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Using Standard Recipes in a Crockpot

03.31.2009 · Posted in Home and Garden Articles

Have you ever been hungry for something special… maybe a roast or a ham, for example… and then figured out you just did not have time to cook it? Unless they have a specific recipe for the crockpot, most people never even think to use it. In reality, many recipes for the oven or kettle can be adapted to the crockpot with delicious results.nnIn general, the low setting on a crockpot is approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The high setting is usually around 300 degrees Fahrenheit. One hour of cooking on high is about equal to 2 or 2.5 hours of cooking on low. Most recipes you find for crockpots recommend cooking your food for 8 to 10 hours on low. nnAdvice for Converting RecipesnnIf you are thinking of trying your favorite recipe in your crockpot for the first time, there is a little advice you may want to follow for the best results. When changing any recipe for the crockpot, you will want to reduce your liquid. The crockpot does not let liquid evaporate like the oven, so you will want to reduce the amount you initially put in by about half. You will be surprised how much liquid is there when your dish is done.nnAdjust your spices. Ground spices tend to lose flavor with many hours of cooking, so wait to add them until the last hour before serving. Whole spices, on the other hand, tend to become intensified in the crockpot. Unless you want to be overwhelmed with the flavor of that spice, you may want to cut it back by half.nnIf you are planning to make a chicken soup recipe, or any other soup for that matter, add just enough liquid to cover the rest of the ingredients. You can always add more liquid later in the cooking process for a thinner soup. For cream soups, hold off on the dairy products until close to the end of your cooking time to keep them from curdling.nnDried beans work well in the crockpot, too. Instead of soaking them, try cooking them on low overnight in the crockpot. To do so, just add your beans into the *** and cover them with water. Do not forget to add a teaspoon of baking soda. When you wake up, drain the water off, and combine your beans with whatever ingredients you need for your recipe. Chili, bean soup or tortilla soup are only a few ideas of the tasty meals you can make with dried beans. nnSome foods are too delicate for cooking over long periods of time. Seafood, rice, pasta, some vegetables, and dairy products are just a few. Do not add any of these ingredients until a couple of hours before serving if you are cooking on low or one hour before serving if you are cooking on high. If you really must use milk earlier in the cooking period, consider using evaporated milk.nnIf you wish, you may brown your meat before adding it to the crockpot. Browning gives your meat an attractive appearance and it helps reduce the fat content of the meat. Taste-wise, browning is optional. Roasts turn out deliciously in the crockpot whether you brown them first or not.

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