Episode 157 Slow Hands-off Cooking for the Fall
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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
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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.
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