So. With the kids back in school I've decided that I'm going to do more home, from scratch cooking. And Diana at Hormonal Imbalances has been talking about the beauty of crock pots for years. So I scoured Pinterest and cookbooks and found some that sounded amazing.
Ah-maz-ing.
This morning, before I even had the kids on the bus I had dinner out, prepped and in the crock pot. Honey Parmesan pork chops. I assembled all the needed ingredients then pushed little button that said, "High 6 hours." Not worried a bit that the recipe said, "Low 6 hours." Because 6 hours in a crock pot is 6 hours. Right?
Wrong. So very, very wrong.
My house smells wonderful, but the pork chops? Caked with the honey Parmesan sauce. The juice I was supposed to make a gravy with? Burnt and nasty.
The house smells amazing though. So there's that.
And I just ruined 3 center cut, thick pork chops.
Awesome.
So. Those of you who use crock pots -- what kind do you have? How many settings? I need some help here. This 'easy' way of cooking seems to be a little difficult for me!
I laughed so hard because I have done that!
ReplyDeleteThe best thing to do is to get to know your slow-cooker. The best (and easiest!) temperature test is to fill your slow-cooker 3/4 full with water and turn it on low. Come back 3-4 hours later and check the temp (no thermometer? just see if it's simmering or boiling. If it is, then you have a hot cooker. Start checking your food an hour sooner than the recommended cooking time). A low setting should run anywhere from 190 to 212 degrees.
And, most slow-cookers reach the same temperatures on the Low and High settings, the difference is how long it takes to get there.
So in the case of your pork chops, the High setting heated them up way too fast, causing the proteins in the meat to seize up and the sauce to evaporate and burn. Putting it on slow would be a gentle climb to correct temp and would cook the pork chops slowly and evenly.
Figuring out how your slow-cooker works is largely a trial and error process. I'm still getting to know mine (It's a Hamilton Beach 6-quart Stay or Go), and I've had it for 2 1/2 years.
Hope this helps! :)
I have a Hamilton 6 qt I thk and if it says 6 hrs in high it's 3 hrs (cut in half). But like others have said each pot is different. I had one yrs ago that was exact to each recipe
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!
ReplyDeletehmmmm, good to know!
ReplyDeleteI've totally burned crock pot meals before! Although my issue was not enough liquid. High and low are definitely different, but you know that now! Lol my pot only has 4 settings high 4 hrs/high 6 hrs and low 8 hrs/low 10 hours so if something calls for 6 hours on low I just pick the low 8 hrs setting and make sure I'm around to turn it off after 6.
ReplyDeleteMy friend had a genius idea and bought a lamp timer that plugs into the outlet so she can set the pot to go on several hours after she leaves for work. I've totally wanted to get one to have more control over cook times while I'm away
Ok, I'm done. Sorry for the uber long comment!
Oops! Double cut pork chops are so good too. I don't have a crock pot so I don't even know a thing about them.
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that! My crock pot runs hot so I always add extra liquid like chicken broth.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea if mine runs hot or not but I always use low unless I only have 2 or 3 hours until dinner, then I'll use high. But I prefer using low for 6 or 8 hours.
ReplyDeleteI need to use my crock pot more often -- it used to be that I'd set it before leaving for work on Friday (when Duffy spends the day working, as well) and then come home to yumminess.
ReplyDeleteBut, yeah, high and low are very, very different settings. My crock pot is oval (so that you can fit a whole chicken in it), and has "high," "low," and "keep warm," but doesn't have any electronic timers. So, if there is a recipe that calls for 4 hours on low? Well, I need to make sure someone is there 4 hours later or I'll end up with overcooked food that smells terrific.
I just have a regular old crockpot. But I cook everything on low. I don't trust high. Unless I'm RIGHT THERE.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Learning how to cook with a crock pot is one of the things I keep meaning to do, but never seem to get around to. Sorry about your pork chops. At least the house smells good though, right?
ReplyDeleteI have this one: http://www.costco.com/Crock-Pot%C2%AE-6-quart-Slow-Cooker-w-16-oz-Little-Dipper-%2526-Cookbook.product.100007450.html
ReplyDeleteI love it. Not that I haven't ever ruined a meal, but it was a High, Low, and Warm setting, and a timer. If a recipe says 4 hours on high, you can set it to four and it will click over to warm when the time is up.
I use the high setting a lot, because I tend to forget to thaw meat, and I find that the frozen meat cooks on time when I use the high setting :)