Diets and Nutrition
Tips for Cooking in a Slow Cooker
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Kiwilimón - 2018-10-16T09:13:19.189026Z
Slow cookers are an excellent option when it comes to cooking. The advantages of these pots are that they offer a way to cook healthier, low-fat meals and require less effort. What more could you ask for from a slow cooker? To clear up any doubts about how to get the most out of your slow cooker, here are some cooking tips, keep reading.
Cooking Tips for the Slow Cooker
1. Save time and effort
The slow cooker is very easy to use, and to save the most time, you should first choose a recipe that doesn't take long to prepare. It's better to choose recipes like stews or soups where you can throw in all the ingredients. If you think it’s necessary to cook the onion first to give it a different flavor, don’t hesitate to do so; try the recipes in different ways until you find the method you like best.
2. Make the most of your time
If you don’t have much time in the morning to prepare all the ingredients you need for your slow cooker, don’t worry, there are alternatives to make your life easier. You can prepare everything the night before in the pot, store it in the refrigerator, and take it out as soon as you wake up since it’s best for the ingredients to be at room temperature to start cooking, which can take about 20 minutes to reach a good temperature.
3. Save money
You don’t have to buy very expensive cuts of meat; slow cookers are perfect for cooking cheaper cuts. You can also use less meat because in this pot, the flavors permeate the whole dish better, and you can substitute a portion of meat for vegetables.
4. Don’t use oil
There is no need to add oil to a slow cooker; all it needs to function well is enough moisture. It’s also advisable to choose lean meat, meaning with the least amount of fat possible. This way, not only will you have a healthier dish, but it will also contain all the nutrients and, most importantly, flavor.
5. Measure your water
There is no exact amount of water you should use for your slow cooker; it’s best to use enough to cover the meat and vegetables you decide to cook, being careful not to overfill the pot, as this could lead to water leaking from the lid and the dish might not cook properly.
6. Achieve a thick consistency
If you want the water to thicken a little while the dish is cooking, it’s best to coat the meat, whether white or red, in flour or cornstarch. This will give you a better consistency; you can heat it on the stove, making sure to stir well until it thickens.
7. Be patient
Don’t worry about the time; slow cookers, as their name indicates, are designed to work on their own, so there’s no need to take so much control over the cooking times.
8. Be careful when adding ingredients
It’s preferable to choose recipes where the ingredients can be cooked from the start; some like squash don’t need much time to cook, so it’s better to avoid them. However, if it’s not possible to choose such a recipe, don’t worry, because you can still make the most of it; pasta, rice, or fresh herbs are examples of ingredients that should be added almost at the end of the cooking time.
9. Measure your cooking times
In case you don’t know very well, here are the estimated cooking times according to how long the recipe or ingredients generally take to be ready:
If it takes 15 to 30 minutes, cook for 1 or 2 hours on high or 4 to 6 hours on low.
If it takes 30 minutes to 1 hour, cook for 2 or 3 hours on high or 5 to 7 hours on low.
If it takes 1 to 2 hours, cook for 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 on low.
If it takes 2 to 4 hours, cook for 4 to 6 hours on high or 8 to 12 hours on low.
Something important to consider is that ingredients like tubers can take longer than meat and other vegetables to place them near the heat source (the bottom of the pot).
We hope that with these cooking tips you can make the most of your slow cooker and enjoy healthier and easier-to-make dishes.
Cooking Recipes
With these recipes, you can enjoy delicious dishes, and you can prepare them in your slow cooker, so what are you waiting for? Cook any recipe you choose as soon as possible.
(It’s important to click on the recipe title to see more preparation details)
Red Pozole. With this recipe, you can learn to prepare a delicious traditional pozole from Mexican culture.
Yucatecan Cochinita Pibil. Cochinita pibil is a typical dish from the Yucatan region in Mexico. In ancient times, the Mayans cooked it in an underground oven, but now it can be prepared in a conventional oven by marinating overnight. It is served with onion sauce.
Turkey Chili with Beans. Easy recipe that can be served at all types of events, family parties, or at home as a snack or complete dish.
Chicken with Quinoa and Beans. A super healthy recipe rich in protein. Quinoa is a nutrient-rich food as it contains all 8 essential amino acids for humans, so enjoy this chicken recipe with quinoa and beans.
White Pozole. Authentic and delicious Mexican recipe to prepare a good white pozole for patriotic holidays or any special occasion.
Ranch Beans. Enjoy all your meals with delicious ranch beans. Prepare this super easy recipe and be amazed.
Fried Rice. Traditional fried rice recipe with chopped vegetables and meats, it is very nutritious and delicious.
Lentils with Rice. This is a nutritious and healthy dish, easy and quick to prepare, make this delicious lentils with rice recipe as soon as possible.
If you want to see all the recipes from Kiwilimon, click here