Why You Should Use a Crock Pot (Slow Cooker) – If You Don’t Already!

Crock Pots are Wonderful (and Green!). Here’s Why

We all know it’s healthier to cook fresh, wholesome meals each day. But sometimes it’s not easy to find the time (and inclination) after a hard day.

But with a crock pot or slow cooker, you can start it when you head off to work in the morning and enjoy a hot, delicious meal when you arrive home at the end of the day.

Find out why I love slow cookers, how they’ve changed and improved recently, what NOT to do with a crock pot, and enjoy a great recipe below.

Why they’re so useful

Crock pots or slow cookers:

• Are perfect for creating no-fuss, one-pot meals
• Are easy – it is virtually impossible to burn or ruin food when cooking with this method (this is my favourite feature!)
• Allow you to use cheaper cuts of meat which will end up mouth-wateringly tender due to extended cooking times over low heat.
• Are really easy to clean, thanks to a removable and durable inner pot.
• Are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different size households
• Save you work and time because you can cook a large meal then portion and freeze the extra for quick reheating for another meal later
• Reduce food waste because you can easily store or freeze leftovers
• Are “green” and eco-friendly, because everything is cooked in one utensil, saving on energy use and washing up
• Are healthy because it’s so easy to cook fresh meals each day without effort – of course you’ll eat out or buy take-out food less often!

What NOT to do with a Crock Pot

Part of green living means saying no to disposable or single-use items ¹.

It is possible in some countries to purchase disposable liners for your crock pot. The idea is that you toss them into the trash when your meal is done to avoid cleaning up.

The way I look at it, you’re washing up plates and glasses anyway – just wash the crock pot inner as well (most are dishwasher safe) and reduce your footprint on our crowded planet.

Did You Know?

Crock pots or slow cookers have come a long way since they started. Originally they were only for simple, low-temperature cooking.

Now you can brown, sauté, steam, slow cook and even boil soups, stews, roasts and casseroles in them!

Some brands even allow for combination cooking at different times and temperatures, as well as dishwasher-safe removable parts, accessories like a steaming rack, and separate time and temperature displays.

Crock Pot / Slow Cooker Recipe

If you cook chicken in a crock pot or slow cooker, it can be quite dry at the end of the cooking process, especially if it’s boneless and skinless.  A good way to avoid this is to cook it in an acidic marinade, or, as in the recipe below, in yoghurt.

This is a really simple recipe which yields a satisfying, wholesome meal.

Chicken Stroganoff a la Crock Pot (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 onion, chopped (or 2 tablespoons dry, minced onion)
• 16 oz. / 450 ml plain yogurt
• 1 can or packet of Cream of Mushroom Soup (not condensed, preferably MSG free and organic)
• 2 chicken boullion or stock cubes
• 1 large clove minced garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 16 oz. / 450g chopped, fresh organic mushrooms
• ½ cup  / 125ml dry white wine
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• chopped fresh or dry parsley for garnish

Method

1. Put the chicken breasts in the bottom of a crock pot.
2. Mix remaining ingredients, except for the parsley.  Pour over the chicken and cover.
3. Cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve on noodles, potatoes, spaetzle dumplings or rice. Garnish with parsley.

Crock pots are convenient, easy, healthy and eco-friendly too!

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^{1. Disposable items take resources to make, are used only once and then add to landfills when they are trashed. Most disposables are plastic and so are made from petroleum or oil – we continue our reliance on polluting fossil fuels by buying more plastic goods ↩}