As winter approaches, people are preparing for their tried and trusted methods of keeping warm. They may take out the thick, snuggly clothes and blankets or dust off the heater. Some stock up on warming drinks like hot chocolate, fortified wine and vodka. Most also get ready to prepare those rich, comforting, hearty meals that will drive the winter blues away. With a couple of crock pot chicken recipes, you can prepare great winter comfort food without having to slave away in the kitchen.
The name 'crock pot' is actually a brand name for a specific kitchen appliance. However, many people use it simply to refer to a slow cooker in general. It's a special device that uses low temperatures to cook your food very slowly.
The great thing about a slow cooker is that it saves you a lot of time in the kitchen. You simply have to add the ingredients to the device, set the timer and leave it. Because you don't have to watch it constantly, you can leave your food cooking while you go to work, shopping or take a long nap. It's very difficult to burn anything in a slow cooker, which makes it perfect for people whose culinary skills aren't too great.
A common way to use slow cooking is to make stews. This is perfect if you have tough meat that you want to turn into something tasty, since the extended cooking time makes the meat soft and tender. Adding the right spices will help you to make a fragrant chicken curry too, just like you would in a tandoor, the clay oven used in Indian cooking.
Another type of dish that seems to have been made for the slow cooker is soup. Hours of simmering makes the vegetables so soft that they'll almost dissolve in the stock. If you want a creamier soup, simply ladle a bit into a blender and liquidize it, then add it back into the pot. A chicken soup can be kept thin, more like a broth, to sip on when you're feeling under the weather, or you may want to add noodles to give it some substance.
There are many other ways in which to use your slow cooker. It's great for preparing whole chicken that's so tender it falls off the bone. Sauces are tasty and full of flavor when they've been allowed to simmer for a long time. There are even ways to make desserts and candy in your slow cooker and it's perfect for making jams and preserves too.
Because slow cooking requires relatively low temperatures, the liquid evaporates much more slowly. Therefore it's important not to add too much water or stock to the pot or your meals will be watery. Another secret is to first saute your ingredients. This helps to seal in their flavor and some of the nutrient content. Before serving, add some extra vitamins to the meal by squeezing a bit of lemon juice over or garnishing the dish with chopped cilantro or parsley.
If you love poultry meat, you can't go wrong having a few basic crock pot chicken recipes in your arsenal. The appliance usually comes with a recipe booklet where you can find ideas. The internet is another wealth of information and resources but through experimentation with your slow cooker, you may stumble across your own winter standbys.
The name 'crock pot' is actually a brand name for a specific kitchen appliance. However, many people use it simply to refer to a slow cooker in general. It's a special device that uses low temperatures to cook your food very slowly.
The great thing about a slow cooker is that it saves you a lot of time in the kitchen. You simply have to add the ingredients to the device, set the timer and leave it. Because you don't have to watch it constantly, you can leave your food cooking while you go to work, shopping or take a long nap. It's very difficult to burn anything in a slow cooker, which makes it perfect for people whose culinary skills aren't too great.
A common way to use slow cooking is to make stews. This is perfect if you have tough meat that you want to turn into something tasty, since the extended cooking time makes the meat soft and tender. Adding the right spices will help you to make a fragrant chicken curry too, just like you would in a tandoor, the clay oven used in Indian cooking.
Another type of dish that seems to have been made for the slow cooker is soup. Hours of simmering makes the vegetables so soft that they'll almost dissolve in the stock. If you want a creamier soup, simply ladle a bit into a blender and liquidize it, then add it back into the pot. A chicken soup can be kept thin, more like a broth, to sip on when you're feeling under the weather, or you may want to add noodles to give it some substance.
There are many other ways in which to use your slow cooker. It's great for preparing whole chicken that's so tender it falls off the bone. Sauces are tasty and full of flavor when they've been allowed to simmer for a long time. There are even ways to make desserts and candy in your slow cooker and it's perfect for making jams and preserves too.
Because slow cooking requires relatively low temperatures, the liquid evaporates much more slowly. Therefore it's important not to add too much water or stock to the pot or your meals will be watery. Another secret is to first saute your ingredients. This helps to seal in their flavor and some of the nutrient content. Before serving, add some extra vitamins to the meal by squeezing a bit of lemon juice over or garnishing the dish with chopped cilantro or parsley.
If you love poultry meat, you can't go wrong having a few basic crock pot chicken recipes in your arsenal. The appliance usually comes with a recipe booklet where you can find ideas. The internet is another wealth of information and resources but through experimentation with your slow cooker, you may stumble across your own winter standbys.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.favfamilyrecipes.com for more helpful information about Easy Comfort Food With Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
No comments:
Post a Comment