A few years ago, my salads pot would collect dust in my cupboard waiting for me to make chili or a pot roast. Now its a rare evening when you dont see it on my counter with the nights dinner in it.
I know that many of you can relate to what its like in my household from 4:00pm on. After getting 4 kids an after school snack, I am helping a 10 year old with homework, playing dominoes with twin 4 year olds, and chasing after a 2 year old. How on earth could I be expected to do all of this while preparing dinner and not be completely frazzled by the time we grilled beef down to eat? Finally I discovered the answer.
Now each morning I get up and, while drinking my coffee, decide whats for dinner that evening. I take meat out of the freezer to thaw in cold water in the sink, verify remaining ingredients, and play with my 2 year old. Then I leisurely take 10-15 minutes mid morning to throw ingredients into a pot and flip a switch.
I go about the rest of my day relaxed, knowing that dinner will be a cinch. corned beef enough, dinner time comes and all I need to do is spoon food onto some plates, sit down, and enjoy!
Reasons why crock pot cooking is virtually stress free:
-Clean up is easy; there arent numerous pots and pans to wash, just Recipe5 10924 stoneware pot and maybe a cutting board and knife.
-Minimal preparation is required; just a few minutes each morning.
-Its really halloween to overcook things in a crock pot. Plus, soups there are crock pots that will automatically switch to a keep warm setting once the cooking time is done.
-Crock pots are wonderful for cheaper cuts of meat. Cooking for a large family, Im conscientious of my grocery bill. Because crock pots cook meat over a long period of time at low heat, tougher cuts of meat turn out tender and juicy.
-Youre not feeding your family fast food or calling the stews delivery guy again; they are getting quality home cooked meals.
-Crock pot cooking is perfect for any type of mom. Those who work out of the office can quickly fix the meal in the morning or even prepare it the night before and refrigerate.
-Different people can eat at different times. Lets face it, with busy schedules many families cant eat together during the week. fruit salad dressing crock pot keeps the meal warm for your toddlers to eat at 5pm, your high school kids to eat at 8pm, and your husband to grab a 10pm snack.
So pull it out of your cupboard, dust it off, and enjoy the wonderful aromas that will fill your home as dinner draws near.
Natalie is a work at home mom who has gained renewed interest in crock pot cooking. For her crock pot recipes, a variety of other recipes, helpful hints, cooking tips, and much more visit http://www.natalies-recipes.com.
¶ 3:53 PM
