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