Fresh articles from ARTICLE GALLERYhttp://www.articlegallery.net/Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:03:19 CSTArticleFriendly.com http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/336961/430/Cooking-Five-Top-Tips.html
There can not be a lot of individuals who do not like their food, but the human race, being what it is, I expect that there are a a small number of them Nevertheless, for the rest of us, food is a source of every day pleasure and, like a beverage, it is often used to commemorate a celebration not only that, but different foodstuffs are used for the different meals or distinct celebrations Commemorative meals were indubitably planned around the seasonal foods available, but some foodstuffs were ferried huge distances for the consumption of those who could pay for them For instance, my Dad deemed it a grand luxury to be given an orange in his stocking on Christmas Day sixty years ago How the times have changed! Very few kids would deem an orange a present, special or otherwise, any day of the year these days

Nevertheless, the storage of food is still a daily affair and so, I have listed a couple of top guidelines on preserving food underneath, so that you will get the best from that which you have bought or grown in your garden even a long while afterward

Chicken Stuffed With Spoons: a great way of preparing chicken to be eaten at a cold buffet or in sandwiches, is to put as many spoons as possible into the cavity of the chicken (not silver or plated ones though) Then, place the chicken in a large saucepan or pot and bring the water to the boil slowly Simmer for 10 minutes, cover and leave until the water is room temperature The spoons will retain the heat and cook the chicken from the inside out it will be one of the most succulent chickens you have ever eaten

Roasted Crisp And Light: if you like crisp-skinned roasties, it is best to parboil them first, but that is only half the story so, boil the potatoes for five minutes and drain thoroughly Put the lid on the pan and shake it about violently Bang it hard on the chopping block several times The harder the better Then put the parboiled potatoes in the baking tray with the meat or fowl to cook as you would normally

Salad Soup: Do not throw away salad that has been soaked in salad dressing Whisk it up in a food processor with a can of tomatoes of tinned soup Add lots of garlic to taste and adjust the thickness to suit your taste Chill it down and you will have one of the most delicious summer soups ever

Curdling Cure: if your mayonnaise has curdled there is one sure fire way to bring it back to life stir in a couple of tablespoons of Hellmann's mayonnaise and your problem will be over

Simply Scrumptious Topping: a really, quick, delicious and almost infinitely variable topping for a savory pie can be made in seconds Choose the flavour you want from the crisp rack; puncture the bag to let our the air and then crush the contents in the gag it really adds something to a pie The same trick can be used on the bottom of a potato pie a Texan housewife told me

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with researching the programmable crock pot. If you have an interest in cooking or crock pots, please go over to our website now at Large Crock Pots]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/336961/430/Cooking-Five-Top-Tips.html http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/336950/430/Food-Five-Tips-On-Cooking.html
There can not be a lot of individuals who do not like their food, but the human race, being what it is, I expect that there are a a small number of them Nevertheless, for the rest of us, food is a source of every day pleasure and, like drink, it is often employed to denote a happy event not only that, but different foodstuffs are eaten for the various meals or distinct events

Festive meals were indubitably considered around the seasonal foodstuffs on hand, but some foods were transported huge distances for the benefit of those who could pay for them For instance, my father thought it a grand treat to be given an orange in his stocking on Christmas Day 60 years in the past How the times have altered! Very few kids would judge an orange a present, special or otherwise, any day of the year these days

Nevertheless, the storage of foodstuff is still a daily affair and therefore, I have written a few good tips on storing foodstuff below, so that you will obtain the best from that which you have purchased or grown in your garden even a long time afterward

The Quickest Quiche: a quiche is the conventional healthy fast food and this is one of the finest quick methods to make one Put one onion, four eggs four ounces/125 grammes of butter, half a pint/250 ml milk, baking powder, 2 ounces/60 grammes of grated Cheddar cheese, parsley, salt and pepper and whatever else you like into a strong food mixer/blender Whirl it all up together and pour it into an appropriate dish, lined if you have it with some pre-made, shop bought, pastry Bake at 190C/375F/Gas Mark 6 for 40 minutes It serves four and is delicious

Heavenly Hamburgers: next time you make hamburgers, do not salt the meat before cooking them Use your traditional recipe and make the patties as usual Then, put a handful of sea salt in your favourite heavy duty frying pan and heat it up to very hot Drop the hamburgers onto the salt and cook as usual The outside of the hamburger will go crisp and the grease will be kept to the absolute minimum

Salmon In The Papers: a fantastic way to cook a whole salmon is to cook it in newspaper You ought to try it Prepare your salmon according to your favourite recipe Then wrap in three or four thoroughly drenched sheets of newspaper (any one) Make a nice parcel out of it; as neat as you can Place the soaking-wet parcel on a baking tray in the centre of a moderate oven Bake until the paper is dry on the top and then turn it over When that side is dry the salmon is done It'll take about an hour If you want to eat it hot, peal the paper off straight away and dish up If you want to eat it cold, leave the package until it is cold and then unwrap Either way the skin will stick to the newspaper

Off The Wall: if you are unsure when spaghetti is cooked, through a strand at a tiled wall If it sticks, it is done

Cheap And Cheerful: for a quick, healthy, extraordinary summer sandwich filling, pick some fresh, young dandelion leaves; wash them thoroughly; dress if you wish and put between slices off a good loaf of bread

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with researching the Rival Versaware crock pot. If you have an interest in cooking or crock pots, please go over to our website now at Large Crock Pots]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/336950/430/Food-Five-Tips-On-Cooking.html http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/336927/430/Alcoholic-Drinks-My-Top-Tips.html
In the West, alcoholic drinks are never far away from the scene at festive times, but do we aways know how to get the most from these costly luxuries? Too many people these days just think its a question of 'getting as much down as possible in as little time as possible' This is the wrong approach

After all, most people understand that a good meal does not consist of eating as many chips as possible in fifteen minutes, so why should that principle not apply to having a drink too? You will get far more enjoyment from a bottle of wine, if you spend an extra dollar on it and drink it slowly with a friend and some appropriate food than if you swill down a cheap bottle of plonk on your own It makes obvious sense, but not everyone sees it

So, with that idea in mind, I have put together a few tips on how to get more enjoyment from your alcoholic drinks, if you are old enough and of that turn of mind

Gin and Vodka - if these white spirits are your favourite tipple, always keep the bottle in the fridge, not the drinks cabinet Keep the mixers in the fridge too That way the ice will survive longer and you will not be tempted to have to swig it down before the ice melts If you are having friends around, go one step farther and put the bottle in the freezer It will not go solid You can even cut the top off a plastic cola bottle, put the bottle of gin or vodka in that, fill it with water and then freeze it Take off the plastic bottle and you have an attractive "collar of ice" around your bottle

The Last Tot - five minutes or so after finishing a bottle of spirits, tip it out one more time and the bottle that you thought was drained will deliver one more tot of contents It is not a lot, but it is a pleasant free surprise The same works for many alcohol based products including underarm roll-on and scent

White Wine - white wines taste best when they have been gently chilled over a prolonged length of time, but if you get taken by surprise visitors, put the bottle of wine in a container of ice and cold water Try not to have to put it in the deep freeze, it is too severe, but if you have to, then ten minutes is all that it takes

Port - it is always better to decant port and older, heavier red wines, because of the sediment that may be in the bottom of the bottle, which tastes awful and because it assists the aeration of the wine However, it is not always easy to see when the lees are coming The books say to use a candle, but they were written a hundred years ago The concentrated beam from a torch is much better Try using a Durabeam because its rotateable head allows it to be directed more accurately

Decanters - from time to time the stopper becomes jammed Tap it with another glass item and it should come loose If not, run the neck of the decanter under hot water for a few seconds and it will come out

Labels - if you store your wine in a damp place where the labels are likely to rot or fall off, spray them with hair lacquer beforehand

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with researching the programmable crock pot. If you have an interest in cooking or crock pots, please go over to our website now at Large Crock Pots]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/336927/430/Alcoholic-Drinks-My-Top-Tips.html http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/336596/430/Food-Tips-For-Preparing-And-Storing-It.html
In these times of superior awareness of the shortages in the world and the recent economic problems in the whole world, but particularly in the wealthy Western countries, which are the powerhouses of most Third World countries' progress, people are more aware of waste It is a sin again to throw away food, like it was 50 years ago

This can only be a good thing although it is a disgrace that it took an international financial crisis to make us recall the lesson These days, waste of any kind is greeted with public censure and so it is at home too Most people spend a very high proportion of their outgoings on food and so anyone who wants to cut back, has to first look to this quarter to make a saving

However, saving does not inevitably mean 'not buying', it can and should mean 'not throwing away' In other words, prepare your food and do not let your food go off Preparation and storage are the key words With that thought in mind, here are a few of my tips for preparing and storing food correctly

Bread - tons of bread is thrown away every day, because it has gone stale or mouldy and yet it is totally unnecessary Keep your bread in the deep freezer and not in the bread bin A whole loaf will slice frozen with the proper knife and sliced bread will come away slice by slice There is no requirement to defrost as it only takes a minute or two at room temperature

Bananas - most people understand that banana skins go black if stored in the fridge, but most people do not know that bananas can be frozen solid Yes, the skins will still turn black, but the fruit will be unharmed

Cake - to stop cake from going stale, store it in a tin with an apple The moisture in the apple will stop the cake from going hard

Watercress - to prevent watercress from wilting, store it upside down in water, that is stalks up

Salt - salt often gets damp, particularly if stored in a steamy kitchen without sufficient ventilation, but you do not have to fret about that if you put two or three grains of rice in the salt cellar They will absorb the moisture before the salt

Cereal - prevent cereal from going soft by resealing the bag with a few clothes pegs Your cereal will last weeks more

Jam - boiling jam produces a scum which has to be skimmed off and thrown away This wastes jam, goodness and flavour However, if you whisk a knob of butter into the mixture at the last minute the scum will not appear, saving time and goodness

Funnel - you always seem to need a funnel when you do not have one Then you vow to get a funnel for the next time Do not bother Just cut the top nine inches off a plastic bottle of cola It makes an ideal throw-away funnel Some of the larger bottles even have a handle on them which is even better

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with researching the programmable crock pot. If you have an interest in cooking or crock pots, please go over to our website now at Large Crock Pots]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/336596/430/Food-Tips-For-Preparing-And-Storing-It.html http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/330905/430/Pulled-Pork-Crockpot-Recipes-That-Will-Have-You-Whistling-Dixie.html
There seems to be no end to this debate; Memphis style, Southern style, North Carolina style, or South Carolina style Even Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Florida have gotten into the game! We're talking here, of course about the vast array of pulled pork crockpot recipes that make these claims

There is no agreement whatsoever on which region can claim which recipe When I started comparing pulled pork crockpot recipes, I found many of the same ingredients and cooking methods claimed by a multitude of regions, states, and cities If a dry rub is used in one recipe, I can find it used again in another recipe clear across the country, and again, claimed to be that region's style of sandwich If there are a million barbecue sauce recipes, then there are a million pulled pork recipes Let's narrow down a few ingredients or methods used to cook this sandwich and see if this puzzle can ever be solved

Vinegar - Most homemade versions of barbecue sauce for a pulled pork sandwich will include vinegar Memphis may claim this belongs to them, but South Carolina cooks say the same thing The tangy element of vinegar seems to be a sticking point for almost all recipes in which you make a classic barbecue sauce

Brown Sugar - Many dry rubs contain brown sugar to give the sweet flavor to the whole sweet-sour balance that a pulled pork sandwich should have A simple concoction of brown sugar, vinegar, and a pinch of any hot sauce or seasoning is often found in barbecue places in Florida and Alabama Whether this simple recipe originated there we'll never know Although, I can't say I've ever seen a pulled pork sandwich seasoned like this in Memphis

Dry Rub - This may be one of the oldest "new" seasoning techniques around Memphis can lay claim to this in some of the recipes you'll read, but you'll find dry rubs firmly entrenched all over the South Although dry rubs have been around for ages, the new focus may be on the availability of prepackaged rubs The labels on the bottles are just as confusing, claiming to be "The Best Of " one place or another and containing identical ingredients It doesn't matter, really To season pork with a dry rub you really need a standard list of ingredients which include paprika, cayenne, cumin, and lots of freshly ground black pepper

Condiments - The most widely accepted condiment for a pulled pork sandwich is barbecue sauce Even when there is no hint of barbecue sauce mixed in the pork itself, you'll normally find a bottle alongside the sandwich fixings From there, you can put out yellow mustard, hot sauce, and hot pepper vinegar sauce But never, never put a bottle of ketchup on the table That's considered gauche The one condiment that almost everyone agrees on its origin is cole slaw Top your sandwich with a dollop of cole slaw and you've got a Memphis style pulled pork sandwich

Cooking Method - Of course, using your slowcooker to make a batch of pulled pork may be quite a departure from the method your parents and their parents before them used The most noted methods to prepare the pork include grilling, smoking, oven roasting, and braising Different methods are claimed as original by different regions and there is no one, simple answer to this If you go to Memphis you'll see a lot of smoky pits with big hunks of pork sizzling away on the grill, but you'll also see that same method in a lot of other places, so it's hard to pin down

If you're reading this and thinking that debating over a bunch of pulled pork crockpot recipes is all a bunch of nonsense, you're probably right There you are sitting in South Carolina or Memphis or Georgia thinking "I know darn well that my Granddad created that dry rub" or some such thought, and you're probably right The fact is if your family has a recipe you've used for years, that's your recipe and your region Don't let the debate dissuade you from making your recipe truly YOURS!

Learning the methods to use for slowcooker cooking will help save time and money, but it's the mouth-watering Pulled Pork Crockpot Recipes that will get you hooked!]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/330905/430/Pulled-Pork-Crockpot-Recipes-That-Will-Have-You-Whistling-Dixie.html http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/323434/430/What-Factors-Should-You-Consider-To-Help-You-Determine-Which-The-Best-Slow-Cookers-Are.html
Many people already are aware about the benefits of using slow cookers and most of us must have used those that run on electricity but we still may not be sure about which the best slow cookers are

If you are not able to identify a slow cooker that is superior to the rest you will certainly end up missing out on some truly wonderful cooking experiences

These slow cookers are ideally suited for use by a bachelor or college going student and also by parents that live very busy lives The upshot is that these cookers will provide simple and a great alternative to having to eat fast foods or TV dinners

There are many factors that you need to address before you can pick a slow cooker that is superior to the rest Price is obviously going to be important because only a slow cooker that is affordable is going to be the best option for you; those that are too expensive for you to afford will not be considered because you won't have the money to buy them

When it comes to picking the slow cooker that is the best you must factor in the capacity of the cooker Typically, you ought to look at those slow cookers that have between one and two quarts capacity which will be suitable for cooking meals for one or two people It follows therefore that a six quart slow cooker will be ideal for three to six persons

You should also take into account factors such as how easy is it to clean up your slow cooker and you should also see whether the cooker can also be used as a serving bowl In addition, you want to look at features such as programming ability and also temperature control Digital controls would also help to make a slow cooker more effective

Electronically operated slow cookers are often considered the best option though many would argue that those that work mechanically are better because the latter type offer more simplicity in using the cooker and are more reliable as well

Check out customer reviews for the most popular all clad slow cookers and find fantastic prices. Visit us now at http://bestslowcookers.net.]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/323434/430/What-Factors-Should-You-Consider-To-Help-You-Determine-Which-The-Best-Slow-Cookers-Are.html http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/321728/430/Cast-Iron-Cookware.html
There are different types of cast iron cooking pots with different materials, available in the market People buy them according to their taste and economical condition These types of cast iron cooking pots are easy to use due to its lightweight quality Some people believe that steel materials cooking posts are the best for cooking
Iron has many innate characteristics that make it a dependable element in producing several cooking items like non-toxic, excellent diffusion, amazing heat retention properties, and can be molded easily Cast iron cooking pots made of iron material and this type of cookwares are very durable and long lasting Mostly professional cooks and cooking fan prefer this material for their cookware Cast iron cooking pots all time favorite especially frying and searing due to its superb retention and heat diffusion quality That is why these cooking pots are especially used for braised dishes or long cooking stews
These cooking pots have a non-stick surface and they are prefect for egg dishes such as scrambled egg, pineapple and cornbread upside-down cakes Cast iron cooking pots comes in frying pans, tetsubin, dutch ovens, deep fryer, griddles and flattop grills and potjies woks
People with iron deficiencies can even benefits from this These cooking pots are also advisable for anemic people but risky for those with diagnosed excessive iron issues However Cast iron cooking pots already has some coating and leaching so they are no longer an issue
These iron pots are very easy to clean There is no need to use dishwasher or scourer cleaning these pots because it can remove or damage the seasoning of bare cast iron pots and pans Only wipe them after every use or utilize a stiff brush with some hot water You can use mild soap and water only if you feel some greasy
Cast iron cooking pots replaced the old metal that was famous and in use during last centuries These cooking pots are tremendously good type of product to cook with When you take care of your cast iron cookware properly, it serves to protect your investment and it will last for generations

Are you still looking for Cast Iron cooking pots? We are providing cookware advices, tips and resources and other information on cast iron cooking pots. ]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/321728/430/Cast-Iron-Cookware.html http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/319464/430/Turn-Your-Favorite-Dessert-Recipes-Into-Your-New-Favorite-Crockpot-Dessert-Recipes.html
When you're planning your big holiday meal, do you often feel like you spend way too much time figuring out how you're going to shuffle all your dishes in and out of the oven to make room to cook your desserts? My solution this year is to take my favorite desserts and transform them into crockpot dessert recipes Using your crockpot to make desserts is a great way to free up valuable oven space so you can keep your main courses cooking instead of spending time rotating them in and out of the oven

We have three traditional desserts that we typically serve after a big holiday meal The original recipes differ somewhat from the crockpot dessert recipes, but they are not difficult to make Let me share with you how I've tweaked these dessert recipes to make in my crockpot instead of the oven

Apple Brown Betty: If you make this dessert in the oven, you have to time it just right so that you're pulling it out only a few minutes before serving That's because it's better served hot with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top You can basically use all the ingredients you normally do, but I add a little more butter You're going to cook it on low for a couple hours so that's all the timing required No last minute switching casseroles around so you can get this dessert done at the perfect time

You can add a crunchy topping just before serving if you wish Just mix the ingredients together in a small saucepan and heat until butter is incorporated Sprinkle on your mixture either just before serving or after you scoop the apples into dessert bowls

PB and Chocolate Brownies: Brownies are always yummy, but this brownie dessert tops them all with the added peanut butter! You begin with a regular brownie mix, but the dessert isn't cut into squares like normal brownies You spoon the dessert into bowls instead of cutting them into traditional brownie squares Serve while hot so that the added ice cream or whipped topping melts a little Very yummy!

You can garnish this dessert a bit more with a sprinkle of Reese's Pieces or even some mini peanut butter cups A few chocolate sprinkles is nice, too Once again, you throw this all together to cook a few hours before you want to serve dessert and you don't have to worry about shuffling pans in and out of the oven And, your dessert will be ready to serve, still nice and warm

Classic Pecan Cheesecake: If you have a favorite cheesecake recipe you might as well use it I make a graham cracker crust with some finely chopped pecans added The filling I use is pretty classic The tricky part of this dessert is that you'll have to make sure a 7" springform pan will fit Usually a 5 quart or 6 quart size will work, but make sure before you begin

You'll need to put a small rack in the bottom to hold the springform pan off the bottom If you don't have a rack that fits, just pull a good length of aluminum foil off the roll and form a donut shape out of it to support the pan Put that on the bottom and put your pan in Just be sure the pan is at least an inch off the bottom Use enough foil to get a good support You want to cook your cheesecake on high for several hours, then shut off the heat and let it sit in there for another hour or until it's cool enough to handle Then you'll let it cool completely on a rack on the counter before you remove the pan from the cheesecake Because you serve cheesecake either room temperature or cold, you can actually get this prepared ahead of time Remember to refrigerate any leftovers like you're going to have any!

If you've been struggling year after year trying to arrange cooking times in your oven, this may be the perfect solution for you to leave your dinner cooking away in your oven undisturbed! If you don't want to sacrifice any of your favorite desserts, get out your crockpot and re-create your old dessert recipes into new crockpot dessert recipes Who knows, you may end up with some new favorites this holiday season!

Simply delicious crockpot dessert recipes will get you hooked once and for all on crockpot cooking! This holiday season is the perfect time to take advantage of all your crock pot has to offer.]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/319464/430/Turn-Your-Favorite-Dessert-Recipes-Into-Your-New-Favorite-Crockpot-Dessert-Recipes.html http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/314898/430/Is-It-Time-For-You-To-Start-Cooking-With-A-Crock-Pot.html
Cooking with a crock pot, or slow cooker, is said to save time and money Is there really any truth to this assumption?

Save Time With a Crock Pot - Saving time with a "slow cooker" is not quite the oxymoron that it appears to be Yes, your meal will cook for a long time, but the time savings comes in the fact that you are not there to watch over it! You can go about your business and not even think about your meal for hours

Assuming that one person can take on the job of "chief cook and bottle washer" is simply not a reality in today's family No hot burners or open flames mean that you can safely ask your youngsters to help out in the kitchen, adding ingredients to the crock pot, washing vegetables, and the like Time you and you alone would have spent preparing your meal is no longer necessary Because everyone can help, you are now free to take care of something else!

A watched pot never boils, and this is never truer than when you're in a hurry to get dinner on the table If you don't have to stir a pot and watch it to make sure it stays on simmer, you can go about your business After the ingredients are in the crock pot, you are free to take care of what you need to the rest of the day Time spent over a hot stove is wasted time, indeed

You're on your way home after a hard day of work and errands, and realize that there is nothing in the house for dinner A quick stop at the grocery store is now on your agenda, and, of course, there is no such thing as a quick stop at the grocery store Half an hour later, you emerge with food you didn't want, too many prepared dishes that cost way too much, but you don't have time to fix anything else That stop just cost you an awful lot of precious time By planning your crock pot meals ahead and shopping at a scheduled time, you could avoid those hasty stops at the grocery store, or worse, the convenience store That time spent could be put to much better use, like sitting and enjoying your family at dinnertime!

Save Money With a Crock Pot - You've got to cook dinner anyway, so how can cooking in a crock pot save money? Food is food - it all costs the same, right? But, there are a couple ways that you can save money both in the grocery store and on your energy bill when you use a crock pot

You can now walk into your grocery store's meat department and skip right past the expensive cuts of meat A crock pot's magic is best illustrated in turning cheaper cuts of meat into tender, fall apart with a fork, meals Budget cuts of meat contain sinew and more connective tissue, which can be tough if not cooked properly A crock pot is the perfect environment for these budget cuts Cooked slowly, on a low temperature, in a moisture rich pot, breaks down this tough tissue and turns even the toughest cut into a tender, succulent morsel You can now buy pork shoulder, rump roasts, and briskets, and enjoy excellent results Also, soups and stews, the best budget-wise meals we know, are perfectly suited to crock pot cooking

If you consider your crock pot a "miniature oven", you're on your way to understanding why your crock pot will save money on your energy bill Given that an oven commits about 2500 watts to a meal, while a crock pot only commits about 200 watts, you can see where you would save energy Even if you consider that you'll be cooking a pot roast in a crock pot for twice as long as in the oven, you're still saving total energy used Your oven would use 10 kWh to cook a 3 hour pot roast, while your crock pot would use 1 2 kWh to cook the same pot roast for 6 hours Even roughly estimated, there's no denying the fact that your oven uses a whole lot more energy than your crock pot

You know what it's like when you're in the middle of running kids around and finally break down and call the hubby to pick up something for dinner You know it's going to be an expense that you really didn't have in the budget this week The evening rush is not the time to start thinking about dinner if you want to save money When you're out driving the kids between practices and lessons, your crock pot could be happily bubbling away at home on your kitchen counter Dinner is ready when you are, and no more money wasted on fast food stops!

Save Both Time and Money With a Crock Pot - Cooking larger portions, and planning for your leftovers, is one way to save both time and money With a large crock pot, a 6 quart size, you can cook larger cuts of meat, turn that meat into several dinners, then package up the leftovers for lunches By cooking one large meal, you have now created several dinners plus lunches all in about the same time it takes to cook one meal Not only are you saving energy by cooking more than meal at a time, but you're saving the time it takes each day to put together a new meal Plus, if eating lunch out is a routine for you, just think of the money you'll be saving by bringing your own home-cooked meal to eat each day And, maybe instead of using your lunch hour to run out and get something to eat, you can use the extra time to do something you enjoy

I think these reasons for cooking with a crock pot will convince most folks that it just makes sense Using a crock pot does save time and money, yes, but above all it saves your sanity when you've got a busy family! That hectic "what's for dinner" cry when everyone finally comes through the door each night no longer has to overwhelm you - not when you've got dinner in the crock pot!

Get out your old slowcooker recipes, search for a few new recipes, and brush up on your slowcooker cooking methods! It's time to get started and get serious saving money with your slowcooker!]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/314898/430/Is-It-Time-For-You-To-Start-Cooking-With-A-Crock-Pot.html http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/312204/430/Perk-Up-Your-Old-Crockpot-Appetizer-Recipes-With-A-Few-Special-Surprises.html
With the holiday season quickly approaching, I'm guessing you have already pulled out some of your favorite appetizer recipes You know you love those mouth-watering little treats and you know that your guests love to nibble on appetizers as they mingle

Your holiday entertainment plans may include a sit down dinner, but if your guests are like mine, they still enjoy a few nibbles before dinner Serving a good variety of appetizers is one way to please everybody on your guest list But, it can be difficult coming up with new ideas, especially when we've grown to love our traditional snacks

Your crockpot has been your friend right along as you created your classic appetizers, so now it's time to put your crockpot to work once more as you improve on your favorite appetizer recipes Those meatballs, that cheese dip, and those little cocktail wienies are about to get bumped up a notch or two!

Cheese Dip: You can certainly make a simple little cheese dip that would be delicious, but, don't you want to make a dip that your guests will remember, and talk about, and ask you for the recipe? How about an Artichoke and Cheese dip? By adding some chopped artichoke hearts to your favorite cheese dip you've perked this appetizer up enough to make it memorable

Add other tasty and tangy ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, Dijon or other spicy mustard, some red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese to liven up this traditional dip Put your ingredients in the crockpot on low and cook for about 2 hours Keep it warm and serve alongside a basket of fresh crusty bread, crackers, or chips for dipping

Cocktail Sausages: Think way beyond those little wienies and serve up an easy, but fancy, batch of sweet and tangy Apple Sausage Appetizers instead Use any combination of ingredients such as brown sugar, honey, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard, then instead of adding Vienna Sausages, cut up some good apple smoked sausage, some tart apples like Granny Smith, and some sweet onion and add that to the crockpot

If your guests were expecting the standard cocktail wienie appetizer, they'll be pleasantly surprised when they bite into this sweet and spicy treat Combine the ingredients in your crockpot, set it on low heat, and let cook for about 2 hours Check to make sure the apples and onions are just cooked through but not turning to mush, then serve warm

Meatball Bites: Those little meatballs swimming around in barbecue sauce are tasty, but are they special enough for your holiday event? Go ahead and make your mini meatballs out of your favorite recipe, but when it comes to the sauce, it's time to do something special Beer is the ingredient that kicks this appetizer recipe up a couple pegs This Tangy Meatball Appetizer will have your guests wondering what makes the sauce so yummy Start by making your favorite meatball recipe, form the mini meatballs, then brown them in a heavy skillet with cooking oil Once they're brown, put them in your crock pot

In a bowl, create your sauce with beer, spicy tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and a little horseradish Add salt, pepper, onion, garlic, hot sauce, or other seasonings you like Pour the sauce over the meatballs and cook in your crockpot on low for about 2 to 3 hours or until the meatballs are cooked through Now your little meatball appetizer won't be like every other one on the block

Nutty Snacks: I always think some pretty bowls of assorted nuts placed on tables around the room is a nice touch But, instead of just dumping some mixed nuts in a bowl, why not cook up a batch to surprise your holiday guests? Because pecans are often associated with sweet snacks and desserts, these Cajun Style Pecans will be quite the surprise, indeed!

Choose the spices that you would normally associate with a good Cajun dish You'll probably want ground onion and garlic, of course, and cayenne pepper, chili powder, oregano, basil, and thyme Mix these together, then add to some melted butter and pecans in your crockpot Cover your crockpot and turn it to high for about 10 minutes, then uncover and turn to low Continue cooking on low, uncovered, for about 2 hours Stir the contents a few times to keep the pecans coated and toasting evenly After they're done cooking, just cool the pecans by spreading them on a baking sheet, rack, or paper towels

Why make the same crockpot appetizer recipes year after year after year? With just a few easy tweaks of your old recipes, you can create new versions of your favorite appetizers Get together with your crockpot this year to surprise your holiday guests!

Simply delicious holiday crock pot recipes for appetizers may be just what you need to make your meal special this year. Learning crockpot cooking methods to improve your family's favorite appetizer dishes is a great way to fall in love with your crockpot again!]]> http://www.articlegallery.net/Art/312204/430/Perk-Up-Your-Old-Crockpot-Appetizer-Recipes-With-A-Few-Special-Surprises.html