The slow cooker is an increasingly popular kitchen appliance…
Slow cooking is a gentler method of cooking which helps retain flavour and nutrients. Also, delicate foods such as fish, fruit and veg won’t break up as much during cooking. A slow cooker will turn the cheapest cut of meat into a tender treat.
Energy efficency is enhanced as the slow cooker cooks at a very low wattage (as low as 40 Watts) and the long cooking process will tenderise even the cheapest cuts of meat.
A slow cooker consists of a heating element (usually with variable heat settings) and a heavy ceramic pot sometimes referred to as a crockpot. They are available in sizes suitable for singles, couples or families.
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They are ideal for cooking spicy curries, hearty casseroles, stews or soups but that’s not all you can do… Some families use a slow cooker to cook delicious, creamy porridge overnight. That way, a hearty, filling breakfast is ready to set you up for the day when you awake. What may surprise you is that you can also do puddings, risotto, paella and much, much more.
Prepare and chop your ingredients the night before, switch on when you leave for work and a delicious hot meal will be waiting for you when you return home. Make sure any frozen ingredients are thoroughly defrosted before starting to cook. Trim any excess fat from meat as the low cooking temperature will not ‘evaporate’ fat in the same way as conventional cooking. If adding stock, it is best to boil it on the stove before adding to your dish in order to reduce cooking time. If adding water, boil it in the kettle before adding.
The low-temperature cooking process will not burn your food even though you are not stirring it. Just chop and add some salad for a nutritious, healthy meal.
Slow cooker recipes are available free on the web or in many available slow cooker recipe books.
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