Cooking With CrockPots

As a frugal cook I often find myself searching for ideas, recipes and methods for easy cooking and inexpensive meal shopping. I feed a family of seven within a tight food budget. It can be challenging and down right difficult at times.

As the kids grow the time I have to prepare meals lessens. Between dance practice and soccer games I don't have the time to prepare those homemade meals with the attention or dedication as I once did.

So what are my options? Simple - Cooking with Crockpots! I honestly use my rival crockpot 4 to 5 times a week. I can prepare a meal right in the crock pot the night before, refrigerate until morning and slow cook dinner throughout the day.

I know your think we eat a lot of roast and potatoes then right? Nope, not even close, you would be surprised to know that with a little tweaking you can make just about any of your favorite recipes using crock-pots. I'm no kidding it really is that simple let me show you how:

Converting Recipes For CrockPots Use

By following these simple suggestions you can ensure a delicious crock pot recipe conversion every time.

• Vegetables - cut about 1 inch thick and place in crock pot first as they need more cooking time and will be tender and delicious when the meal is done
• Beans - soak your beans first until they are soft for better crock pot chili cooking results.
• Liquids - decrease to 1/2 of the called for amount in your recipe.
• Milk - should only be added during the last hour of cooking as it breaks down over extended periods of cooking time.
• Cream soups - these are great substitute for milk and hold up for longer cooking
• Spices - add when cooking is almost complete as spices tend to evaporate over long cooking time.

By using your favorite recipes, combine with the ease slow cooking throughout the day I hope you are see the benefits of cooking with crock-pots. If not, then let me give you some food for thought:

The Benefits of Cooking With CrockPots:

1. Inexpensive Cooking- creating crock pot meals will save you money as you can purchase cheaper cuts of meat and slow cook for 8 hrs to produce tender, delicious meals.
2. Time Saver - the perfect make ahead meal for any day of the week. You have the option of preparing the slow cooker meal the night before, cooking throughout the next day and having a complete dinner ready to eat the moment you walk through the door.
3. Saves Energy - by cooking with the crock pot you are not heating the house through traditional stove-top and oven cooking methods. You will save on that power bill each month. Your body will also save on personal energy as no more slaving over a hot stove after a long day at work.

As you can see the benefits of cooking with crockpots and with the use of your family favorite recipes is a winning combination. It's time to pull the crock pot from the pantry, dust it off and start using it. Saving your hard earned money and time starts now.