Tag: slow cooker

The Kitchen Appliances Your Culinary Space Needs

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date September 7, 2017

Who doesn’t love helpful kitchen appliances? The one item your kitchen has to have to reduce your cooking time, increase the flavor in your food, or simply make life easier or help you to present food better. The truth is, there is such an array of kitchen appliances available that can cover our kitchen work surfaces that at some point we can run out of space to even prepare ingredients! (I’m experiencing that now since I received an array of them as wedding gifts last October.) So what kitchen appliances do you actually need? I thought I would share with you six appliances I believe you should consider.

Essential Kitchen Appliance #1: The pressure cooker

Have you ever gotten in from work or a long day out of the home and thought about your evening meal, only to realize that you have a big joint of meat to cook or something that is going to take far too long? We have all been there, and even the most prepared among us can have days where we forget about what we are going to cook. This is when a pressure cooker can really help. If you are ever unsure, then check out some of the pressure cooker reviews you can find online. A pressure cooker can help with reducing the time it takes to cook something, while still maintaining the flavor, the vitamins, and nutrients within the ingredients.

Essential Kitchen Appliance #2: The blender

I love my blenders — I have two of them, a Vitamix and a Nutribullet. The former I use as my basic blender for pretty much everything … I can even “cook” with it. The latter I use for making smoothies on the go because it comes with a handy container and lid.

Blending a sauce or making a smoothie is something many have us have grown accustomed to, so a blender is an essential within your home, wouldn’t you agree? Enabling you to blend up soups, lumpy sauces or even make your favorite fruit (or chocolate, peanut butter and banana — my favorite!) smoothie in the morning.

Essential Kitchen Appliance #3: The juicer

Juicing has become something many of us are into, so there is no surprise that a juicer is becoming one of the must-have kitchen appliances. However, aside from doing the obvious, a cooking technique to try would be to juice a vegetable, and then cook a whole vegetable within the juices of its own kind. It makes for some great flavor within your cooking.

Essential Kitchen Appliance #4: The mixer

Making cakes, kneading bread, creating meringue or simply combining wet and dry ingredients are all made easier with a mixer. This is something that every home cook would like to have in their kitchen cupboards for sure. A hand-held mixer is great to have on hand if you don’t have the space for a standing mixer. But, as I know from experience, a standing mixer makes life so much easier when doing things that require a longer mixing time, such as making whipped cream.

Essential Kitchen Appliance #5: The slow cooker

A slow cooker is something that may be more used in the colder months, but it is a great way to remain organized and have a warm home-cooked meal ready for you at the end of the day. I have two of them, one large and one medium sized. I love the simplicity of cooking with a slow cooker — just load up the pot with your ingredients, switch on the timer and let it cook all day. This works well with anything saucy, cuts of meat, stews, and casseroles. I’ve gotten the tenderest pork this way.

Essential Kitchen Appliance #6: The steamer

Finally, a steamer is a fresh and easy way to prepare vegetables while still maintaining the nutrients and vitamins within them. It can also cook fish and meat, making it a great alternative method of cooking. There are even types of bread you can make in a steamer.

Of course, there are smaller kitchen appliances and gadgets you could have, that you can store away in your cupboards and drawers, but I certainly think the above list can help even the most amateur of cooks create culinary masterpieces.

Tags blender, juicer, mixer, pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer

Healthy Living

Try These Low-Carb Lunches Using a Slow Cooker

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date August 2, 2017

Your slow cooker is probably one of the most underused appliances in your kitchen. You may use it from time to time, but it will likely be for a dinner or for something specific. If you have decided to switch to a low-carb diet, you may feel like your slow cooker has no place in your new lifestyle. However, I’m happy to tell you, there are many lunches that you can make that fit in well with your low-carb diet and that can be made in a slow cooker. Here are a few ideas, most of which can be made in large batches and frozen or used for later in the week.

Stuffed Mushrooms

What? Stuffed mushrooms in a slow cooker? Yep, with just a few tweaks, you can make this a great lunch for eating at home or on the go. Ideally, you will want to use Portobello mushrooms for this because they have larger caps. They are also fat-free, very low in calories and rich sources of copper and selenium. To work well in a slow cooker, the filling should be made of cheese, ground pork, ground beef, and seasonings. Mix your filling and place in the caps. Place the caps in the slow cooker and cook for 2 hours on high or 4 hours on low. They can be placed into a lunch carrier or can be eaten on the spot with some pasta sauce to complete the dish.

Pasta-Free Spaghetti and Meatballs

Double what? Spaghetti without pasta? Yep, there are pasta-like alternatives for people on a low-carb diet. One option is to use a vegetable spiralizer to create “noodles” out of a vegetable such as zucchini. Or you can use spaghetti squash. You can even use the spiraled zucchini along with the spaghetti squash! The spaghetti squash can be roasted alongside the meatballs in the slow cooker. Just place a piece of rolled tinfoil in between to keep them separate. The meatballs can be whatever meat you like, just make sure you are not using breadcrumbs as the binder (that increases the carbs). Use egg and some cheese instead. Cook the squash and the meatballs on low for 4 to 6 hours. Take out the squash and use a fork to pull out the meat of the squash. It will make the noodles. Then just dress the noodles with pasta sauce and the meatballs.

Pulled Pork Bahn Mi

Lucky for pulled pork fans, this dish is incredibly easy to make in the slow cooker — and it can be easy to assemble as a lunch. Just place several pieces of boneless pork chops or a half pork loin in the slow cooker with a little water for 6 hours on high or 4 hours on low. Cook until tender, but thoroughly cooked throughout. Use two forks to shred the pork. Toss in a low-carb sauce like a low-carb oriental sauce and add some shredded cabbage and other shredded vegetables. Place the mixture into a purple cabbage leaf cup or “bun” for a finished meal.

These are only three options, but by using these options you can start to find out what other recipes may be good for you. Stuffed Italian pizza peppers, pasta-free pasta dishes, and more can be derived and tweaked to your own taste.

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Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

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Tags low carb meals, slow cooker

Recipes

How To Cook the Perfect Easter Ham in the Slow Cooker

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date April 10, 2017

Are you serving Easter ham this year? One of the hardest things about cooking for a big gathering around the holidays – including Easter – is the logistics of figuring out what needs to go in the oven when. You don’t want the biscuits getting cold while the ham is still baking. I’ve been known to gather all my recipes and chart my cooking times all out — and still not get the timing right!

There just never seems to be enough time or space to bake the turkey, ham, casseroles, side dishes, pies and rolls to perfection and have it all hot and ready at the same time. That’s where your slow cooker can come to the rescue. This Easter, cook your ham in this handy kitchen gadget and free up hours of valuable oven time.

Step One: Choose Your Largest Slow Cooker

To begin with, get out your largest slow cooker. Ideally, you want one that holds at least six quarts. The size of the Easter ham you’re able to cook depends on the size of your slow cooker. Since these handy kitchen appliances aren’t terribly expensive, it may well be worth investing in a larger model if your current slow cooker is too small to hold a good-sized Easter ham.

Step Two: Choose Your Easter Ham

Choose a fully cooked ham that you think will fit in your slow cooker. It’s fine if it’s a bit of a close fit. You can even get away without the lid closing all the way. When that happens after you put your ham into the slow cooker, grab some heavy duty aluminum foil and make a tent over your slow cooker instead of the lid. Be sure to seal everything well around the rim to prevent too much heat and moisture from escaping.

Note: For easy clean-up, you may want to spray the inside of your crock with non-stick cooking spray before you add the ham. There is no need to add water or any type of cooking liquid.

Step Three: Set it and Forget It

Cook the ham on low for six to eight hours, or on high for four to five hours, or until your entire ham is heated throughout. You can use a whole ham or a spiral sliced one for this cooking method.

If you prefer the outside to be a little browned, heat the ham and then carefully transfer it to a baking dish. Broil the ham for a few minutes until it develops a nice lightly browned crust. Keep an eye on it carefully. When broiling, you can go from perfectly cooked to burnt in less than a minute.

Variations on Ham

Of course, you’re not limited to a plain ham with this recipe.

If you prefer a glazed ham, cook up a batch of your favorite glaze and pour it over the ham as you start to cook it in the slow cooker. Baste the meat every hour or two with the glaze and again before broiling, for best results.
If you want to reduce the saltiness, try basting the ham with 7-Up.
For a more traditional spiciness, poke some whole cloves along the top of the ham.
Rub the ham with honey or brown sugar for a sweeter take.

Planning an Easter Meal at Home?

Make it a relaxing, easy event with the tips, suggestions and recipes included in Easy Easter at Home, Carma’s Cookery’s latest report. Take a sneak peak at the Table of Contents, then grab a copy of your own!

Introduction
Planning Ahead: Easter Activities & Decorations
Hosting Easter Without the Stress
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or Dinner?
Share The Joy – You Don’t Have To Do Everything Yourself
It’s Not Just About the Easter Bunny – A Short History of Easter
Getting Creative with Leftovers
Closing Words
Recipes
Crafting Ideas

Tags Easter, ham, main dish, slow cooker

Recipes

Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date April 8, 2017

I’ll admit it — I’ve never been a fan of Brussels sprouts. When I was in college, I remember driving by fields of them around Central California and thinking to myself, “Are there really that many people who like Brussels sprouts?”

Well, apparently there are. And, recently I tried a dish that featured this tiny cousin of the cabbage that I actually liked! Below is not that recipe, but it looks good. Frankly, it had me at bacon.

Ingredients

1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar, lemon juice or rice vinegar (to give it a kick)
1/8 tsp salt
8 slices of bacon, cooked crisp

Directions for Slow Cooker Brussels sprouts

Wash and cut your Brussels sprouts, removing the end and slicing in half lengthwise.
Add them to your slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients, reserving half of the bacon for topping.
Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6.

Variations and Notes

Use fresh Brussels sprouts — frozen can get too bitter in the slow cooker.
Add in some cloves of garlic for extra oomph.

Planning an Easter Meal at Home?

Introduction
Planning Ahead: Easter Activities & Decorations
Hosting Easter Without the Stress
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or Dinner?
Share The Joy – You Don’t Have To Do Everything Yourself
It’s Not Just About the Easter Bunny – A Short History of Easter
Getting Creative with Leftovers
Closing Words
Recipes
Crafting Ideas

Tags Brussels sprouts, slow cooker

Cooking Techniques Tools of the Trade

Stop Stressing About Side Dishes

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date April 5, 2017

Slow Cooker to the Rescue

Easter is almost here and, if you’re reading this, I’m willing to bet that you’re already getting ready for the big Sunday family meal. Maybe you’re cooking for a few friends, or you’re having your extended family over for a nice ham dinner. Perhaps you’ve been asked to bring a dish or two to the church potluck dinner. Whatever the case may be, there’s no need to stress about getting everything cooked and keeping it hot and ready. There’s an easy way to cook up delicious sides without all the stress – in your slow cooker.

One of the big advantages of using your slow cooker is that you end up with a dish that’s very portable and it’s easy to keep warm. Just keep it plugged in until your guests arrive or when you get to your dinner destination. It also leaves your oven free to bake the ham and maybe even a pie or two for dessert.

What You Can Make in a Slow Cooker

There are all sorts of delicious side dishes you can make with this handy kitchen appliance. If you like potatoes with your ham, try making a batch of creamy mashed potatoes in there, or how about some cheesy scalloped potatoes. Macaroni and cheese is always a big hit with the kids. You can even repurpose your crockpot as a rice cooker and whip up a yummy flavored rice dish for the dinner table.

Let’s not forget about the vegetables. You can cook up all sorts of delicious vegetable dishes and casserole style sides right in your slow cooker. Root vegetables are particularly suitable for long and slow cooking. Try fixing your glazed carrots or a mix of potatoes, carrots, turnips and onions seasoned with garlic and rosemary mixed with a little olive oil and cooked on low for 8 hours or until all the vegetables are tender.

Cauliflower and broccoli in cheese sauce is always a big hit. Brussels sprouts or asparagus slowly steamed in the slow cooker can be incredibly delicious.

And remember casseroles. Most of your holiday favorite recipes can easily be adapted to be made in a slow cooker. You can either search for a crockpot specific version of your family’s favorite casseroles or follow the tip below.

How to Adapt Casserole Recipes

Cook the casserole on high for 4 hours for every hour you would bake it in the oven. Precook your meat before adding it and add most vegetables raw, at the beginning of the cooking process. Spring vegetables like peas, summer squash, zucchini, etc. only need about 2 hours to cook, so add them later. Reserve toppings for the last 30 to 45 minutes.

Cooking your favorite holiday side dishes in the slow cooker is easy-peasy lemon squeezy. Give it a try this Easter and see if you can’t free up some valuable oven space in the process.

Planning an Easter Meal at Home?

Introduction
Planning Ahead: Easter Activities & Decorations
Hosting Easter Without the Stress
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or Dinner?
Share The Joy – You Don’t Have To Do Everything Yourself
It’s Not Just About the Easter Bunny – A Short History of Easter
Getting Creative with Leftovers
Closing Words
Recipes
Crafting Ideas

Tags casseroles, root vegetables, side dishes, slow cooker

Cooking Techniques Special Occasions

Enjoy a Relaxing Easter Breakfast Using Your Slow Cooker

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date April 3, 2017

Easter falls on Sunday, April 16 this year. And you may already be planning for your Easter festivities — at least I hope you are! Have you planned what to eat for Easter breakfast?

Easter mornings are a special time. Maybe you head out with your family for a sunrise service at your local church. Or maybe you wake up to the pitter-patter of little feet ready to go Easter egg hunting. In either case, the last thing you want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen cooking up a big breakfast.

Instead, you want to relax and enjoy a yummy meal with your loved ones for breakfast. But you don’t necessarily want to go out to a restaurant in order to do that. There’s an easy way to do this. Put your slow cooker to work.

Keep Easter Breakfast Simple with Baked Slow Cooker Oatmeal

Oatmeal is always a breakfast favorite. It’s quick and easy enough to make in the slow cooker for weekend breakfasts throughout the year, but you can also make it special for Easter (or any other important day) with special add-ins and toppings like chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruits, whipped cream and the like.

Start with the basic recipe. Be sure to use rolled oats in this recipe, for the finished oatmeal will turn out much better than if you use quick cooking oats.

Ingredients
2 cups dry oats
2 cups milk
2 cups water
sugar, honey or the sweetener of your choice to taste

Directions

Mix oats, milk, and water in the slow cooker.
Add your sweetener and mix well.
Cook on low overnight (for about 8 hours).

Top with your favorite flavors and serve. Topping suggestions include blueberries, apple sauce, cinnamon, walnuts or pecans. Yogurt is also good. For a special Easter treat, you could set out small bowls with various fresh and dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips and anything else that sounds tasty in oatmeal, and let everyone make their own unique blend.

Get Ready for a Busy Day with a Hearty Breakfast Casserole

If you know you’ll have an early Easter dinner with the whole family, it may make sense to skip lunch and opt for a big hearty breakfast or brunch instead. Here’s an easy way to have your big breakfast cooking while you sleep.

Ingredients
1 lb bacon
1 small onion
1 dozen eggs
salt and pepper to taste
32 oz. of shredded hash browns
2 cups shredded cheese

Directions

The night before, fry the bacon. Allow it to cool a bit and chop it up. Set aside.
Dice the onion. Set aside.
Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Spray the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and layer 1/3 of the hash browns in the bottom of the crock. Top with 1/3 of the bacon and 1/2 cup of cheese. Repeat these layers two more times (omitting the cheese on the last layer). Pour the egg mixture over everything and top with the last cup of cheese.
Cook on low for 10 to 12 hours and enjoy when you are ready for breakfast or lunch.

Both of these ideas also work well if you’re serving brunch to your Easter guests.

Planning an Easter Meal at Home?

Introduction
Planning Ahead: Easter Activities & Decorations
Hosting Easter Without the Stress
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or Dinner?
Share The Joy – You Don’t Have To Do Everything Yourself
It’s Not Just About the Easter Bunny – A Short History of Easter
Getting Creative with Leftovers
Closing Words
Recipes
Crafting Ideas

Tags breakfast, breakfast casserole, Easter, oatmeal, slow cooker

Special Occasions

Easter Ham in a Slow Cooker

Post author By Carma Spence
Post date April 1, 2017

By Becproud (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Are you looking for an easy way to prepare ham for the holidays? If you’ve got a slow cooker, then you’ve got the easiest way to make it of all! Simply prep the meat, pop into the slow cooker, and turn the slow cooker on. Here is a simple Easter ham recipe. I’ve included a couple of variations, too.

Image by Becproud (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Ingredients

5-7 lbs ham (to fit into your slow cooker)
1/2 cup of your favorite mustard
1 cup brown sugar
salt & pepper to taste
1 onion, quartered

Directions

Cover ham in mustard and then rub with brown sugar, salt and pepper. Put inside your slow cooker. Add onions around the edges.
Cook on low for 6 hours.

Variations

Instead of brown sugar, try some molasses or honey.
Want a little kick? Toss in a few whole cloves.
Add a few whole garlic cloves, in addition to the onion.

Planning an Easter Meal at Home?

Introduction
Planning Ahead: Easter Activities & Decorations
Hosting Easter Without the Stress
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or Dinner?
Share The Joy – You Don’t Have To Do Everything Yourself
It’s Not Just About the Easter Bunny – A Short History of Easter
Getting Creative with Leftovers
Closing Words
Recipes
Crafting Ideas

Tags ham, slow cooker