GRAVY / SAUCE
Slow cooking retains more of the juices than normal cooking. This tends to increase the volume of
cooking liquid and thin the sauce or gravy. To allow for this, sauces should initially be thicker than normal.
Anything to be sautéed could be tossed in seasoned flour beforehand, to thicken the gravy/sauce.
RECIPES
There are a few recipes in this book to get you started, and there are also a number of excellent slow
cooker recipes available at:
www.foodandhomeliving.com.au OR www.foodandhomeliving.co.nz
Use them initially to familiarise yourself with the capabilities of your slow cooker. Then using them as a
guide, vary the ingredients, vary the quantities and taste the results. Keep notes, write down what changes
you make, and you will quickly build up a range of recipes which suit your taste. Keep notes of the not so
successful ones as well, so that you know what not to do next time.
To adapt your own recipes for the slow cooker, we suggest you find a recipe which uses similar ingredients
and use that as a guide for timing and liquid quantity, along with the food preparation guidelines given earlier.
Be careful with quantities – once all the initial ingredients are put in the ceramic bowl, it shouldn’t be more
than ¾ full, to allow for expansion.
SOUP
If homemade soup appeals to you, then try some in your slow cooker. Tasty, homemade soups can be
left simmering all day or overnight. Soup benefits from long cooking, so there is no need to worry if it is
left for a few hours longer than intended. Flavours develop and infuse slowly and gently.
Tips for making soup in your slow cooker:
•
Trim and cut up the meat and/or vegetables to similar sized portions to ensure even cooking.
•
Sear food lightly in a large pan with a little cooking oil for a richer flavour.
•
For a thicker soup, stir in flour or cornflour, and then gradually add stock.
•
Do not add milk until the final half hour of cooking.
•
Cream or egg yolk may be added just before serving.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
•
Before doing anything else, unplug the slow cooker from the wall socket.
•
Using oven gloves remove the lid and ceramic bowl and place them on a heatproof surface.
•
Even if you do not intend to wash up right away, fill the ceramic bowl with warm water, otherwise the
residual heat may bake any food debris on the ceramic bowl, making its eventual removal more
difficult.
•
Do not soak the exterior of the ceramic bowl in water. The base is porous and will soak up water
which may cause it to crack when heated. Wash the lid and ceramic bowl in hot soapy water using
a cloth or sponge, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Do not use a scouring pad. The ceramic bowl may
be washed in the dishwasher.
•
All other surfaces, internal and external, should be wiped with a damp cloth. You may use a little
mild household detergent (washing up liquid) if necessary. These surfaces should be dry before
re-using the slow cooker or storing it away.
•
After some time in use, the glaze on the ceramic bowl may develop ‘crazing’, a network of small
cracks. This marking is superficial and should not be a cause for concern.
•
Do not immerse the body of the slow cooker in water or any other liquid.
•
Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaners.
•
Only the ceramic bowl is dishwasher safe. Do not put any other part of the slow cooker into the
dishwasher.
SAFEGUARDS
When using this appliance, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including but not
limited to the following:
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