International Recipes

This blog is fairly new, but it is beginning to accumulate visitors.  Many of the visitors are some of our international friends.  I would love to see some international recipes using the crock pot.  Especially those recipes that are tradition based.  Hope to see some soon.

WELCOME

In this very busy society we live in, any convenience is extremely welcome. The "Crock Pot" has been around for a long time, but has transformed in more recent years to a leave at home assistant while we go to work to return home to a home cooked meal.

So you’ve got your brand new crock pot alias slow cooker and are rarin’ to go.  Maybe you're a veteran crock potter.  Hopefully you will find these tips helpful.  There’s literally a whole world of recipes out there you can try. Creating a variety of interesting crock pot meals has never been easier. However, there are some cooking tips that can save you a lot of headaches later on.  While using your slowcooker is a breeze compared to most appliances, keep in mind these tips before you dive in.

*Browning any meat on the stovetop before adding it to your slow cooker can give you a better taste, as well as cutting down on the fat.  
     
*Draining the meat and patting dry before adding it to the crockpot can help make the dish healthier.

*To ensure evenly cooked vegetables (especially dense ones like potatoes and carrots), cut them no larger than in 1-inch thick and make sure they’re placed on the bottom so they get even heat.

*If the recipe calls for any milk or dairy product, don’t add it until the last hour of cooking.  They separate over the long cooking period.

*Add any pasta/noodles to a recipe during the last hour as well.  They also don’t hold up well over long periods of time and will have a more desirable texture.

*Don’t ever lift the lid to slow cooker during the cooking process!  Every time you take it off, you lose heat equivalent to 30 minutes of cooking time.

*Don’t ever subject your crock to sudden changes in temperature, like pouring cold water inside right after it’s done cooking.  This can cause cracks in the ceramic dish.

*Herbs can be tricky sometimes.  Any whole herbs, such as cloves, work best over long periods, so adding them at the beginning of the cycle is a must.  Ground or dried herbs can lose their flavor quickly over the long haul, so these must be added close to the end of the cycle for best results.

There’s no better way to save time  and create great meals by using a slow cooker.  If you keep in mind these simple tips you’ll be assured a great dinner for you and your family!

Now if your new to crock pots and need one, click on the Amazon link below.  If you need a new one, click on the link below.  Some of these guys are even programmable.  Go take a look.