Once the weather starts to cool down, the crock pot takes its place of honor again on  our kitchen counter.  This handy appliance allows me to throw in five or six ingredients in the morning, run out the door and have the wonderful aroma of a delicious meal wafting throughout the house upon return.....life is good! I've included a free recipe to get you started.

Crock Pot/Slow Cooker Basics:

• Buy one with a removable liner-they are much easier to clean
• Buy one with a programmable shutoff timer-this is invaluable for the times you're stuck and can't get home in time to turn off!
• Don't lift the lid to check frequently-this adds 20 minutes to the cooking time!
• Layer meat on the bottom and follow with the "softer" ingredients such as veggies and pasta.
• Do not put frozen food in the crock pot as it will not cook properly to the internal temp of 140 degrees to kill bacteria. For this same reason, never fill the pot more than 2/3 full.
• Trim fat from meat and skin chicken because the fat will melt with the slow cooking time and it results in an unpleasant texture.  Fatty foods also cook too quickly and this is not desirable in slow cooking.
• The beauty of the slow cooker is that you can use the inexpensive cuts of meat and they tenderize and get more flavorful in the slow cooker after 8-10 hours.
• Know that the "low" setting is about 200 degrees and the "high" setting is about 300 degrees.
• Add spices generally during the last hour or so of cooking as they loose their flavor over the long cooking time.
• A great meat tenderizer is "white" soda pop such as Sprite or 7-up. Add to the broth/liquid for the tougher cuts of meat (l can will do ya).

CHERRY CRISP

1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1/3 cup butter, softened

Lightly butter a 3 1/2-quart slow cooker/Crock Pot. Place cherry pie

filling in the slow cooker/Crock Pot. Combine dry ingredients and mix

well; cut in butter with a pastry cutter or fork. Sprinkle

crumbs over the cherry pie filling. Cook for 5 hours on low.

 I offer a best selling e-book in my store called "470 Crock Pot Recipes" that you might enjoy.  I hope you decide to simplify your busy life and to enjoy the benefits that a crock pot can offer. Visit me here  Good luck!!!

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