| Culinary delights are often associated with Haute | | | | series of ingredients placed in to a metal basket, lid |
| Cuisine or special dishes for special occasions. | | | | going on top, electric button being switched on and |
| However, the discerning stay at home cook or the | | | | away to go. It is that simple and so enjoyable. So what |
| aspiring cooking debutant may be pleasantly surprised | | | | sort of dishes can be prepared? A great tip is to use |
| by the practical, time saving and wonderful slow | | | | the cuts of meat which tend to be a little tougher, the |
| cooker. First of all let me briefly explain the slow | | | | process it self acts as softener thus resulting in more |
| cooking process and exactly what is a slow cooker. | | | | tender results. Stews, curry's, hot pots to name but a |
| A slow cooker gently cooks food over a long period | | | | few dishes certainly lend themselves to the winter |
| of time thus infusing the succulent juices of its | | | | season. Equally mouth watering is sauces such as |
| ingredients. Cooking at a low temperature, usually in a | | | | Bolognese, coq au vin to name but a few. In addition to |
| stainless steel or ceramic pot, conveys heat uniformly | | | | savoury dishes the slow cooker can be used for items |
| through its contents thus enhancing the cooking | | | | such as apple stews, fruit baskets and breakfasts as |
| process. Many Authors have designed and created | | | | well. |
| some wonderful slower cooker recipe books ranging | | | | Ultimately, the choice is a personal one and I can |
| from the exotic through to vegetarian. Moreover, the | | | | emphasise how pleasing the results have been. Since |
| thought of getting practical, tasty food prepared | | | | becoming a convert I have read many of the authors |
| efficiently and without fuss serves as a real benefit to | | | | relating to this area, such as Judith Finlayson and |
| those cooks which use this cooking process. | | | | Natalie Haughton, who through their works have |
| My own experiences have been very pertinent in this | | | | provided some exceedingly tasty and delightful food. |
| area. I can recall when living alone, pre-marriage days, | | | | The slow cooker recipe book of Catherine Atkinson |
| the whole issue of preparing food certainly caused | | | | certainly reminds me of my childhood and the food |
| much concern. Admittedly, I enjoyed eating the end | | | | preparation my mother did during the colder winter |
| result of my labours, often marvelling at my efforts, yet | | | | months. |
| scoffed at the thought of having to cook. It wasn't until | | | | The whole experience has been an enjoyable one and |
| a friend of mine introduced me to this refreshing | | | | I always welcome this very basic and effective |
| concept, a way of preparing food, which I could learn | | | | cooking process to be a style of eating which ticks |
| so easily and enjoy so immensely. | | | | many of the boxes, time saving, efficient, succulent and |
| In principle, I was able to decide one day before eating | | | | of course pleasing. |
| or very early the same day for an evening meal, a | | | | |