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Tips for Slow Cooking
• The removable stoneware crock should be at least half-filled for
best results. If only half-filled, check for doneness 1 to 2 hours
earlier than recipe.
• Stirring is not necessary when slow cooking and removing glass
lid results in major heat loss and the cooking time may need to
be extended. However, if cooking on High, you may want to stir
occasionally.
• If cooking soups or stews, leave a 2-inch (5-cm) space between
the top of the removable stoneware crock and the food so that the
recipe can come to a simmer.
• Many recipes call for cooking all day. If your morning schedule
doesn’t allow time to prepare a recipe, do it the night before.
Place all ingredients in removable stoneware crock, cover with
lid, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply place the
removable stoneware crock in slow cooker.
• Some foods are not suited for extended cooking in a slow cooker.
Pasta, seafood, milk, cream, or sour cream should be added 2
hours before serving. Evaporated milk or condensed soups are
perfect for slow cooking.
• The higher the fat content of meat, the less liquid is needed. If
cooking meat with a high fat content, place thick onion slices
underneath so meat will not sit on (and cook in) fat.
• Slow cookers allow for very little evaporation. If making your
favorite soup, stew, or sauce, reduce liquid called for in original
recipe. If too thick, liquid can be added later.
• If cooking a vegetable-type casserole, there will need to be liquid
in the recipe to prevent scorching on the sides of the removable
stoneware crock.
Food Safety Tips
• Do not use frozen, uncooked meat in the slow cooker. Thaw any
meat or poultry before slow cooking.
• Visit www.foodsafety.gov for more information on safe internal
cooking temperatures.
• To store leftovers after cooking, do NOT place the entire removable
stoneware crock in the refrigerator since contents will take too long
to cool. Instead, divide leftovers into smaller containers and place
into refrigerator.
• Never allow undercooked or raw meat to sit at room temperature
in the slow cooker. Once meat is placed into the removable stone-
ware crock, it should be cooked immediately (unless prepping slow
cooker the night before, where crock should be placed into the
refrigerator).
IF YOU LIVE IN A HIGH-ALTITUDE AREA:
The Extension service will have detailed information about cooking
for your area. To locate the Cooperative Extension service in your
county, please visit: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/.
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