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TIPS FOR SLOW COOKING
ABOUT SLOW COOKING:
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Slow cooking has always been the best way to prepare a nutritious hot meal with
minimum preparation and maximum free time away from the kitchen.
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Traditionally slow cooking has centered on soups and casseroles but with this
oval ceramic pot you can also produce most modern family meals and dinner
party dishes. This pot is convenient as well as looking good enough to take
straight to the table for serving. (Always place the slow cooker on a heat proof
mat or surface).
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This method of cooking is ideal for preparing tougher cuts of meat, giving them
the long, gentle simmering that ensures that they become tender and full of
flavor.
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The slow cooker should be at least half full for best results to avoid over spilling.
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Slow cooking retains moisture. If you wish to reduce moisture in the cooker,
remove the lid after cooking and turn the control to high (if set to low or medium)
and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
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The lid is not a sealed fit. Don’t remove unnecessarily as the built up heat will
escape. Each time you remove the lid, allow an additional 10 minutes to the
cooking time.
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If cooking soups, leave a 5 cm space between the top of the cook pot and the
food surface to allow simmering.
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Many recipes demand all day cooking, if you do not have time to prepare food
that morning prepare it the night before and store the food in a covered container
in the refrigerator. Transfer the food to the slow cooker and add liquid/gravy.
Select the setting low, high or medium.
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Most meat and vegetable recipes require 8-10 hours on low. 4-6 hours on high
and 5-7 hours on medium.
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Some ingredients are not suitable for slow cooking. Pasta, seafood, milk, and
cream should be added towards the end of the cooking time. Many things can
affect how quickly a recipe will cook, water and fat content, initial temperature of
the food and the size of the food.
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Food cut into small pieces will cook quicker. A degree of ‘trial and error’ will be
required to fully optimize the potential of your slow cooker.
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Vegetables usually take longer to cook than meat, so try and arrange vegetables
in the lower half of the pot.
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After food is cooked, switch cooker off and leave covered with the lid. There will
be enough heat in the slow cooker to keep warm for 30 minutes. If you require
longer to keep warm switch to the low setting.
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All food should be covered with a liquid, gravy or sauce. In a separate pan or jug
prepare your liquid, gravy or sauce and completely cover the food in the slow
cooker.
