Slow Cooking for Busy Times

November 20, 2012

All busy families require quick and easy meals, and a slow cooker may actually help. These appliances have long been a favorite for preparing satisfying, nutritious meals that don’t require a lot of attention. Toss in a few ingredients, turn it on, and forget about it until dinnertime. They really are the ultimate no-fuss way to cook.

Although they are ideal for creating slow-simmered soups and stews, they can also be used for so much more. Just check out the recipes and ideas in one of the many cookbooks devoted to the slow cooker. One of my favorites is Fix-It and Forget-It by Phyllis Pellman Good. This collection of delicious slow cooker recipes has been revised and updated with 100 new recipes and tips. Did you know you can make cornbread in a slow cooker? (Check out pages 27 & 28.) In addition to simple, flavorful one-pot meals, there are also chapters on appetizers and snacks, vegetables, desserts, and even beverages like "Hot Mulled Cider."

Want even quicker preparation? Try Fix-It and Forget-It 5-Ingredient Favorites. With three recipes on almost every page, this book is loaded with wonderful dishes, all requiring just five ingredients or less.

So, if your slow cooker has just been hiding in the back of your kitchen cabinet, maybe it’s time to dig it out, dust it off, and try some new recipes.

Keith A.
Blue Springs South Branch