If you love your crockpot like I do, here is some useful information that will help you take even better advantage of it. A handy chart for converting your favorite traditional recipes to crockpot meals!
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I especially like using my crockpot this time of year because it doesn’t heat up the house like turning on the oven does! No one needs that in the heat of summer!
By using the simple reference chart below, you can make almost any of your family favorites into crockpot favorites!
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Most traditional recipes can be converted to use in your crockpot, however, there are a few simple guidelines to keep in mind when going from stovetop to crockpot:
- Reduce the amount of liquid the recipe calls for by about half. The slow cooking process will produce more liquid that won’t get boiled away.
- If the recipe does not include liquid or sauce of any kind, you should add 1/2 cup of water because moisture is needed to produce steam for the slow cooker to reach the appropriate cooking temperatures.
- Browning the meat before adding to the slow cooker will enhance the flavor of the dish.
- If the recipe calls for vegetables, be sure to cut them into consistent size pieces and layer on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- More delicate vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, peas, and summer squash should be added towards the end of the cooking time.
- Recipes for soup and stew containing milk, cheese, or other dairy products, should have these ingredients added in the last 30 to 60 minutes of cooking time.
- To avoid rice and pasta from becoming sticky, cook them on the stovetop and add in at the end of the cooking time just long enough to be heated through.
- At the end of cooking, if there seems to be too much liquid, remove the lid and turn the pot up to high, allowing some of the water to cook out.
- If you’d like to thicken or enrich the sauce, stir in cream, sour cream, shredded cheese, or a mixture of cornstarch and cold water.
- Brighten up flavors with salt and pepper, lemon juice, or vinegar, and maybe a handful of fresh chopped parsley, basil, or cilantro.
Almost any recipe that bakes in the oven or simmers on the stovetop can be converted for your crockpot. Give some of your favorites a try! Let me know how they turn out! :-)
Here are a few of mine:
Crockpot Spareribs & Mom’s Secret BBQ Sauce
Pineapple Teriyaki Crockpot Chicken
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