Cooking Tip#2
Use your Slow Cooker
If you are a reluctant cook, a slow cooker can be your best
friend! Many slow cooker recipes simply require you to add ingredients to the
cooking insert, turn it on, and let it go. The “set it and forget it”
philosophy is a huge help to many home cooks who don’t like to stand over a
stove and prepare meals.
Slow cookers aren’t just for soups and stews. You can slowly
roast meats, make casseroles, prepare breakfasts, snacks, appetizers, and even
desserts! (Shameless plug -- my slow cooker cookbook “The Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook”, which includes recipes for ALL of these
categories will be coming out this October 2012!)
A 4-quart slow cooker is a great all-purpose size to start
with, especially for couples or small families. You can cook small roasts or
chicken, casseroles, soups, stews, etc... that will feed enough for 4-6 people.
Another slow cooker bonus is that it’s generally very easy
to clean. Before adding ingredients to cook, simply grease or treat the slow
cooker with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. This will help foods not to
stick to the glazed stoned insert that’s found in newer slow cookers. Once
removing the cooked food, cut the slow cooker off and allow to cool for about
30 minutes. When the stone-insert is cool enough to handle, gently wash with
hot soapy water. Dry with a kitchen towel and place back in the slow cooker!
It’s instantly ready for the next use.
 |
| My favorite little red 4-quart slow cooker. |
A few of my favorite slow cooker recipes:
● Boston
Baked Beans http://gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/2011/05/easy-gluten-free-boston-baked-beans.html
● Simple
Baked Apples http://gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/2010/08/delicious-frugal-naturally-gluten-free.html
● Creamy
Chicken Tacos http://gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/2008/05/kid-friendly-food-fridays-creamy.html
● Slow
Cooker Chicken with Artichokes http://gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/2010/06/30-days-gluten-free-quick-easy-meals_19.html
● Easy
Bolognese Spaghetti Sauce http://gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/2010/10/easy-gluten-free-bolognese-meat-sauce.html
Reader’s Tip of the Day:
“An easy, quick meal can start with a frozen piece of meat.
I like to put a chicken or roast in the slow cooker in the morning completely
frozen. I add a few favorite veggies. For me that would be carrots, celery,
onions, and garlic. For someone else, it could differ. Add a few of your
favorite seasonings, a bit of broth or water, turn it to low, and walk away for
the day.” -- Pamela M., author of Aseafish Out of Water
Please visit each topic in "10 Days of Gluten Free"
From: May 7th - May 18th
- Getting Started - Linda @ The Gluten-Free Homemaker
- Resources – Wendy @ Celiacs in the House
- Traveling – Karen @ Gluten-Free Travel Blog
- Eating Out – Heather @ Gluten-Free Cat
- Frugal Tips – Janelle @ Gluten Freely Frugal
- Baking – Jules @ Jules Gluten Free
- Kids – Lynn @ Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
- Lunch Boxes – Tessa @ Tessa the Domestic Diva
- Shopping – Laura @ Gluten Free Pantry
Included with this awesome series is a giveaway on each blog once the two weeks are over! I will be giving away a brand new copy of Carol Fenster's cookbook, "100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes." This is one of my FAVORITE gluten free cookbooks with an awesome collection of Carol's absolute best recipes.
The Giveaway Nitty Gritty:
- This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents 18 and older.
- You are allowed one entry per "10 Days of Gluten Free" blog post for a total of 10 entries on this blog.
- Enter by leaving a comment (WITH an email address to contact you) on this post (and other 10 Days of GF posts).
- The giveaway begins May 7, 2012 and ends at 11:59 pm eastern time on May 18, 2012.
- No purchase is necessary.
- Odds of winning are based on the number of entries.
- The winner will be randomly chosen and will be contacted by email.
- The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen
