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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q
“What if the food isn’t done after cooking the amount of time
recommended in the recipe?”
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 in the Smart-Pot
™
due to the
extended cooking times. If this happens, simply reset the cooking
time to the 4 hour setting and allow to continue cooking for an
additional 1 to 2 hours or until doneness is achieved.
Q
“Must the Crock-Pot
®
slow cooker be covered? Is it necessary to
stir?”
A
Cook with the cover on. The Crock-Pot
®
slow cooker will not recover
heat losses quickly when cooking on
LOW
setting. Significant
amounts of heat escape whenever the lid is removed; therefore the
cooking time must be extended. Avoid frequent removal of the
cover for checking cooking progress or stirring. Never remove cover
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 stoneware and stir well. Press “Cook Time”
button to switch to
HIGH
and when it comes to a boil (about 15
minutes), it’s ready.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (CONT.)
Q
“Can I cook a roast without adding water?”
A
Yes – if cooked on
LOW
setting. 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.
LOW-FAT RECIPES
• Health professionals recommend that you get no more than
30% of
your total DAILY calories from fat.
4
1
⁄
2
AND 5 QUART MODELS
• All recipes in this book may be prepared as shown for the 4, 4
1
⁄
2
and 5
quart models. If desired, recipes may be increased by one-half. When a
recipe may be doubled, it will be indicated by a footnote. If a recipe is
increased, cooking time may need to be extended.
• The size and shape of the 4
1
⁄
2
and 5 quart Crock-Pot
®
slow cooker is
ideal for larger roasts (3 to 5 pounds), baking hens (3 to 4 pounds), and
picnic hams (up to 5 pounds). These weights depend on shape.
Extended cooking times may be necessary for these larger cuts.
5
1
⁄
2
& 6 QUART MODELS
Important: When using 5
1
⁄
2
, 6, and 6
1
⁄
2
quart models, all recipes may be
used but should be doubled according to the guidelines below:
• Liquids in soups, stews, sauces, or meat and vegetable combinations
should be increased by one-half and not doubled. For example: the
recipe in the book calls for 1 cup of liquid. Begin with 1
1
⁄
2
cups when
doubling the recipe; add liquid only if necessary.
NOTE:
When
doubling casserole recipes which contain rice or pasta, it is necessary to
double the liquid along with other ingredients.
• Do not double strongly flavored food such onions or herbs and
seasonings such as garlic, pepper or chili powder. Begin by increasing
by one-half. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary, just before serving.
IMPORTANT TIPS
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