The rise of the slow cooker for the modern home cook comes from a profoundly obvious place. Cooking takes time! People are busy. Maybe you have a family, but even if you don't do you have hours to spend fussing over an intricate dinner that needs dedicated attention? A slow cooker, also known as a Crock-pot much in the way cotton swabs are known as Q-Tips, simplifies the process.
With a slow cooker, you can place ingredients in the pot and let them simmer, slowly naturally, for hours. It doesn't take your attention. You can let it be, and when the cook time has ended, you'll have a thoroughly cooked meal. It's also effective at getting the most out of less expensive cuts of meat. You want a stew? Put a simple cut of meat into the slow cooker. Lots of meal options exist. Here are some of the most popular slow cooker meals.
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French dip sandwich
French dip sandwiches are all about the au jus. That's French for "the juice," which may not sound appetizing when it comes to a sandwich. You would be wrong in this instance, though. Au jus is basically beef broth that comes from the roast beef cooked for the sandwich. A slow cooker is a beef broth producing machine. You are going to want to taste that flavor. Get the tutorial here.
French dip sandwiches are all about the au jus. That's French for "the juice," which may not sound appetizing when it comes to a sandwich. You would be wrong in this instance, though. Au jus is basically beef broth that comes from the roast beef cooked for the sandwich. A slow cooker is a beef broth producing machine. You are going to want to taste that flavor. Get the tutorial here.
Buffalo honey meatballs
Meatballs can be simple, even bland. That's not an accusation that will ever be thrown at these buffalo honey meatballs. The honey and a bit of apple sauce provide some sweet flavor, but what's sweet without spicy? That's where the kick of sriracha comes in. Yeah yeah, sriracha is old news. Stop chasing trends and start eating delicious food. Get the tutorial here.
Meatballs can be simple, even bland. That's not an accusation that will ever be thrown at these buffalo honey meatballs. The honey and a bit of apple sauce provide some sweet flavor, but what's sweet without spicy? That's where the kick of sriracha comes in. Yeah yeah, sriracha is old news. Stop chasing trends and start eating delicious food. Get the tutorial here.
Lasagna
Lasagna is about as basic as Italian pasta can get. Now, imagine making it quickly in one pot. You might think that a layered baked pasta dish may not work in a slow cooker, but it does. Plus, this is a hearty Italian meal you can make with just 15 minutes of prep time. Get the recipe here.
Lasagna is about as basic as Italian pasta can get. Now, imagine making it quickly in one pot. You might think that a layered baked pasta dish may not work in a slow cooker, but it does. Plus, this is a hearty Italian meal you can make with just 15 minutes of prep time. Get the recipe here.
Bacon-wrapped onion meatballs
How can you not be intrigued by this dish after looking at the photo below? Bacon isn't for everybody, but people who love it are always looking for new ways to incorporate it into their meals. It's easy to cook and hard to mess up. Cheese-stuffed meatballs may seem daunting, but if you follow the recipe you'll knock it out of the park. Get the tutorial here.
How can you not be intrigued by this dish after looking at the photo below? Bacon isn't for everybody, but people who love it are always looking for new ways to incorporate it into their meals. It's easy to cook and hard to mess up. Cheese-stuffed meatballs may seem daunting, but if you follow the recipe you'll knock it out of the park. Get the tutorial here.
Herb beef meatloaf
In the 1950s, housewives would have killed for a slow cooker to prepare their meatloaves. It may be a decidedly old school dish, but the classics stick around for a reason. Now it's easy to whip one up, thanks to a slow cooker. Make your grandma proud by mastering this dish. Get the tutorial here.
In the 1950s, housewives would have killed for a slow cooker to prepare their meatloaves. It may be a decidedly old school dish, but the classics stick around for a reason. Now it's easy to whip one up, thanks to a slow cooker. Make your grandma proud by mastering this dish. Get the tutorial here.
Slow cooker honey and mustard glazed ham
Want something simple? There are only five ingredients in this recipe, and none of them are hard to find. Imagine honey and mustard seeping into a ham growing more and more tender for several hours. Are you salivating? Then what are you waiting for? Get the recipe here.
Want something simple? There are only five ingredients in this recipe, and none of them are hard to find. Imagine honey and mustard seeping into a ham growing more and more tender for several hours. Are you salivating? Then what are you waiting for? Get the recipe here.
Chicken marsala
Don't confuse this dish with Chicken tikka masala, the British-Indian staple (which also probably would be great for a slow cooker). Chicken marsala is an Italian-influenced dish that gets its name from Marsala wine. Choosing the right wine may be the hardest park of this recipe. Prep time is only 10 minutes, and it will make a hearty, healthy Italian meal for four. Get the full recipe at Creme de la Crumb.
Don't confuse this dish with Chicken tikka masala, the British-Indian staple (which also probably would be great for a slow cooker). Chicken marsala is an Italian-influenced dish that gets its name from Marsala wine. Choosing the right wine may be the hardest park of this recipe. Prep time is only 10 minutes, and it will make a hearty, healthy Italian meal for four. Get the full recipe at Creme de la Crumb.
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