One of the most versatile cooking appliances is a slow cooker, also known as a crockpot. You can throw almost any combination of ingredients into one and create a variety of different soups and stews. Cut up some vegetables, add some meat or chicken, throw in some spices, and add water for a low-calorie hot supper. Add potatoes or grain for more substance or use beans instead of meat for a vegetarian version. A higher proportion of water will produce a more soup-like dish.
Slow cookers are safe even when left unattended. You can put up the components in the morning before leaving the house, and come home after a long day at work to a meal that is ready to serve and eat.
A slow cooker is a staple item used in observant Jewish households. In honor of the Jewish Sabbath, no cooking is done from sundown on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. A traditional meal for the Sabbath day is hot Cholent or Hamin, made convenient in modern times by setting up the ingredients beforehand in a slow cooker. Customs vary, so Jews of Eastern European origin will have heavy meat, potatoes, beans, and barley version, with a dumpling-like addition. The Middle Eastern version is likely to be lighter and contain whole eggs in their shells that turn a rich brown color.
However you use your slow cooker, you can look forward to coming home to a fragrant aroma and a delicious meal that will warm up your insides and remind you of your grandma’s cooking!
