If you have been reading my posts, you already know that I love my pressure cooker, but I also use a slow cooker on my days off, especially when I am busy catching up on housework, gardening, or crafts.  It is such a wonderful way to have your dinner cook “all by itself”, while you go about your other business.

I have been using a slow cooker for many years now.  My first slow cooker was a Sunbeam Crocker Cooker-Fryer, and I used it for a very long time, but recently I have purchased a Rival Crock-Pot. I love it so much, that I even purchased one for each of my children, to get them started on experimenting with the slow cooking method.

Every household probably has at least one slow cooker, if not more, but if you are not one of them, then you really should look into it.  Basically it is a two piece pot, consisting of an insulated metal outer shell, with an electric cord, and a stoneware vessel, which is used for the actual preparation of your meal.

Preparing a meal in a slow cooker is probably the easiest way to have a home cooked meal without a lot of fuss.  For your convenience, a small cook book is included with each slow cooker, to get you started with some suggested recipes.  Once you become comfortable with this style of cooking, you will create your own favorite recipes.

It is very easy to use a slow cooker:

1. Select a recipe.
2. Have all your ingredients ready.
3. Follow your recipe directions (since meats usually need to be browned first, to add flavor).
4. Place all your ingredients in the pot.
5. Plug it into an electric outlet.
6. Set it on the recommended setting (low, high).
7. Set your timer (usually 5- 10 hours, depending on a recipe).
8. While you are taking care of  other chores, your home is filling up with a delicious aroma of your dinner.

I will be posting some of my favorite slow cooker recipes in my future posts.
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