1. Slow-Cooking Recipes
Slow-cooking is a technique that means what
it says: Foods are slow cooked, generally for
several hours, to create the finished product.
The slow-cooking can be done in the oven, on
a barbecue grill, or in a crock pot. The following
are recipes you will find on GourmetRecipe for
slow-cooked foods.
In the Oven
Slow-cooking in the oven is usually referred to as “roasting”. Foods are roasted to
either dry them out and make them crisp or to make them tender, depending on
the recipe. An example of a food that is slow-cooked to dry it out would be oven-
dried tomatoes. However, this Coffee Pot Roast is roasted for four hours in a 325
degree oven to insure the meat will be tender and juicy when it is cooked. The
meat is soaked overnight in vinegar to make it even tenderer. Cuban Roast Pork
Shoulder requires a cooking time of three hours and 30 minutes, also in a 325
degree oven to cook it to perfection.
On the Grill
Slow-cooking can be done on the grill, either with gas or with charcoal. The secret
is to cook the meat a long time at a slow heat. Grilled Whole Chicken, chicken
seasoned with cloves of garlic, is a whole bird slow-roasted in the center of the
grill for about 1 1/2 hours to ensure the meat is tender and juicy. The ribs in this
Honey and Onion Ribs recipe are rubbed with a dry mix of brown sugar, cumin,
garlic powder, pepper, paprika, then chilled for 2 hours, grilled for at least 1 1/2
hours, and then served with a spicy sauce of olive oil, onion, tomato sauce, beer,
honey, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce for a mouth-watering zest and
tenderness.

2. In a Crock Pot
A crockpot is often used to slow-cook foods for a long period of time, like all day
or overnight. The ingredients for a dish can be put into a crock pot, left to cook for
up to 14 hours (depending on the recipe), and it will be ready without any more
fuss or bother. It’s a great way for busy cooks to prepare meals. For instance, a
pot of Slow-Cooked Corned Beef and Cabbage can be prepared in less than five
minutes. Just combine all the ingredients – beef brisket, onion, cabbage, pepper,
vinegar, sugar and water – cover and cook. That’s it! Then enjoy it when it’s done
at the end of the day. The filling for Pulled BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwiches can be
prepared in 10-15 minutes, and left to cook all day, 5-8 hours, depending on the
heat level. The result will make 5-6 sandwiches to feed your hungry family. You
can make soup for lunch or for the whole family with this Vegetable Beef Soup
recipe. It will make enough for 10 servings, but if you don’t want or need that
much, you can cut the ingredients in half for a smaller batch. Either way, it will be
ready in about 8 hours.
Slow Cooking
Slow cooking allows amateur or
professional cooks to toss
ingredients in a pot and walk away
– often for hours. It saves time in
the kitchen and is an easy way to
create moist, delicious food.
Slow Cooker vs. Crock Pot
Although the terms “slow cooker”
and “crock pot” are often used
interchangeably, there is a
difference between the two. Slow cookers typically only have heating elements
on the bottom, whereas crock pots have heating elements on the sides of the pot,
too. However, the term “slow cooking” applies to any cooking method that cooks
food in a slow manner. This includes not just crock pots and slow cookers, but
also stewing and roasting.

3. Slow Cooking Basics
The basic method of using a slow cooker is to place the food in the bottom of the
cooker, putting any vegetables on the very bottom, followed by any meat. Liquid
goes in last. Depending upon the quantity and type of food that’s prepared, it
stays in the slow cooker for about 4 to 12 hours. This allows the cook to leave the
kitchen and tend to other things; it’s even safe to leave the house. The food will
not burn because the slow cooker remains at a low temperature of 200 to 300
degrees F, depending upon which setting is used.
Preparing the Food
One of the strong points of slow cooking is that
it’s far easier to take tougher, less expensive cuts
of meat and make them tender. Slow cookers
remain covered during the cooking process,
allowing steam to build up in thepot. This not
only keeps the food moist, but it helps melt the
collagens in tougher cuts of meat, making
themeasier to chew.
For the best flavor, it’s smart to pre-brown
meat - but it isn’t absolutely necessary.
Ground meats should be pre-cooked or the
meal will end up o very greasy. To ensure
even cooking, cut meat, poultry, or
vegetable chunks into pieces of
approximately the same size. If cooking a large piece of meat
(like a roast or small poultry), make sure it fits into the slow cooker easily. If it’s
crammed into the pot, it won’t cook evenly.
The Finished Meal
Slow cookers are best used with recipes designed for crock pots or slow cookers.
However, it’s possible to adjust recipes to make them suitable for slow
cookers. Please refer to our article on crock pots for details for information on
how to do this.

4. Do remember foods that cook for a long period of time tend to lose their color. To
brighten up a slow cooked meal, be sure to add some chopped herbs or
seasonings shortly before serving. For example, one minute before turning off the
slow cooker, you might add chopped chives or parsley. Be sure to also taste the
meal before serving, adjusting the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.