Episode 157 Slow Hands-off Cooking for the Fall

 In Podcast

November is here and it is finally getting chilly here in Kansas. That means my brain automatically goes to a different kind of cooking than in the summer. I start to crave slow roasted meats and stews. I think about soups and slow cooker meals.

What is great about these kinds of meals is that while the cooking takes a long time, it is all hands-off. I can put something in the oven or slow cooker and leave the kitchen for a few hours.

When planning for these kinds of meals there are some prep things you want to consider.

  • Make sure to give plenty of time for meats to thaw in the refrigerator. Large roasts and whole chickens need at least two days to thaw.
  • Think about salting meat at least 1 day, but up to 3 days ahead of time. Salt + Time + Magic for Meats!

Slow cooker meals are great this time of year too. There are some things to keep in mind for great slow cooker meals.

  • Most slow cooker meals only take 3-5 hours. If you are putting food in your slow cooker in the morning and expecting dinner at 5 you will likely have over-cooked food.
  • It is not safe to put frozen meat in the slow cooker. It sits too long in the 40-140 degree danger zone where bacteria multiplies. (Use your Instant Pot for frozen meat.)
  • Check out Thriving Home for great slow cooker recipes. 

Homemade bone broth makes the best soups.

  • Roast your bones before making broth in a 450 degree oven until they are starting to brown. This will give you a much richer tasting broth.
  • You can make bone broth in the slow cooker, the oven, or on the stove.

Sweating veggies gives you amazing flavor for soups.

  • Slowly cook cut up carrots, celery and onion in a covered skillet.
  • Use a little oil and a little salt.
  • You don’t want the veggies to brown, you just want them to release their water and cook slowly to concentrate their flavor.

Links from this episode:

Episode 53 Let’s Talk About Turkey

Episode 101 Does Your Family Like Soup?

Thriving Home 1 Hour Freezer Prep Sessions  Use Code Marie20

Roast Chicken

Chicken Broth

Beef Broth

French Dip Sandwiches

Slow cooker BBQ Beef

Baked Beans

This post contains affiliate links.

Marie Fiebach is a married mother of four active kids. She helps busy families plan and execute weeknight dinner so they can recapture a little calm in the crazy. Check out her YouTube Channel or listen to the Feed Your Family Tonight Podcast.

For a transcript click here.

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