Using a slow cooker is such a time saver in the kitchen. There’s nothing as satisfying as knowing your dinner is prepped, cooking and will be ready to eat when you are. But it’s possible to get even more use from this appliance. Check out these tips to really up your slow cooker game.
1. Cook more than one type of food in the slow cooker at a time.
By using foil to wrap different parts of the meal, you can cook a whole meal that retains separate flavors.
BBQ Chicken Dinner in the Slow Cooker
Try this method with steak, smoked sausage, pork chops or chicken. Add packets of potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash… Top with corn, peas, green beans, broccoli… And season each packet a little differently, if you like.
The possibilities are endless.
2. Make your slow cooker smaller.
If you’ve got a large crockpot, but need to cook a small quantity of food, place a small casserole dish inside the crock. This makes the inside much smaller, which keeps your food from overcooking.
3. Add a timer to make it programmable.
DIY Programmable Slow Cooker isn’t a perfect system. It won’t switch off to a warm setting when the cooking time is up, but it does work for things like overnight oatmeal.
4. Make it easier to clean with one of these three methods:
Line it with foil – Lynn from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures lines her slow cooker with foil to make clean up easier.
Use a plastic liner. We use these on vacation. I don’t mind cooking on vacation, but no one wants to scrub a dirty crockpot.
Spray with cooking spray before adding food. This really does help the clean up process.
5. Cook with a water bath for things like cheesecake or oatmeal.
Pouring some water around the bottom of a dish set inside the slow cooker creates a water bath. This prevents foods from drying out or getting overcooked. It works great for things like cheesecake and oatmeal.
P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for the Eat at Home Challenge! Find out more here.
P.P.S. We’re also having a Facebook Party with prizes on July 16!