Crock-Pot Cooking Tips

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