Guide to Slow Cooking
Always allow sufficient time for the food to cook. It is almost impossible to overcook food in the slow cooker, particularly when using the low or keep warm settings. Most of the recipes contained within this book can be cooked on any one of the temperature settings, however the cooking times will vary accordingly. Each recipe in this book will give specific instructions indicating the appropriate temperature setting as well as the suggested cooking times to use.
Adapting Cooking Times
Your favorite traditional recipes can be adapted easily by halving the amount of liquid and increasing the cooking time considerably. See the guide below for suggested cooking times and settings when adjusting your favorite recipes.
Traditional Recipe Time | Slow Cooker Recipe Time |
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60 minutes | |
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Note: These times are approximate. Times can vary depending on ingredients and quantities in recipes.
All food should be cooked with the glass lid in place. Each time the lid is lifted, both the heat and moisture in the food are lost. Cooking times should thus be extended by approximately 30 minutes.
Liquid Amounts
When food is cooking in your slow cooker, very little moisture boils away. To compensate this, it is advisable to halve the liquid content of traditional recipes. However, if after cooking, the liquid content is excessive, remove the lid and operate the slow cooker on the high setting for
Stirring Food
Little or no stirring is required when using the low or keep warm setting. when using the high setting, stirring ensures even flavor distribution.
Basic Cooking Chart / Hours Required
Heat Setting | Low | High |
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8 Hours | 4 Hours | |
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10 Hours | 5 Hours | |
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Beef Stew (5 Qt.) | 10 Hours | 5 Hours |
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Chili (5 Qt.) | 10 Hours | 5 Hours |
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Vegetable Soup (4 Qt.) | 8 Hours | 4 Hours |
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Tips for Slow Cooking
•The cover of the slow cooker does not form a tight fit on the ceramic pot but should be centered on the ceramic pot for best results. Do not remove the glass cover unnecessarily - this will result in major heat loss. Do not cook without the glass cover in place.
•Stirring is not necessary when using a slow cooker. However, if cooking on high, you may want to stir occasionally.
•Slow cooking retains most of the moisture in foods. If a recipe results in too much liquid at the end of the cooking time, remove glass cover, turn the control knob to high, and reduce the liquid by simmering. This will take
•The slow cooker should be at least
•If cooking soups or stews, leave a
•Many recipes call for cooking all day. You can also prepare the recipe the night before by placing all ingredients in the ceramic pot, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply place the ceramic pot in the slow cooker and select the temperature setting.
•Meat & Poultry require at least 7 to 8 hours on LOW. Do not use frozen meat in the slow cooker. Thaw any meat or poultry before slow cooking.
•Trim all visible fat from meat or poultry.
•Cook dried beans
•When cooking curries and casseroles, richer, more intensive flavors will develop when the first stage is prepared by traditional methods, i.e. brown the onions, meat and spices first in a
DO’s
•Handle the ceramic pot and glass lid with care.
•Use oven mitts when lifting the ceramic pot containing hot foods.
•Avoid extreme temperature changes in the ceramic pot or glass lid. For example, do not place into or under cold water while still hot.
DO NOT’s
•Use the ceramic pot if chipped or cracked.
•Operate the slow cooker without the ceramic pot in place.
•Place the hot ceramic pot onto a wet surface.
•Use frozen meats or foods in slow cooker. Always defrost them first.
•Place the glass lid in oven or microwave.
NEVER
•Use abrasive cleansers or metal scouring pads when cleaning the ceramic pot.
•Place water or other liquids into the base of the slow cooker.
•Immerse the base, cord or plug of the slow cooker into water.
•Touch hot surfaces with bare hands.
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