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Shop Talk: 5 Mistakes To Avoid When Using a Slow Cooker

Article by: ManTestedRecipes  |  Photo by: MTR
Shop Talk: 5 Mistakes To Avoid When Using a Slow Cooker
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These time-saving wonder devices can make amazing meals, like Johnny's Slow Cooker London Broil, above. But they aren't completely idiot-proof. Here are five things to watch out for:
1
Removing the lid during cooking. Slow cookers stay hot by trapping heat. When you lift up the lid to check on your meal, you're adding as much as 30 minutes of cooking time.
While We're At It...
The same principle applies when you're grilling. Hands off, fellas!
2
Adding extra liquid. See all those veggies in your slow cooker? They'll release liquid as they cook. No need to add your own, unless it's for flavor.
All Wet?
If you end up with too much liquid, you can either boil it off at the end by turning the slow cooker to high and removing the lid, or by combining two tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of flour in a small bowl, and stirring the mixture into the food.
3
Using frozen meat or veggies. Frozen meat may not get cooked to the proper temperature, increasing the risk of icky bacteria in your food and a very sleepless night. Frozen veggies cool down your dish and vastly increase the cooking time.
4
Buying a slow cooker with a heating element on the bottom only. True slow cookers have heating elements surrounding the food, bringing it to a bacteria-safe temperature within four hours. A bottom-only heating element is really just a hot plate.
5
Adding dairy products too soon. Milk, cheese and sour cream will curdle when cooked for a day. Add these items in the last hour of cooking.
Yeah, but...
Heavy cream will be fine in the slow cooker.
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Man Tested Recipes

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