If you are stumped about what to give for an upcoming wedding, you should consider a Rival 3 1/2 quart Crock-Pot. I should know. I got three of them. When I opened them I plastered that stupid, surprised smile on my face and said "Thank You SO Much!" at each of my bridal showers. All the while I was thinking, "Now what the heck am I going to do with this?" It is true, you certainly don't need three, but I now can't do without the one I didn't return. If you are a working mom, this little appliance is the lick!

Appearance
The 3 1/2-quart Rival Crock Pot comes in so many different designs that you could easily choose one to fit your kitchen's decorative motif. Mine has 2 solid color bands around the top and bottom (cream on beige) and flowers in the middle. It has a dial on the front with the settings Off, High and Low. In this metal canister sits the stoneware crock where you will actually put the food you want to slow cook. My stoneware crock is deep green and heavy as heck! I'd say it might weigh in close to 5 pounds! Doesn't sound like much until you consider that it is filled with food and steaming hot when you want to remove it. It also comes with a clear plastic lid designed for easier viewing of your slow cooking food. The metal canister that is actually the heat source has 2 plastic handles on the side that do not get hot and sits on plastic "feet" that serve as its base.

Usage
The crock-pot is simple, but does come with a few "guidelines" that you should take into account to have the optimal slow cook experience! One rule that threw me was slicing your vegetables thin and putting them on the bottom because in a crock-pot the meat cooks faster than the vegetables. You should also trim all of your meats of fat since it will just sit and cook in it all day if you do not. It's important to only use the amount of the liquid called for in a recipe, and no more, simply because all of the juices from the vegetables and meat will be retained and will produce "soupy" results if you aren't careful. It is also important to cook with the cover in place at all times. There is no need to open up and stir, as that lets out all of the retained heat of the product.

Cleaning
Aye, there's the rub. If there's anything that's troublesome about this modern wonder, it is the cleaning of the stoneware crock. First, never submerge the heating unit, which is the metal canister that the stoneware crock sits inside of, in water. Your crock is safe for the dishwasher, but it is quite large, so that may make putting it in your dishwasher quite inconvenient. You may also wash the stoneware crock in hot soapy water, but you should do it as soon as possible so the food does not cake on to make this nearly impossible! Remember, this food has been baking for 8 hours! Mine always gets a stubborn ring around the top. If you choose to hand wash, be sure to skip the abrasive cleaners and opt for a sponge, rag or rubber spatula if needed. If stubborn stains still remain, try a little vinegar. The outside metal canister can be cleaned with a dish cloth and soapy water. Be sure to wipe it dry after cleaning. You can put the plastic lid in the dishwasher on the top rack.

Care of the Stoneware Crock
Like any ceramic, the crock cannot withstand the shock of sudden temperature changes. While it is fine to add frozen vegetables or shrimp to a recipe, you should always cook a large frozen chicken or roast with at least 1 cup of liquid. If you have preheated the crock, do not add cold foods inside. You should not preheat the crock unless specified in the recipe. Lastly, the crock is oven-proof and microwave safe.

Recipe Booklet
If you find this all terribly overwhelming, don't. This appliance comes with a very handy booklet that gives you ideas on how to adjust your favorite recipes to the slow cooker. The meat comes out so tender, it nearly falls apart when you are getting it out of the slow cooker! One of my favorite time-saving tips is to buy a huge pack of boneless skinless chicken breasts and cook the whole thing in the crock pot. Then I shred and freeze them in 2 cup increments. That is the approximate amount of chicken all of my recipes for chicken casseroles call for, so it is perfect for those busy weekdays. Another simple recipe for a weeknight is to brown some ground beef with a little diced onion and add this along with a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce to the crock and cook all day. When you come home, boil your noodles, heat your bread and open a bag salad, and dinner is served! The booklet also includes several recipes for you to try that are specially for the crock pot.

This appliance is a must for working parents who are too tired to cook when they get home from a long day of shuffling the children back and forth to practices and working. Imagine walking in the door and smelling supper! It's so simple to use, and so easy to adapt recipes, it will quickly become a favorite method of cooking for anyone during the week.



Recommended: Yes