HINTS AND TIPS
PASTA AND RICE
•For best rice results, use long grain converted rice or a specialty rice as the recipe suggests. If the rice is not cooked completely after the suggested time, add an extra 1 to 1½ cups of liquid per cup of cooked rice and continue cooking for 20 to 30 minutes.
•For best pasta results, first partially cook the pasta in a pot of boiling water until just tender. Add the pasta to the cooker & server during the last 30 minutes of cook time.
BEANS
•Beans must be softened completely before combining with sugar and/or acidic foods. Sugar and acid have a hardening effect on beans and will prevent softening.
•Dried beans, especially red kidney beans, should be boiled before adding to a recipe.
•Fully cooked canned beans may be used as a substitute for dried beans.
VEGETABLES
•Many vegetables benefit from slow cooking and low temperatures are able to develop their full flavor, specifically those with roots. They tend not to overcook in your cooker & server as they might in your oven or on your stovetop.
•When cooking recipes with rooted vegetables and meat, place vegetables in cooker & server before meat. Rooted vegetables usually cook slower than meat in the cooker & server.
•Place rooted vegetables near the sides or bottom of the cooker & server to facilitate cooking. Stir in chopped or sliced vegetables with other ingredients.
HINTS AND TIPS (CONT.)
HERBS AND SPICES
•Fresh herbs add flavor and color, but should be added at the end of the cooking cycle as the flavor will dissipate over long cook times.
•Ground and/or dried herbs and spices work well in slow cooking and may be added at the beginning.
•The flavor power of all herbs and spices can vary greatly depending on their particular strength and shelf life. Use herbs sparingly, taste at end of cook cycle and adjust seasonings just before serving.
MILK
•Milk, cream, and sour cream break down during extended cooking. When possible, add during the last 15 to 30 minutes of cooking.
•Condensed soups may be substituted for milk and can cook for extended times.
SOUPS
•Some soup recipes call for large amounts of water. Add other soup ingredients to the cooker & server first then add water only to cover. If thinner soup is desired, add more liquid at serving time.
MEATS
•Trim fat, rinse well, and pat meat dry with paper towels.
•Browning meat in a separate skillet or broiler allows fat to be drained off before slow cooking and also adds greater depth of flavor.
•Meat should be positioned so that it rests in the stoneware without touching the lid.
•For smaller or larger cuts of meat, alter the amount of vegetables or potatoes so that the stoneware is always ½ to ¾ full.
