Crock Pot Recipes
Rita's Favorite Crock Pot Hits
Slow cookers have been around in one form or another for decades. But it was the ’70s when the brand name “Crock Pot” was introduced. Take a little convenience, add some great recipes and a generation of home cooks stretched for time – and you’ve got a trend.
Crock pots are wonderful for more than just their convenience though. A slow cooker is a great tool to make delicious recipes that are incredibly convenient. Crock Pots can be used to make anything from delicate entrees to “homey” mac-n-cheese to fruit roll ups for the kids.
Crock pot cooking recipes use different ingredients, but for the most part, the process is the same. And that is the beauty of a crock pot. Add all of the ingredients, set the timer and walk away.
With our hectic lifestyles, a crock pot can give you the slow cooked taste
of a day slaving in the kitchen a day.
Rita's Favorite Crock Pot Recipes
Carmelized Onions Crock Pot Style
Barbequed Ribs Done in a Crock Pot
What is a Crock Pot?
Crock pots are pretty basic in design but incredibly efficient in function. Generally crock pots work at a relatively low temperature and cook for a long period of time. The most common idea is to set it in the morning utilizing a built in timer to cook you meal over a number of hours. Put the crock pot recipe ingredients in the morning, set the timer and then your dinner will be ready when supper time comes.
In addition to low heat, Crock pots have a couple of other keys to success. The first is that the crock pot has an interior cooking vessel surrounded by a housing. This housing keeps the food from directly touching the heating element – this means that the crock pot provides constant heat spread out around the food. Make sure you follow your crock pot directions when cooking your favorite recipe.
Crock Pot Safety
It's important to follow the crock pot manufacturer's requirements for the minimum amount of liquid in the dish. That way, the food won't dry out causing the risk of burning. As with any kitchen appliance, crock pots do require attention for a couple of reasons, both come from their near boiling temperature. First, make sure the crock pot is pushed back from the edge of counters and that cords are tucked away. This will minimize the risk of spilling – especially if there are curious little ones in the house. Also, even though modern crock pots include safety switches keeping them from over-heating, it make sense to keep an eye on all kitchen appliances.
The best crock pot recipes are the ones that have been shared.
©2006-2010 Rita Heikenfeld and AboutEating.com
