The Benefits Crock-Pot Cooking
+
Two Delicious Recipes
by Monica Resinger
A lot of us have a very efficient and time saving appliance sitting high on a
kitchen shelf collecting dust. What is it? It's the crock- pot! I have taken
mine down from that high shelf and have actually purchased another one because I
have found them to be so helpful. How are they helpful? Read on.
There are a lot of days that it's very hard for me to get a meal on the table
either because I lack the motivation or because we are busy. Lacking motivation
stems from being tired at dinnertime; I have had an active day and by 5:00 p.m.,
I'm just plain worn out and am not in the mood to cook. Because of this, we end
up eating fast food more often than we should or we eat a meal that tastes like
there was no effort put into it.
I have found a solution to this problem and that is the crock-pot! In the
morning when I am ambitious and creative, I prepare the basis of our meals by
adding meat, liquids, seasonings or other ingredients to the crock-pot. Then at
dinnertime, all I have to do is prepare side dishes such as heat and serve rolls
and a green salad. Sometimes I even prepare the side dishes early too so that
way I have hardly anything to do at mealtime when I'm lacking energy. If you
have two crock-pots, use them both at the same time with the main dish in one
and a side dish in the other.
Another benefit of the crock-pot is that it doesn't heat up the kitchen. This
can be valuable in the summer but don't limit it to summertime cooking. It's an
any-season appliance. You'll be pleased smelling the delicious aroma of your
food cooking all day long in the fall, winter and spring. You can even cook
desserts in them such as apple dumplings.
For those of you that work away from home, the crock-pot is safe enough to leave
turned on low all day. When you get home, most of your dinner is cooked and
ready to eat!
You can buy crock-pots at any retail store for around $30.00 for the average
size and more or less for a bigger or smaller one. But why spend $30.00 when
they are abundant in thrift stores and yard sales? I purchased my second one at
a thrift store for $2.99! If you decide to purchase one at a thrift store or
yard sale, be sure to plug it in and see if it heats up.
Here is one of my favorite crock-pot meals.
Pork Ribs and Kraut
Brown desired amount of pork spareribs in a frying pan over medium heat; season
with seasoning salt and place in crock-pot. Stir sauerkraut juice into the pan
you browned the ribs in and stir with a fork to loosen brown bits. Add this
juice to the crock-pot along with desired amount of sauerkraut. Set crock-pot to
low and cook 6-8 hours.
For a side dish to this meal, I make homemade rolls using the bread machine to
make dough, or I just serve plain old bread and butter. A crusty loaf of French
bread would be good too.
Chunky Applesauce
This would make a great side dish to the meal above. Peel and cut desired amount
of apples into 1/2 - 1 inch chunks. Place the chunks in your crock-pot and add
about 1/2 cup water. Set the crock-pot to low and cook 4-6 hours or until the
apple chunks are very soft. Mash with a potato masher to desired consistency and
add sugar to taste if desired.
If you need crock-pot recipes, I have published an e-cookbook called 'The
Slowcooker E-cookbook' that has tons of scrumptious recipes for your crockpot in
easy-to-print format! For more information, click here:
http://homemakersjournal.com/slowcooker.htm
I hope this article brings you the inspiration to dust off your crock- pot!
Get Monica's FREE e-zine for homemakers that includes delicious recipes and fun
& informative home and garden articles 3 times per week! To subscribe,
just send a blank e-mail to:
HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Get FREE home and garden e-books at Monica's website, 'Homemaker's Journal
E-publications'; Click here:
http://homemakersjournal.com