By: Debbie O’Brien
The Crock-Pot began where Dutch ovens left off. Who wants to pay for the electric to run an oven all day while they’re at work? Plus, I’m not comfortable leaving a hot oven unattended. Now that it’s summer time, I don’t like coming home to a hot kitchen, either. Honestly, the kitchen has never been my ideal environment.
Fruit salad and raspberry lemonade all summer would be fine with me, but I fear that eventually my family would rise up and have me for dinner! Luckily for all of us, my mother got me a 7-Quart Crock-Pot Slow Cooker for my birthday last year.
When I first took it out of the box I thought, “How in the world am I ever going to put enough food in this thing to fill it?” The 7-quart stoneware can hold an entire seven pound roast and any potatoes, carrots and other vegetables I decide to put in later. The meat comes out juicy and tender every time. I just make sure I add a little bouillon or a can of meat or vegetable stock and the Crock-Pot does the rest.
It’s easy to use and even easier to clean. The stoneware crock, as in the short version of the British term for dishes –crockery — lifts out and can be washed in the dishwasher and so can the lid. The heating unit just needs wiping off with a soapy dish cloth. I’ve left the leftovers in the stoneware, kept it in the refrigerator and then reheated the whole thing in the Crock-Pot heating unit. It’s easy to transport and set-up at a pot-luck or a family event.
- Black Berry Cobbler Cooked in the Crock-Pot
The owner’s manual has some great recipes in it like Beef Bourguignon, Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken, and Easy Healthy Fish Filet. When I say great recipes, I mean EASY recipes. An added benefit since I started using my Crock-Pot: my two sons are eating a lot more vegetables than they ever did and enjoying them much more. Another plus: we don’t eat as much fast food anymore.
Features and High Points:
- Will fit a 7 lb. roast with vegetables
- Manual control has a Low, High and Warm setting
- Removable stoneware and lid are dishwasher proof
- Inexpensive cuts of meat are tender and juicy
- Save money by eating at home more often
Starting around $39.99, there are other Manual 7-Quart Crock-Pot Slow Cooker available, besides the model #5070TC-VG.