Slow Cooker Meals

Everyone knows about "fast food" and there are several publications and a few politicians stating that they have been and are ruining our diets and our health. But what do you know about "slow food"? I have recently been introduced to this concept by a doctor friend of mine. He indicated that this is a growing trend nowadays.

Everything from appetizers to main courses can be cooked and served in slow cookers. If you have started using your own slow cooker or “crock pot” on a constant basis to prove its worth, you most probably are thinking of ways to modify your family's favorite meals into crock pot recipes. Here are some tips to adapt your usual recipes into healthier slow cooking recipes.

Slow cookers come in many styles, shapes and sizes. Knowing the size of pot for your cooking needs allows you the ability to make the right amount of food for the family meals. Round crockery cookers are fine for soups and stews. Oval shaped pots are known better for roasts, hams and whole chickens.

The following is a general cooking guide when considering time between traditional and crock pot cooking:

15- 30 minutes traditional - 1.5 to 2 hours High / 4.6 hours Low in a crock pot

35- 45 minutes traditional - 3-4 hours High / 6-10 hours Low in a crock pot

50 minutes-3 hours traditional - 4-6 hours High / 8-18 hours Low in crock pot