Tips For Slow Cooking; Food Safety Tips - Weston 03-2300-W Instructions Manual

TIPS FOR SLOW COOKING

• The removable stoneware crock should be at least half-filled for best results. If
only half-filled, check for doneness 1 to 2 hours earlier than recipe.
• Stirring is not necessary when slow cooking and removing glass lid results in
major heat loss and the cooking time may need to be extended. However, if
cooking on High, you may want to stir occasionally.
• If cooking soups or stews, leave a 2-inch (5-cm) space between the top of the
removable stoneware crock and the food so that the recipe can come to a simmer.
• Many recipes call for cooking all day. If your morning schedule doesn't allow
time to prepare a recipe, do it the night before. Place all ingredients in removable
stoneware crock, cover with lid, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply
place the removable stoneware crock in slow cooker.
• Some foods are not suited for extended cooking in a slow cooker. Pasta, seafood,
milk, cream, or sour cream should be added 2 hours before serving. Evaporated
milk or condensed soups are perfect for slow cooking.
• The higher the fat content of meat, the less liquid is needed. If cooking meat with
a high fat content, place thick onion slices underneath so meat will not sit on (and
cook in) fat.
• Slow cookers allow for very little evaporation. If making your favorite soup, stew,
or sauce, reduce liquid called for in original recipe. If too thick, liquid can be added
later.
• If cooking a vegetable-type casserole, there will need to be liquid in the recipe to
prevent scorching on the sides of the removable stoneware crock.

FOOD SAFETY TIPS

• Do not use frozen, uncooked meat in the slow cooker. Thaw any meat or poultry
before slow cooking.
• Visit www.foodsafety.gov for more information on safe internal cooking
temperatures.
• To store leftovers after cooking, do NOT place the entire removable stoneware
crock in the refrigerator since contents will take too long to cool. Instead, divide
leftovers into smaller containers and place into refrigerator.
• Never allow undercooked or raw meat to sit at room temperature in the slow
cooker. Once meat is placed into the removable stone- ware crock, it should be
cooked immediately (unless prepping slow cooker the night before, where crock
should be placed into the refrigerator).
IF YOU LIVE IN A HIGH-ALTITUDE AREA:
The Extension service will have detailed information about cooking for your area.
To locate the Cooperative Extension service in your county, please visit: http://
www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/.
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