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Zone 2 - Kitchen- Back to Basics From Leanne: The Crock PotDear Friends,We are back to basics this week in the kitchen. And one basic appliance I have esteemed above all, has been my beloved crockpot. In all my cooking years, I cannot tell you how many crock pots I have owned. I've owned big ones, small ones, ugly ones, cool looking ones, oval ones, tall onesÉgosh, you name it, I've owned it, including one with a timer on it (my current one) that I still haven't figured out. Crockpots have come a long way since being introduced in 1970. My first one was a wedding present I received in the late 70's. My first pot of split pea soup was made in that crockpot, as was chili, beef stew and anything else my little crockpot cookbook (included with the crockpot) taught me to make. I was a college student looking for ways to make dinner while I was gone all day in class, then later, went off to my job. I didn't own a car and bicycled to and fro from class to work and back home again. Life was complicated as a young married but I had one area under control and that was dinner! My crockpot even then, was my faithful companion. It was ugly (hideous avocado green and the insert didn't pull out), but it made me feel good about myself walking into my tiny apartment after a long day knowing dinner was under control. The relief of not having to tackle another thing was great! Thirty years later, I still love walking into my house after a hard day and smelling dinner cooking away in my crockpot. So what happens if you live in a place that doesn't have crockpots? Or if you don't yet own one? Well, what can I say? I think you should move and buy one, LOL! Listen, they are very inexpensiveÉyou can get one for well under twenty dollars and when you consider what a great return you get on your investment, this is one kitchen appliance you really do need. But if it really is impossible to own a crockpot at this stage of your culinary life, then here is a chart to help you navigate a crockpot recipe without the benefit of the crockpot itself: All crockpots or slow cookers are NOT created equal. The following is only a rule of thumb Ñyour mileage may vary. Conventional Cooking Time: 15 to 30 minutes Crockpot Cooking Time: 1.5 hours on HIGH - 4 to 8 hours on LOW Conventional Cooking Time: 30 to 40 minutes Crockpot Cooking Time: 3 to 4 hours on HIGH - 6 to 10 hours on LOW Conventional Cooking Time: 50 minutes to 3 hours Crockpot Cooking Time: 4 to 6 hours on HIGH - 8 to 18 hours on LOW Most stews, pot roasts and other uncooked meat/poultry and vegetable combinations will require at least 8 hours on LOW or 4 to 6 hours on HIGH. Remember I told you that I made my first pot of split pea soup in that crockpot? Here then is a recipe that is pretty close to what I made way back then and just as good! We don't have many cooler days left to enjoy split pea soup, so hurry up and get yourself a pot cooking now! London Fog Split Pea Soup Serves 4-6 2 cups split peas, rinsed and picked over 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 medium carrots, diced 1 large celery stalk and tops, chopped 1 teaspoon thyme 10 cups water 1 ham hock or ham bone leftover from Easter (or one smoked turkey leg) Salt and pepper to taste Place cleaned split peas in a slow cooker. In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Saute onion, carrot and celery for about 3 minutes, then add to slow cooker. Add thyme. Fill the slow cooker with the water, salt and pepper to taste, and bury the ham hock, ham bone or smoked turkey leg in the peas. Cook on low heat setting for 8 to 10 hours. Per serving: 326 Calories; 8g Fat; 20g Protein; 44g Carbohydrate; 18g Dietary Fiber; 18mg Cholesterol; 29mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 1/2 Grain (Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 1 Fat. SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve with a big green salad and some whole grain rolls for a satisfying meal. Love, Leanne ******************* Kelly here - We love all the great kitchen lessons that Leanne teaches us and for more fun basic instructions you should check out her latest book Saving Dinner Basics - go to http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_SD_basic.asp This book will explain that the kitchen is more than a room with large appliances in it. And that same kitchen is actually the heart of the home where you can make good smells coming from it at the appropriate meal-appointed times, just like your mom did. Cooking isn't brain surgery or even as complicated as removing a tricky splinter. With the simple explanations in this step-by-step, get-you-through-it guide, Saving Dinner Basics will help you get beyond the intimidation factor and cook with full confidence. [Home] [Join FlyLady] [Contact Us] [About FlyLady] [Privacy Statement] [Terms & Conditions] FlyLady.net "This is FlyLady's List that has grown by leaps and bounds..." Copyright 2001 - 2008 FlyLady and Company, Inc. 
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