Many busy working mothers will argue that the slow-cooker is the best convenience appliance ever created, with only the microwave oven trailing in a close second place position. Created in 1971 by Rival, the slow-cooker or Crock-Pot, as it is also known, is still a very popular appliance in use in many modern kitchens.
Learning to cook with a slow-cooker is one of the best solutions for busy families who are looking for time-saving ways to have a healthy diet. "Cooks all day while the cooks away", was the advertising slogan for the Crock-Pot when it first arrived on the market in the 1970's. This was meant to appeal to the women of the feminist revolution era who were by increasing numbers leaving the role of homemaker and heading into the workforce.
Slow-cookers cook food over long periods of time at an even temperature. The result is always perfectly cooked meat, tender, moist vegetables and tasty sauces. Also, most slow-cookers have a five-quart cooking capacity, and as such, it can be used to to feed quite a crowd. Popular examples of slow-cooker meals are beef stew, pot roast, meatballs, and beans.
When preparing dishes that include both meat and vegetables, the vegetables should be placed in the ceramic pot first, and then topped with the meat. This will allow for the most even cooking as the vegetables will require more time to cook than the meat . The juices from meat will flow down and give the vegetables a superb flavor as they simmer at the bottom of the pot.
Nowadays, slow-cooker fans have been busy writing cookbooks and pushing the limits of what is believed to be typical Crock-Pot fare. Appetizers, main dishes, soups, stews, and even desserts are now categories where the slow-cooker has made it's debut. Slow-cookers are regularly used at casual gatherings to keep food warm with out any fuss. Here's a slow-cooker recipe that is great by itself as a party appetizer, or served as a dinner entree along with a fresh green salad and rice pilaf.
Caribbean Jerk Chicken Wings
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs. chicken wing drummettes
- 1 cup barbeque sauce
- 2 fresh jalapeno peppers
- 3 green onions
- 1 tbsp dark rum (optional)
- 2 tsp all-spice
- Clean and chop the jalapeno peppers. Chop the green onions.
- In a separate bowl, combing barbeque sauce, jalapeno peppers, green onions, rum and the all-spice. Mix the sauce well.
- Place the chicken drummettes into the slow-cooker and pour the sauce over the top. Cover and set the cooker on low. Cook the drummettes for 6 to 8 hours or until chicken is tender.
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