Forget hiring a personal chef – get a crock pot instead!
Do you like the idea of a night off cooking? Do you want to have dinner ready when you come home? Does your mouth water at the mention of hearty stews and juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat? Then you definitely need a slow cooker or crock pot. With a lengthy hands-off cooking time, a slow cooker allows you to get the kids sorted, to get work done or simply to relax while your food is slowly cooking away. The best thing is: crock pots aren’t just great for warm winter meals. In summer you can use them to make preserves and jams, so they offer convenience year-round.
Another must-have item in the range of convenient small kitchen appliances is a pressure cooker. This great gadget makes fast food healthy.
Slow cooker vs pressure cooker – what’s the difference?
A slow cooker cooks food inside its ceramic crock which sits over a very gentle element. With a slow cooker, you can cook your food for up to 10 hours. Add your ingredients in the morning, then leave the crock pot to cook your meal, ready for dinnertime. A pressure cooker, on the other hand, mimics the action of slow cooking in a high-pressure steam environment, but your meal is ready within an hour.
How to choose a slow cooker
Size. If you usually cook a meal at a time for 1 to 4 adults or if you have limited storage, then a small 3- to 4-litre crock pot is best for you. If you cook for a larger family or want to take advantage of leftovers, choose a slow cooker that holds at least 5 litres.
Shape. Round slow cookers are great for stews etc., while oval crock pots can hold a whole chicken or large roast.
Features. Would you like a high-heat setting so you can sear or brown meat before adding other ingredients? Would you like steam, simmer or sauté settings?
Lid type. The KitchenAid brand, for example, offers easy quick access with a double-hinged lid without having to take the lid off and letting steam out.
