| Crockpot cooking is convenient and easier than ever | | | | Beans |
| before. Safeguards are in place that allow you to go | | | | Beans should be soft before adding them to your |
| about your day without worry knowing that your | | | | crockpot, so it would be best to soak them thoughly |
| crockpot is doing what it is designed to do. Cleaning up | | | | first. Beans that have been softened first cook better |
| after cooking with your crockpot is the best part, it is | | | | before adding other ingredients. |
| simple and is much easier to do. | | | | Milk and Dairy Products |
| Alot of your favorite stove top recipes can be | | | | Milk and sour cream should be placed in the crockpot |
| successfully modified for use with your crockpot. | | | | during the last hour of cooking. They will break down |
| There are some basic time and temperature guidelines | | | | over extended periods of cooking. Cream soups are |
| for converting recipes. There are some right ways and | | | | are a nice substitute for milk and are able to be |
| wrong ways to use specific ingredients. Here are a | | | | cooked for a longer time period. Reduced fat cream |
| few ways for making your crockpot meals more | | | | soups can be used as a substitute for any recipe. |
| flavorful. | | | | Cheeses won't normally hold up in a slow cooker over |
| Pasta and Rice | | | | long periods of time, so they should be included when |
| Recipes that list cooked pasta or rice to be added or | | | | your meal is almost done. Processed cheeses and |
| included, should be cooked until tender before being | | | | dairy items can also be used. |
| placed in your crockpot. Add 1-quarter extra liquid for | | | | Soups |
| every 1-quarter cup uncooked rice and best to use | | | | Water should be added to your crockpot only to |
| long grain rice for optimal results. Add already cooked | | | | cover soup ingredients. If you want a thinner soup |
| rice for longer cooking recipes, before serving. | | | | more water can be added after cooking. Add one or |
| Liquids | | | | two cups of water with milk based soups. Stir in milk |
| Liquids should be decreased when slow cooking. A | | | | or cream the last hour of cooking. |
| good rule of thumb would be to use 1/2 the called | | | | Vegetables |
| amount, that is unless the recipe asks for rice or pasta, | | | | Vegetables like potatoes and carrots should be sliced |
| 1 cup of liquid will usually suffice. | | | | no larger than one inch thick. These item take longer to |
| Spices | | | | cook, so place them at the bottom of your crockpot |
| Spices tend to evaporate over long cooking periods, | | | | first. That will allow them to cook thoughly and be |
| the best time to add them would be when cooking is | | | | tender when your meal is finished. Vegetable Crockpot |
| almost complete. Whole herbs and spices would be a | | | | Recipes are very nutrious and makes a great meal |
| good choice to use for your crockpot cooking, since | | | | just by themselves. |
| their flavor last over a longer period of time. Taste the | | | | Following these guidelines will allow you to be able to |
| seasoning before serving so you can modify as | | | | convert a stovetop recipe to a delicious Crockpot |
| necessary. | | | | Recipes with ease. |