Source: iVillage
I’m in love with my slow cooker. Ever since that little 1950s gadget came into my life three years ago, we’ve been attached at the hip. I loved everything it made, especially on weekends, when I could walk around and smell the deliciousness all day but not actually be cooking.
But you know what? Turns out, I’ve been using it wrong this whole time. Well, not wrong, but in a way that doesn’t really work for my family (and maybe yours too).
See, I would do like the instructions say. I would toss all the ingredients in the slow cooker, set it and forget it. Head on to to work and come home to a delicious meal.
But the whole time I’m at work I’m wondering: Crap, did I really turn it on? What if I accidentally hit “Warm” instead of “Low”? Shoot, I hope I don’t get stuck in traffic on the way home. Did I put the lid on securely? Did I put enough liquids in there? Crap, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO EAT IF THIS DOESN’T COME OUT RIGHT?
So I made the switch that has TOTALLY changed my life.
I started cooking dinner at night. While I sleep.
This.is.genius!
I toss all the ingredients in the slow cooker around 11 p.m. I set it for 6-7 hours. When I wake up in the morning, the food is perfect! I toss it in a dish and put it in the fridge. When I get home from work, all I have to do is heat up dinner. BONUS! If I make a pot roast or a cut of meat that is not the leanest, all the fat from the meat rises to the top. All I have to do is skim it off, making it instantly healthier.
This way I’m not thinking about dinner at work, the food is ready to go in a few minutes, and it’s healthier. What could beat that?
For more shortcuts in the kitchen, check out my food blog at www.alilbutter.blogspot.com.
I LOVE the slow cooker!! Toss in veggies and a roast, head off to work, and come home to a delicious smelling house and yummy food! It’s by far one of my favorite things!! Haven’t tried cooking it at night so I’ll have to give that a try!
@Meghann – Is there anyone that DOESN’T like the slow cooker? It’s a gift from God, truly.
I LOVE LOVE MY SLOW COOKER!!! I gave my mama the baby eyes and she gave me hers hehe, it’s definetly a life saver because I’m always on the go. It’s very versatile and I’ve cooked soup chicken beef..there is so much you can do!! The possibilities are endless !!!!
OMG, the idea of cooking at night is GENIUS!!!
@Alexandra – The slow cooker is the BEST. I keep trying to tell my friends but they don’t get it. It’s soooo easy and you’re right, it’s very versatile. I love cooking at night because it makes me feel like I’m productive while I sleep – the ultimate SUPERMOM!!! LOL. But one thing that’s hard to get used to (at least it was for me the first time I did it) – since you’re cooking at night, your house will smell like delicious goodness at 3 a.m. and it’s disorienting. I kept waking up like, “Is it ready? Is it time to eat dinner?” LOL.
I need to buy a slow cooker. I never seem to be pressed to have one, but I should be. I am a wahm and a student, so I’m very busy. Most of the time I do not feel like rushing to get dinner cooked by 5:30. It’s funny that I have every small appliance you can think of from a Foreman grill to a waffle maker, but I have no slow cooker. I do love kitchen shortcuts, so a slow cooker is right up my alley.
I’m glad you made this post because I’m going to Target to buy one.
@Mrs. CJ – You should soooo get a slow cooker. It changed my life, seriously. Dinner on the weekends is so easy and if you do it right, you can slow cook a bit piece of meat and then use the shredded meat in dishes all week long. So.easy.
The good thing is, they’re affordable. Get one with a timer and a “warm” setting. (Most should have it.) I also like the slow cookers with the clear top, so I can see if there’s enough liquid in there….
Is there something in the air? Because I too just recently discovered the joys of a slow cooker!
My favorite is making yogurt in it. I’m a yogurt fanatic and making it in bulk at home saves a lot of money! (When it works properly; it took me a few tries to get it right)
@Melissa – I have never tried to make yogurt in it. I will have to try that! Thanks for the tip!
My family swears by crock pots. After my paternal grandmother passed I inherited hers. It doesn’t have all of the fancy timers and heat settings but it works all the same and I love it.
@Raven – A crock pot is a crock pot. As long as you can go low and slow, it’s worth it!
I’ve only used mine once but it was AWESOME!! I need to utilize it more.
I love my crockpot and would be in trouble without it! I’ve cooked a few things overnight, but I actually didn’t like waking up in the middle of the night and smelling the food. (strange I know. *lol*) I just bought a second pot, the side by side kind and I’m going to experiment making the main dish and sides.