Cooking with a Crockpot

I'm addicted to my Crockpot. It started slowly and then grew as I learned how easy it was to get dinner on the table. I could prep it in the morning, start it cooking, and then do whatever I needed or wanted to the rest of the day. At four, I'd stop by the kitchen, check in on dinner, add any side dishes or a salad and voila', have dinner on the table by six easily! If you aren't using your Crockpot, why not?

You may think you know everything you need to know about the crockpot, but for starters are slow cookers and crockpots the same thing? Not exactly. Crockpots are slow cookers, but not all slow cookers are Cockpots. The term Crockpot is the trademarked name for a specific brand of slow cooker made by Rival Small Appliances so for copyright protection, in this article when I use the term Crockpot, I'm talking about my Rival Crockpot, but other brands of slow cookers work along the same principles and most recipes for slow cookers are interchangeable.

Slow cookers come in many sizes and even shapes. I have a small Rival Crockpot for cheese sauce and fondue dips. I have medium size ones for small soups, stews and small meals, and I have a large oval Crockpot for big family dinners and roasts with the fixings!

Tending the garden, putting up the harvest, fall cleaning, busy work lives and busy families make the use of a slow cooker a wonderful idea for getting the family fed each night. Our Crockpot sits on the counter and is in almost constant use during this time of year. I make homemade tomato sauce in it, cook big batches of vegetable soup that can be frozen and brought out for use later.

With our busy lives, it may seem like spending much time in the kitchen is impossible, but slow cooking is a great answer for those busy lifestyles. While Grandma might have had time to keep an eye on a soup pot simmering on the back of the woodstove, today's busy families need something that will work on its own while they're out living and working. A Crockpot is the perfect solution. It's today's version of that woodstove back burner!

There are so many recipes online or in complete cookbooks. Everything can be prepared in a crockpot these days from appetizers, to side dishes through the main course and even desserts!

Some great crockpot websites that I've enjoyed using are listed in the resource section but with a crockpot if you know a little bit about cooking, you can create some unique recipes of your own. Remember that the slow cooking intensifies spices, so experiment with the right combination and figure out what works for you.

But the slow cooking also tenderizes cheaper cuts of meat making Crockpot cooking affordable for a family on a budget. Some of my favorite Crockpot recipes include Sweet Chicken Stew, Fall Chili for a Crowd, Stewed Chicken and noodles, and Barley Vegetable Soup. Crockpots are extremely useful for reducing food costs.

Crockpots make entertaining for a crowd or a small dinner party a snap. Start the food cooking while you decorate or get all dressed up, then serve it up on your favorite dishes and everyone will think you slaved for hours in the kitchen.

Whether you use Rival's Crockpot or another brand of slow cooker, make it a permanent fixture on your kitchen counter and try some new crockpot recipes this fall.

Resources

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2156035/three_favorite_fall_crockpot_recipes.html?cat=22

Southern Foods http://southernfood.about.com/library/crock/blcpidx.htm

http://www.crock-pot-recipes.info/