Slow-Cooking Love

Warning: The attached article contains material that may be inappropriate for those who actually like to labor over a hot stove after getting the kids off to school, putting in an eight-hour day at the office, and shuttling the kids to various after-school activities, while squeezing in doing the laundry, cleaning the house, taking care of an aging car, trying not to look like an utter frump and still feel at least a little teeny bit sexy.

Related: Why Are Moms Perfectionists?

I fell in love this summer. Seriously. It was unexpected and has changed my world. I thank my friend, Elaine, for introducing me to my new love: My amazing, high-end, shiny, brand new slow cooker. I’d always had slow-cooker fantasies. You know, coming home to mouth-watering wafts of rosemary, garlic, yummy stews after a long day at work. But I’d never gotten around to buying a slow cooker, and the fantasy was set on a dusty shelf in the deep recesses of my mind.

But when I was given a slow cooker as a housewarming gift by my friend, coinciding with my need to figure out how to have delicious, nutritious meals ready within an hour of my coming home with my children, the stars were indeed aligned, and it was time to turn fantasy into reality.

What I didn’t know about slow cookers is that cooking this way still requires some prep. Meats often need to be browned on the stove top, veggies need to be washed, chopped, and diced. But beyond that, once everything is in the cooker and the timer and temp are appropriately set, it does the rest. You are free, free, free to go to work, the gym, hike, nap, whatever. Five, six, eight, 10 hours later, you will return home to a cooked meal.

Related: 2 Gourmet Slow Cooker Recipes

But wait. This is what sealed the deal for me: When I made my first slow-cooked meal, not only was the dish done cooking when I trudged home, but the cooker had shifted to “warm” mode when the cooking was finished so that the meal was absolutely ready to be eaten the second we walk into the door. Now do you understand??? These are the benefits of slow-cooking:

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Read more: Basics, Family, Food, busy mom, crock pot, one-pot meals, slow cooker

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Emily B.

10:16AM PDT on Apr 5, 2011

I love the slow cooker and use it often, about 3 times a week. I found a brownie recipe using it online and tried them. They were great.

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Julia P.

4:57PM PST on Mar 1, 2011

Thanks, I agree slow cookers are great, another great kitchen gadget is a bread maker would not be without mine

Lynde T.

1:50PM PST on Feb 8, 2011

I have a smaller slow cooker. My husband and I bought it in a after Christmas sale a few years ago. My husband is a huge stew and chilli fan and it's wonderfully handy. Every Sunday I use it to make some sort of stew or soup for my husband's lunches for the week. He loves it! He gets a wonderful home-cooked meal at work and it's better for him and our pocket book then him getting takeout or fast-food everyday!

Eternal G.

5:40PM PST on Jan 31, 2011

Taste more delicious!

11:48AM PST on Jan 9, 2011

Thank you!

Louise F.

6:07AM PST on Jan 8, 2011

I had heard of slow cookers, but did not think it would suit me. After getting one though, I find myself loving my crock, I love experimenting with new ways of cooking.

Ann S.

6:53PM PST on Jan 5, 2011

Thank you

Jennifer M.

2:00PM PST on Jan 4, 2011

Love my Crock!

Barbara E.

6:15PM PST on Jan 3, 2011

thanx

Jacquelene S.

5:31PM PST on Jan 3, 2011

the best soups and stocks come from my slow cooker! Not to mention stews, braised ribs....the list goes on!