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Mahalo cooking expert Judith Jones teaches you the basics of using a crockpot.
Why Choose a Slow Cooker?
They cook food at a low, steady heat for long lengths of time. - Slow cookers do all the work, so you can throw in the ingredients, leave and come home to a prepared meal.
- They can keep food warm for an extended amount of time, such as during a party or event.
When You're Cooking
Most slow cookers have two temperatures: high and low. You can adjust the cooking time for four or six hours on high heat and eight or 10 hours on low heat. - The low setting for a slow cooker is usually around 175°F (79°C), while the high setting is about 280°F (138°C).
- Sometimes it's best to brown meat before slow cooking it. This will remove the excess fat and give the meat a richer flavor.
- You can adapt many recipes for a slow cooker. However, you should usually reduce the amount of liquid by half, because it will not cook off as it would in other methods.
- Don't remove the lid while your cooker is cooking. This will release heat and extend the cooking time.
- Slow cookers should be filled between one-half to two-thirds of the way full in order to cook properly.c
- Most slow cookers are sold with a recipe book that suggests ways to use your new appliance. Some popular candidates to cook are apples, chili and pulled pork.
- Some cookers have a removable crock that makes them easier to clean.
References
Meet Our Expert
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Judith Jones
Judith Jones is the founder of "The Gourmet Travelista," a website dedicated to international travel and cuisine. A citizen of the world, Jones was born in Paraguay, grew up in the United Kingdom and now resides in Los Angeles. In addition to hosting TV shows "What Are We Eating Today" and "Kush Kitchen," Jones is a contributing food and travel writer for "Travel & Leisure" magazine and social networking site "French Tuesdays." "I am the ultimate globetrotting gourmand," says Jones, "I travel to discover the most exhilarating culinary destinations around the globe."
