Southern Living Slow Cooker

By Southern Living

There's no kitchen appliance we love more than a slow cooker, which is a busy cook's best friend. The test kitchen pros at Southern Living will show you how to turn out easy and delicious meals with their favorite slow-cooker recipes, including soups, stews, barbecue, tacos, pot roast, and more. Plus, you'll also get our best multicooker recipes so you can make homecooked meals in even less time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Southern Living
• Release date: Dec 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9780848701604

Book preview

TIPS AND TRICKS FROM THE SOUTH’S MOST TRUSTED KITCHEN

SOUTHERN CLASSIC

EASY

Dessert

Slow cookers can turn out sweet treats too. The slow-simmered flavor of apples and pears can’t be beat in winter

Apple-and-Pear Crisp

ACTIVE 30 MIN.

TOTAL 3 HOURS, 30 MIN.

SERVES 6

Cooking spray

4 cups peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith and McIntosh)

2 semifirm pears, cored and cut into eighths

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground ginger

½ tsp. kosher salt

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 cup regular uncooked oats

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

¼ tsp. ground ginger

½ cup melted butter

1. Lightly grease a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place fruit in bottom of slow cooker. Toss with granulated sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and fresh lemon juice.

2. Stir together oats and next 5 ingredients. Spoon over apple mixture. Cover and cook on HIGH 3 to 4 hours.

KNOW-HOW

Slow Cooker

TIPS

PREP AHEAD: If your slow cooker has a removable insert, assemble the ingredients in the insert the night before, and refrigerate. Keep in mind that starting with cold ingredients may increase the cook time.

DON’T PEEK: Removing the slow-cooker lid during cooking releases a great deal of heat, so resist the urge to lift the lid and look inside. Each time you remove the lid when not required, you’ll need to increase the cooking time by 20 to 30 minutes.

CUT UNIFORM PIECES: When cutting meat or vegetables, be sure the pieces are the same size so they cook evenly.

TRIM THE FAT: Slow-cooking requires little fat, so trim the excess from meats and poultry.

TRAVEL WITHOUT SPILLS: If you’re traveling with food in a slow cooker, consider investing in a model that features a locking top and an insulated carrying case. Another option is to attach heavy-duty rubber bands around the handles and lid, and then wrap the slow cooker in kitchen towels.

FINISH FRESH: Add fresh herbs and garnishes to the dish once it comes out of the slow cooker to enhance the flavor.

WATCH COOK TIMES: Although cooking times are more flexible in a slow cooker than in an oven, overcooking is still possible. Test for doneness close to the time given in the recipe.

REMEMBER CONVERSION TIMES: One hour on HIGH equals approximately 2 hours on LOW.

DON’T STIR: There is no need to stir ingredients, unless a recipe specifically calls for it. Layer the ingredients as directed in the recipe.

MAKE AHEAD

Prep Freezer Meals Like a Pro

Three steps for planning ahead and stocking up

Label a ziplock plastic freezer bag with a waterproof marker. Include the recipe name, date, and cooking instructions. Note anything that should be added later, like grated cheese.

Prepare the ingredients (such as raw proteins and vegetables, seasonings, etc.) according to the recipe, and place them in the bag. Don’t freeze fresh herbs, pasta, dairy products, or grains like rice.

Let out as much air as possible from each bag, and then flatten them so they can be stacked in the freezer. Defrost bags in the refrigerator before adding the contents to the slow cooker.

GREAT GEAR

Our Top Pick

CUISINART 3½-QUART PROGRAMMABLE SLOW COOKER

Why we love it: This slow cooker is the perfect size for soups, stews, sides, and small cuts of meat. The 24-hour LCD timer has a simple touchpad control and four settings: HIGH, LOW, SIMMER, and WARM. bedbathandbeyond.com; $59.99

KNOW-HOW

Homemade Stock, Simplified

The easiest way to make flavorful stock is with your slow cooker

VEGETABLES

• Use trimmings and scraps from potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, and other veggies. Be sure they are clean and still fresh.

• Toss in peppercorns, herb sprigs, and garlic cloves to give the stock complexity.

CHICKEN

• Roasted bones make a darker, richer stock than raw bones.

• Use collagen-rich chicken wings for a robust flavor and texture. The stock will congeal when chilled but will liquefy when heated.

BEEF

• Acidity helps break down the bones; tomato paste, red wine, and red wine vinegar are best for beef.

• Meaty bones make great stock. Reserve any bits of slow-cooked beef for soups, stews, and pastas.

COOKING TRICKS

CANDY

Clusters

These easy-prep treats make great gifts for teachers and neighbors and are simple enough for kids to help

Triple-Chocolate-Covered Peanut Clusters

ACTIVE 15 MIN. - TOTAL 2 HOURS, 15 MIN.

MAKES ABOUT 60 CLUSTERS

1 (16-oz.) jar dry-roasted peanuts

1 (16-oz.) jar unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

18 (2-oz.) chocolate bark coating squares, cut in half

2 cups (12-oz. package) semisweet chocolate chips

1 (4-oz.) package German chocolate baking squares, broken into pieces

1 (9.75-oz.) can salted whole cashews

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a 3½- or 4-quart slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on LOW 2 hours or until melted. Stir chocolate mixture. Add cashews and vanilla, stirring well to coat cashews.

3. Drop cashew mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls onto wax paper. Let stand until firm. Store in an airtight container.

PRO TIP

The Secret to Better Soup

Our Test Kitchen professionals share flavorful ways to update four favorites

CREAM-STYLE CORN

"Canned cream-style or pureed fresh corn will give a velvety texture to chowder—no flour or cornstarch needed."

—Pam Lolley

PARMESAN RIND

"I cook minestrone soup with a Parmesan cheese rind. It adds richness and infuses the broth with a subtle nutty flavor."

—Paige Grandjean

LONG-GRAIN RICE

"I prefer long-grain rice because it won’t break down in chicken soup. Cook it separately, and add to soup before serving."

—Robby Melvin

SAN MARZANO TOMATOES

"These canned tomatoes have a well-balanced flavor that I prefer for tomato soup or bisque."

—Karen Rankin

SMART SHOPPER

Easy Cleanup

These slow-cooker liners are a no-brainer since they leave behind zero mess

REYNOLDS KITCHENS SLOW COOKER LINERS

Try clear, heavy-duty plastic liners made to fit 3- to 6 ½-qt. oval and round slow cookers. Place the plastic liner inside the slow cooker before adding ingredients. Serve the meal directly from the slow cooker; then throw away the liner once the cooker has cooled.

CIAO DOWN

Kids love pasta night, but jarred sauces are a bore. Try these simple marinaras that offer real Italian flavor

Italian Turkey Ragù

ACTIVE 20 MIN. - TOTAL 8 HOURS, 20 MIN.

SERVES 6 TO 8

A meat sauce recipe that benefits from a long cooking time is the perfect