Leave me voice mail feedback at: 971-208-5493 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kitchencounterpodcast Twitter: @TKCpodcast Email: feedback@kitchencounterpodcast.com If you liked what you heard, please consider subscribing in iTunes. You can also help out the show by leaving a positive review in the iTunes store (you know you want to)!   You want to cook more meals yourself, rather than relying on eating out, takeout, or just popping a frozen box dinner into the microwave. The problem is you don't have that much time, and quite frankly, you're kind of tired after working all day and you don't feel like laboring away in the kitchen to put a hearty and nutritious home cooked meal on the table. So what's a person to do? Slow Cooker to the Rescue Enter the slow cooker, otherwise known as the crockpot (which is an actual brand name, but is often used generically for all slow cookers). With this seemingly magical little device, you can do some minimal prep work with your ingredients, and get outstanding results with practically no effort and a little time. Because of the low wattage involved, slow cookers can be used while you are away from home (e.g. at work) and have a meal ready for you when you return. If you don't use your slow cooker (or want to use it more), or don't have one, listen on for everything you ever want to know about this underrated kitchen appliance. Afterwards I'll share some resources to get you started with a ton of slow cooker recipes. What is a slow cooker, and how does it work? Simply put, a slow cooker is an appliance that consists of a heating element, an insert (or crock) made of ceramic or porcelain, and a lid. The function of a slow cooker is to cook food at a low, steady temperature. It does this much better than pretty much anything else in your kitchen. Because of the low wattage involved you can safely leave your slow cooker plugged in and working while you are out of the house.   Varieties of Slow Cookers Slow cookers come in an endless variety of shapes and sizes, and features. Here are four from Rival Crock-Pot that show the range of what is available (even more expensive models exist, though I'm not sure they deliver as much value for the cost): Crock-Pot SCR300SS 3-Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Crock-Pot SCCPVL600S Cook' N Carry 6-Quart Oval Manual Portable Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker Crock-Pot SCVT650-PS 6-1/2-Quart Programmable Touchscreen Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Slow Cooker Recipes Here are resources to get you started off with a ton of slow cooker recipes! 50 Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes! Overnight Oatmeal Recipe Allrecipes.com Slow Cooker Recipes 100 Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes Southern Living Slow Cooker Recipes   Tips for getting the most out of your slow cooker - Prep your slow cooker ingredients ahead of time (not necessarily the night before--think a few days ahead), and keep in fridge or in ziploc bags until ready to drop in the crock. - If you don't have time or don't want to hassle with sauteeing your aromatics (onion, garlic, etc) you can cut them up and put them in a bowl with some oil. Microwave for a few minutes, then toss into the crockpot! - Cheaper cuts of meat, with bone in, are better for the slow cooker. Lean meats, light meat chicken, and fish...not so much. - Don't put frozen meat directly into the crockpot. It will take longer to come to a safe temperature (and the texture might be a little off as well). - Don't overfill your slow cooker--you need to leave room for heat to circulate so everything makes it to proper temperature. - Don't open that lid too often - Every time you open the lid of the slow cooker a ton of heat escapes. You need to add about 20 minutes of cooking time on to the recipe for every time to open the lid! - Use less liquid than a recipe calls for (unless the recipe is specifically designed for a crockpot). Because your slow cooker will do most of its