Trimarni athlete Stephanie shared this beautiful picture on Facebook of my Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Quinoa Curry from my book Essential Sports Nutrition.
So far, this recipe has been the most favored recipe in the book!
In addition to a slow cooker being a very simple way to ensure that a home-cooked meal is ready when you return home from work, slow cookers bring out the flavor in food and use less electricity than an oven. From meals, soups, stews and casseroles, a slow cooker is a must-have kitchen appliance.
To ensure that you get the most out of your slow cooker, here are a few tips from a past Trimarni newsletter.
- Choose the right size - Slow cookers come in a wide range of sizes, from extra small (2-quart) to extra large (8 1/2-quart). A one- to three-quart crock pot is perfect for one to two people. If you need to feed more than three people or want leftovers, you will probably want a four- to six-quart model.
- Don't overfill - For the best results, don't overcrowd your slow cooker. Ideally, fill between one-half and two-thirds full. This will ensure that your meal is finished in the estimated time on your recipe, that the meal provides the best flavor and to avoid food-safety hazards. If your cooker doesn't accommodate your recipe, don't eliminate ingredients but invest in a larger cooker.
- Plan ahead - If you plan to use your slow cooker in the morning before you head off to work/school, be sure to cut and trim meat, chop veggies and measure the dry ingredients and sauces the night before. Do not refrigerate components in the cooker insert or add frozen ingredients to the slow cooker. Instead, refrigerate in separate containers. In the morning, add the ingredients to the cooker (per the recipe). As a general guideline, for even cooking, cut food into uniform size pieces and place firm veggies on the bottom and place meat on top. If you know you won't be home by the end of the cooking time (ex. 2 - 8 hours), make sure your slow cooker has a warming setting, once cooking is complete.
- No peeking - Every time you open the lid, heat and moisture escape. Resist the urge to remove the lid until your recipe creation reaches the low end of the recipe's suggested cooking time range. At this point, you can then open the lid to check on the temperature and tenderness and continue to check on the dish every 30-45 minutes afterward. Unless your recipe suggests otherwise, constantly lifting and stirring the ingredients in your dish may delay cook time.
- Care for your pot - As with any other kitchen appliance, proper care and cleaning is important. Before cleaning, allow your cooker slow cooker to cool off (unplugged of course). Clean glass lids and removable stoneware inserts with hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher. If hand cleaning, use sponges and cloths instead of scouring pads or abrasive cleaners (this includes vinegar). Do not wash the stoneware with cold water when it is hot and never immerse the heating base in water or in any other liquid. You may also want to invest in disposable BPA-free liners.