As I walked through the supermarket aisles a few weeks ago, I noticed the increase in prepackaged slow cooker meals. Ive been using my slow cooker and reaping the rewards for years, so it was no real surprise to me when others started proclaiming the benefits of cooking with a slow cooker. Why did it take the rest of the country so long to catch up? With this increase in popularity, Ive recently been asked. Whats so great about slow cooking anyway?
Thats an easy question to answer even if all you’ve ever done is make chicken stew with your slow cooker. Its just so dang simple and the food tastes better when cooked slowly and evenly in a crock pot.
Im mum on maternity leave with three babies. My online business and my little ones keep me going all day long. That on top of my daughters activities and my partner working shifts, we’re usually searching for time to sit down and eat, especially eating together as a family. Thats where the slow cooker comes in handy. I have tons of slow cooker recipes, and can find just about anything to cook that my kids and picky husband like to eat.
Since we spend most of our time at home, having the kitchen stay a comfortable temperature is a must, as I spend quite a bit of time in there preparing meals and snacks for my little ones. It’s also my little sanctuary, its where I take five to make a cuppa or quickly check in on the world while my little ones nap. I use my crock pot year round, and love its usefulness during the warm weather months when I can fix the beginnings of the meal in the morning when Ive got other stuff out on the counter anyway, put it all in the pot, and then clean up the whole mess when Im done. The crock pot requires very little clean up itself, so there you have yet another major reason for why slow cooking is so great.
For those of you who work away from home, consider this scenario: As the day goes along, the slow cooker is busy fixing your meal for you, and when you walk through the door at the end of another grueling day at work, your dinner is waiting. All you need to do, depending on the recipe youve selected, is prepare a side dish or salad, add some bread, set the table, and call the family in to eat. Simple, simple, simple; and very satisfying to come home to.
Here is a favorite slow cooker recipe that you can try with your family. Im sure you’ll all love it.
Ingredients
4 large potatoes
4 carrots
1 leek
1 onion – diced
(feel free to add extra veg)
6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
2 Chicken stock cubes
1 TBS. plain flour
600ml freshly boiled water
Instructions
Slice vegetables place in crock pot. Place chicken on vegetables. Mix stock cube and plain flour together and add water to create thick gravy. Pour gravy mix over chicken. Cook on High 4 hours, or low for 6. Check in often and stir.
Serves 6
