An electric slow cooker (or slow cooker or crock pot) cooks food at a low temperature for long periods of time. By searching the web, you will discover that many refer to this pot as "crock pot," a famous brand that produces slow cookers (slow cooker in English means slow cooker). The foods remain in the slow cooker for between 4 and 12 hours at a temperature ranging from 79 to 82 ° C. Learn to use a slow cooker.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Kitchen
Step 1. Remove the pot from the packaging
Wash the inner ceramic section and the upper glass portion with hot water and dish soap.
Step 2. Make room on the kitchen counter
Your slow cooker gives off heat, so safety is a priority. Make sure there is enough room on the sides of the pot, including at the top, so that the heat can escape safely during cooking.
When it's not plugged in and not in use, you can store your clean pot in the kitchen cupboard. In this case, with each use, you will have to create space on the kitchen worktop again
Step 3. Choose a pot with a "warm" function if you plan to leave it running when you are not at home
Older generation slow cookers may not be equipped with this automatic function which allows you to keep food warm after cooking.
Step 4. Read your slow cooker's instruction manual
Each manufacturer has slightly different settings and instructions for cleaning the pot.
Step 5. Find a recipe for your slow cooker
- Prefer a recipe specifically designed for slow cooking. In the bookstore or by searching online you can find multiple recipes that indicate the exact amount of ingredients, the required cooking time and the suggested heat settings. Keep in mind that to perform a proper slow cooking you will have to fill your pot to at least half its capacity. If your slow cooker is very large or very small, adjust the proportions accordingly. Most of the recipes have been designed for a medium-sized slow cooker (5 - 6 liters).
- Alternatively, choose a classic recipe and adapt it to your electric pot. To do this correctly, reduce the amount of liquid ingredients suggested by half, in this case the liquids will not be able to escape in the form of vapor. Also, cook foods that should be roasted or baked with intense heat using your slow cooker's "high" setting. Likewise, use the "low" setting for all foods that should be simmered. As for cooking times, you will need to experiment, but never cook your recipes for less than 4 - 6 hours.
Part 2 of 4: Prepare the Ingredients for Slow Cooker
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients well in advance
If you want to cook a meal on a workday, assemble the ingredients the night before. You can peel the vegetables or chop the meat, as well as make the sauce. In this way, the next morning, all you have to do is add the ingredients to the pot and set the temperature.
Step 2. Cut the vegetables into large chunks if your recipe calls for cooking them at a low temperature for more than 6 hours
If you love crunchy vegetables, cut them into smaller pieces and add them when cooked.
Step 3. Before putting the meat in the pot, brown it in a pan
Put it in a hot pot with extra virgin olive oil and brown it on all sides to seal the juices inside, the final flavor of your recipe will greatly benefit.
Do this for large roasts or diced meat. Brown it quickly, turning it continuously to seal it on all sides
Step 4. Heat the sauce before putting it in the slow cooker
This will shorten cooking times and make sure the sauce is mixed properly.
If you prepared the ingredients the night before, pre-mix the sauce and put it in the microwave for a minute before pouring it into the pot
Step 5. Choose well-fat cuts of meat
- Pork shoulder and chicken thighs are cheaper than breasts and chops. Slow and prolonged cooking allows the fat to dissolve and spread into the fibers of the meat, making it as tasty as that of the more expensive cuts.
- Choose well-marbled meat to prevent your dishes from drying out excessively.
Step 6. Reduce the amount of spices and herbs used
Prolonged cooking will intensify the aromas, do not forget this if you have decided to adapt a classic recipe to your slow cooker.
Part 3 of 4: Slow Cooking Tips
Step 1. During the holidays, use the slow cooker to keep sauces, soups and appetizers warm
Set your pot at a low temperature to maintain a stable degree of heat despite frequent openings.
Step 2. Experiment with your recipes
Start by following the recommended cooking time and then modify and perfect them to your liking.
Step 3. If cooking has finished but you are not ready to serve, set the slow cooker to "warm"
Step 4. Resist the temptation to open the pot while cooking
Opening it early, before the last 30 minutes of cooking, will disperse the heat and extend the cooking time.
Additionally, some experts claim that lifting the lid while cooking meat allows bacteria to escape. Since the pot cooks at very low temperatures, some foods, such as chicken, pork or fish, which have not yet reached the intensity of heat necessary to kill bacteria, can spread them on utensils, on the countertop and on the floor. of the kitchen
Step 5. When you're done using it, unplug it from the power outlet
Let the pot cool completely before washing it.
Part 4 of 4: Cleaning the Pot
Step 1. Remove food scraps from the bottom of the pot
If possible, remove them from the pot as soon as they are cooked and store them in an airtight container so you can wash them as soon as they cool down.
- If your pot has a removable ceramic section, pull it out to let it cool. Place it on the kitchen worktop.
- If you cannot remove the section inside your slow cooker, simply make sure it is turned off, unplugged and completely cold before washing it with water.
Step 2. Wash it with warm soapy water
Normally, slow cookers can be cleaned easily. If there are any cooked food residues on the bottom, immerse them in hot, soapy water for 5 - 10 minutes.
- If you wish, you can wash the removable ceramic section in your dishwasher.
- If you have frequent difficulties in removing food stuck to the bottom of the pot, you may be prolonging your cooking excessively.
- Do not clean your slow cooker by rubbing it with a dish sponge, otherwise you will damage the surface.
Step 3. Clean the bottom of the pot with a soft cloth moistened with warm soapy water
Then dry it completely.
Step 4. Remove water stains with vinegar
To avoid staining, dry your slow cooker carefully after cleaning it.
Step 5. Finished
Warnings
- Don't cook frozen meat in your slow cooker. They would hardly reach a temperature above 60 ° C. Meat at a temperature between 4 and 60 ° C is a carrier of harmful food-borne bacteria.
- Do not clean the lid or the removable ceramic section while they are still hot using cold water. They do not withstand wide variations in temperature.
