Bella Dots collection - Hints for Slow Cooking; Converting Standard Recipes to Slow Cooking

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HINTS FOR SLOW COOKING
• Meatswillnotbrownduringthecookingprocess.Ifyoudesirebrowning,heatasmall
amount of oil in a skillet and brown meats prior to placing into the stoneware liner.
• Wholeherbsandspicesflavorbetterinslowcookingthancrushedorground.
• WhencookinginaSlowCooker,rememberthatliquidsdonotboilawayliketheydo
inconventional cooking. Reduce the amount of liquid in any recipe that is not designed
fora Slow Cooker. The exceptions to this rule would be rice and soups.
Remember, liquids can always be added at a later time if necessary. If a recipe results
intoo much liquid at the end of the cooking time, remove the glass lid and turn the
control dial to HIGH. After about 30-45 minutes the amount of liquid will be reduced.
• Mostrecipesthatcallforuncookedmeatandvegetablesrequireabout6-8hours
onLOW temperature.
• Highfatmeatscanresultindisheswithlessflavor.Pre-cookingorbrowningwillhelp
reduce the amount of fat and help to preserve the color. The higher the fat content,
theless liquid needed. If cooking meat with a high fat content, use thick onion slices
under it so that the meat will not sit and cook in the fat. If necessary, use a slice of bread,
aspoon, or a straining spoon to skim off excess fat from top of foods before serving.
• Foodscutintouniformpieceswillcookfasterandmoreevenlythanfoodsleftwhole
suchas roast or poultry.
• UsetheWARMsettingtokeepcookedfoodattheperfectservingtemperature.DONOT
cook foods on the WARM setting. NOTE: Do not keep foods on the WARM setting for
more than 4 hours
CONVERTING STANDARD RECIPES TO SLOW COOKING
• Vegetablessuchascarrots,potatoes,turnipsandbeetsrequirelongercookingtime
thanmany meats. Be sure to place them on the bottom of the Slow Cooker
and cover them with liquid.
• Ifaddingfreshmilkoryogurt,thisshouldbedoneduringthelast2hours.
Evaporated milk may be added at the start of cooking.
• Rice,noodlesandpastaarenotrecommendedforlongcookingperiods.
Cook them separately and then add to the Slow Cooker during the last 30 minutes.
Fig. 2