Tips for Slow Cooking, Food Safety Tips

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Tips for Slow Cooking

•The crock should be at least half-filled for best results. If only half- filled, check for doneness 1 to 2 hours earlier than recipe time.

•Stirring is not necessary when slow cooking. Removing glass lid results in major heat loss and the cooking time may need to be extended. However, if cooking on High, you may want to stir occasionally.

•If cooking soups or stews, leave a 2-inch (5-cm) space between the top of the crock and the food so that the recipe can come to a simmer.

•Many recipes call for cooking all day. If your morning schedule doesn’t allow time to prepare a recipe, do it the night before. Place all ingredients in crock, cover with lid, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply place crock in slow cooker.

•Some foods are not suited for extended cooking in a slow cooker. Pasta, seafood, milk, cream, or sour cream should be added 2 hours before serving. Evaporated milk or condensed soups are perfect for slow cooking.

•The higher the fat content of meat, the less liquid is needed. If cooking meat with a high fat content, place thick onion slices underneath so meat will not sit on (and cook in) fat.

•Slow cookers allow for very little evaporation. If making your favorite soup, stew, or sauce, reduce liquid called for in original recipe. If too thick, liquid can be added later.

•If cooking a vegetable-type casserole, there will need to be liquid in the recipe to prevent scorching on the sides of crock.

•If cooking a recipe with root vegetables, place root vegetables in the bottom of the crock.

Food Safety Tips

•Do not use frozen, uncooked meat in the slow cooker. Thaw any meat or poultry before slow cooking.

•Visit www.foodsafety.gov for more information on safe internal cooking temperatures.

•To store leftovers after cooking, do NOT place the entire crock in the refrigerator since contents will take too long to cool. Instead, divide leftovers into smaller containers and place into refrigerator.

•Never allow undercooked or raw meat to sit at room temperature in the slow cooker. Once meat is placed into the crock, it should be cooked immediately (unless prepping slow cooker the night before, where crock should be placed into the refrigerator).

IF YOU LIVE IN A HIGH-ALTITUDE AREA:

The Extension service will have detailed information about cooking for your area. To locate the Cooperative Extension service in your county, please visit: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/.

33246, 33249, 33269, Stay or GoTM Slow Cooker, 33245 specifications

Hamilton Beach is known for producing high-quality kitchen appliances that enhance convenience and efficiency. The Hamilton Beach 33354, 33264, 33263, and 33245 are excellent representatives of the brand's commitment to innovation and user-friendly designs, catering to the needs of modern home cooks.

The Hamilton Beach 33354 is a versatile slow cooker with a unique feature—its programmable timer. This allows users to set cooking times and temperatures precisely, ensuring perfectly cooked meals without the constant monitoring. Its large capacity is great for family meals, and the stoneware insert is dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy.

Moving on to the Hamilton Beach 33264, this appliance stands out with its dual-function capability as a slow cooker and a food steamer. This versatility allows users to prepare a range of dishes, from stews to steamed vegetables, all in one unit. The steam technology preserves nutrients and enhances flavors, providing healthier cooking options.

The Hamilton Beach 33263 is another standout model that combines a slow cooker with a locking lid. This great feature is ideal for transport, ensuring that the contents remain secure during travel. The manual settings offer flexibility, allowing users to choose between low, high, and keep-warm settings for perfectly timed meals.

Lastly, the Hamilton Beach 33245 is designed for those who appreciate a more traditional approach to slow cooking, featuring a classic design with a straightforward interface. It is compact yet spacious enough to accommodate meals for small to medium-sized families. This model ensures that novices and experienced cooks alike can prepare sumptuous dishes with ease.

All four models come equipped with durable construction and intuitive controls, ensuring that users can create their favorite recipes without hassle. Their efficiency is complemented by energy-saving features, making them not just practical but also eco-friendly. Whether you're a busy parent or a cooking enthusiast, these Hamilton Beach slow cookers are designed to help you serve delicious meals with minimal effort. With these appliances in your kitchen arsenal, you can enjoy home-cooked meals without the associated time commitment.