooking time.
  
• Slow cooking tough cuts of meat on low will provide the most tender results.
  
• Do not lift the lid while the slow cooker is cooking unless instructed by the recipe. Every time the lid is lifted the cooking time should be increased by 20 minutes. Twisting the lid around, while leaving it on the crock will make the condensation fall off making it easier to see through the cover.
• If not using a slow cooker liner, butter, grease, or use cooking oil spray on the inside of the crock for easier cleanup.
  
• To reduce the amount of fat in a meat dish, remove any excess fat and remove the skin from poultry.
  
• To prevent fish and seafood from becoming tough, add them to the dish during the hour of slow cooking time.
  
• Do not cook frozen meat in the slow cooker because it will take too long for its internal temperature to reach 140°F. The meat could be in the danger zone between 40°F and 140°F for too long and this would allow bacteria more of a chance to grow, possibly causing the meat to be unsafe to eat.
  
• Placing aluminum foil over the content of the slow cooker or placing it over the top of the crock with the cover placed on top of the foil will speed up the cooking process. Heat that would normally be lost through the cover is reflected back to the food being cooked.

I will try to have several slow cooking recipes in my newsletter this month.Make sure you are signed up

Happy Cooking,

Chef Linda