Tips to Make Cooking in Your Crock Pot Even Easier
When purchasing a crock pot, keep in mind some of the following things to help you choose the best one for you.
Size
Keep in mind the number of people you'll be cooking for with your crock pot as well as the types of foods you'll be cooking. If you have a big family you'll want to go with a bigger sized crock pot than if you were cooking for only one or two people.
Traveling
If you plan to use your crock pot for many pot lucks, family get-togethers, etc. and need to transport your foods from home to another location, be sure to look for a crock pot that has a locking lid. Some models have handles that close over the lid to avoid spilling during transport.
You'll also want to find one that has a lining that keeps your hands from being burned during travel.
Once you've bought the perfect crock pot for your needs, use these cooking tips to make your cooking experience more enjoyable and easier.
Liners
There are liners that you can put inside of the crock pot to make for easier clean up. It is more convenient to have these then it would be to have to scrub stuck on food.
Meat Pre-Prep
You don't necessarily have to brown any meats prior to placing them in the crock pot, except for hamburger meat. The reason you may want to brown your ground beef beforehand is so that you can drain off the excess grease that comes from cooking. It is also recommended that you rinse meat when you are finished browning it.
Before cooking chicken in a crock pot, always be sure to rinse in cold water. You may also want to remove the skin from the chicken, unless you want to use it for flavor. In that case, be sure to take it out of the crock pot once the stock has finished cooking.
Placement of Ingredients
Be careful how you place your ingredients in the crock pot. Vegetables cook slower than meat, so you may choose to add them to your crock pot before any meats. Now, if the meat (like a roast) is frozen, you can put it on the bottom and, of course, that will require some extra cooking time.
Keep it Closed
Steam is the main source of heat when cooking in a crock pot. Because of this you shouldn't lift the lid unless necessary to add ingredients. By removing the lid and allowing the steam to escape you add approximately 20 minutes to the cook time of foods inside. In order to view the contents of your crock pot while cooking, most come with a clear glass lid. For an oval lid, simply tap the top of the to remove the steam from the under side and see the dinner. For crock pots with a circular top, twisting the lid will allow the water that has condensed inside to fall off the lid.
Crock pots make our lives easier and by using the tips above while cooking in them, the food we prepare will be even more scrumptious for all who get the pleasure of eating it.
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