| Crock-pot cooking can offer some very tasty | | | | in the crock-pot is very safe. During the |
| meals and desserts however some basic rules | | | | cooking process, the meat's internal |
| should be followed when using a crock-pot to | | | | temperature reaches approximately 170 degrees |
| cook with. You should be careful not to over | | | | in beef and 190 degrees in poultry. Two |
| stir their food while it's cooking in a crock | | | | important things to remember however is to |
| pot. Taking the lid off during cooking | | | | always cook the meat for its complete time |
| causes vast amounts of heat to escape, | | | | recommended in the recipe recommend time. |
| therefore the food should only be stirred if | | | | Secondly, do not remove the lid on the slow |
| it is clearly stated in the recipe. | | | | cooker. There is no requirement to brown |
| | | | meat beforehand unless the you prefer the |
| Some elements can only be added at the end of | | | | look and taste of browned meat. |
| the cooking time. When using milk and sour | | | | |
| cream be sure to wait until the last fifteen | | | | When cooking in a crock-pot the best flavors |
| minutes of cooking time before adding these | | | | will come from whole herbs and spices. |
| ingredients. Unless the recipe states | | | | Crushed herbs and spices rapidly lose their |
| otherwise, seafood only needs to be included | | | | flavor during the long cooking time, but |
| during the last hour of cooking time. | | | | whole spices keep their flavor during the |
| | | | entire cooking time because they take longer |
| Pasta and rice cook requirements are quite | | | | to let go of their flavor. |
| different for crock-pot cooking. For the | | | | |
| best results with pasta, cook in boiling | | | | Crock-pots can be used to make desserts and |
| water until just tender, and then add the | | | | baked goods as well. You should be sure not |
| pasta to the main dish during the last thirty | | | | to over beat breads and cakes; and should |
| minutes of cooking time. You should also try | | | | always follow the recommended recipe |
| to use long grain converted rice for the best | | | | guidelines. Never add water to the crock-pot |
| results. If the rice does not appear cooked | | | | unless it specifically says to do so. |
| completely through, you can add another 1-1.5 | | | | Always allow cakes and breads to sit and cool |
| cups of liquid per cup of rice. Always boil | | | | for five to seven minutes before taking them |
| beans before adding them to the crock-pot for | | | | out of the pan. |
| cooking. | | | | |
| | | | Vegetables like potatoes and carrots should |
| Frozen foods can be used in crock-pot | | | | be cut no larger than 1" thick, and put in |
| cooking. When cooking frozen means you | | | | the bottom of the pot, since they require |
| should use at least one cup of warm liquid | | | | more time to cook. Crock-pot cooking can be |
| along with the meat. When preparing these | | | | delicious for both meals and desserts when |
| types of meals you should all for and | | | | some basic guidelines are followed. |
| additional four to six hours on low | | | | |
| temperature or two hours on high. | | | | Get a wealth of information about cooking at |
| | | | our comprehensive website Everything You |
| Contrary to popular belief, cooking raw meat | | | | Wanted to Know About Cooking. |