Recipes and Reads: Culinary Labs

Basic Cooking and Handling: Introduction to Slow Cookers

Does the thought of cooking a meal scare you? Don’t have the time? Don’t worry! Cooking meals in a slow cooker is an easy way to feed your family a full, nutritious meal.

What is a slow cooker? A slow cooker is an electrical appliance that is an energy-efficient piece of pottery with a lid used for cooking food at a low temperature for an extended period of time. Slow cookers usually have 2 temperatures, low and high. After cooking, the warm setting holds in the heat to keep the food hot.

What’s so special about a slow cooker?

• The long cooking time can help tenderize less expensive cuts of meat.
• Meals cooked in a slow cooker are less likely to burn.
• Slow cookers don’t heat up the kitchen.
• Slow cookers keep food warm.
• Most slow cookers can be programmed to stop cooking.

Slow Cooker Tips:

• Don’t Peek! You’ll need to add cooking time every time you take off the lid.
• Food items similar in size to each other will cook at the same time, so it’s a good idea to cut ingredients to around the same size.
• Slow cookers work best when they are at least one-half to two-thirds full.
• Slow cookers are an electrical appliance, so be sure to follow the same safety rules as with any electrical appliance.

Recipe:

Slow Cooker Italian Meatloaf

Enjoy this hearty and moist meatloaf made in the slow cooker.

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, cut into rings
• 2 pounds 94% lean ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tbs Italian herb mix
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp ground fennel seed
• 1 tsp crushed rosemary
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, diced
• 3 ounces tomato paste
• 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce

Tools:

• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Whisk
• Cutting board and knife
• 6- quart oval slow cooker
• Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Spray a 6-quart oval slow cooker with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with the onion rings.


2. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, Italian herb mix, oregano, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, rosemary, pepper, salt, diced onion, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes until well combined. Mold into a loaf shape and place on top of the sliced onions.


3. In a small bowl, whisk the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Brush it over the top and sides of the meatloaf.


4. Cook for 4-6 hours on low or until the meat is thoroughly cooked. Remove the meatloaf from the slow cooker and slice. Discard the onion rings and any juices on the bottom of the pan.

Information and recipe from The Everything Healthy Slow Cooker Cookbook by Rachel Rappaport.

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