-11-
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SLOW COOKER (CONT.)
Q
“Can I cook a roast without adding water?”
A
Yes – if cooked on
LOW
. We recommend a small amount because
the gravies are especially tasty. The more fat or “marbling” the
meat has, the less liquid you need. The liquid is needed to
properly soften and cook vegetables.
This guide is designed to help you adapt recipes to the Slow Cooker —
your own favorites and prized recipes collected from friends, food
companies, newspapers and magazines. Our aim is to save preparation
time with fewer steps and dishes…and to keep cooking simple. In most
cases, all ingredients can go into your Slow Cooker in the beginning and
can cook all day. Many preparatory steps are unnecessary when using the
Slow Cooker. A few hints:
• Allow sufficient cooking time.
• Cook with Glass Lid on.
• Do not add as much water as some recipes indicate.
• Remember — liquids don’t “boil away” as in conventional cooking.
Usually you’ll have more liquid at the end of cooking instead of less.
• It’s “one-step” cooking: many steps in recipes may be deleted. Add
ingredients to Removable Stoneware at one time and cook 8 to 12
hours (add any liquid last).
• Vegetables do not overcook as they do when boiled in your oven or
on your range. Therefore, everything can go into the Slow Cooker at
one time. EXCEPTION: Milk, sour cream or cream should be added
during last hour.
GUIDE TO ADAPTING RECIPES
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SLOW COOKER
-10-
Q
“What if the food isn’t done after 8 hours…when the recipe
says 8 to 10 hours?”
A
This is due to voltage variations which are commonplace
everywhere; altitude; or even extreme humidity. The slight
fluctuations in power do not have a noticeable effect on most
appliances; however, it can slightly alter the cooking times. Allow
plenty of time, and remember, it is practically impossible to
overcook. You will learn through experience whether to decrease
or increase cooking times.
Q
“Must the Slow Cooker be covered? Is it necessary to stir?”
A
Cook with the Glass Lid on. The Slow Cooker will not recover heat
losses quickly when cooking on
LOW
setting. Significant amounts
of heat escape whenever the Glass Lid is removed; therefore the
cooking time must be extended. Avoid frequent removal of the
Glass Lid for checking cooking progress or stirring. Never remove
Glass Lid during the first 2 hours when baking breads or cakes.
It is not necessary to stir while cooking on
LOW
heat. While using
HIGH
heat for short periods, occasional stirring improves the
distribution of flavors.
Q
“How about thickening the juices or making gravy?”
A
Add some quick-cooking tapioca to any recipe when you want to
make a thick gravy. Add the tapioca at the beginning and it will
thicken as it cooks! Or you may remove the solid foods, leaving the
juices. Prepare a smooth paste of approximately
1
⁄
2
cup flour or
cornstarch to
1
⁄
2
cup water or 4 tablespoons melted butter. Pour
mixture into liquid in the stoneware and stir well. Turn to
HIGH
and when it comes to a boil (about 15 minutes) it’s ready.
5050WCN.02.CN.OM1 6/27/02 11:17 AM Page 10