There are times you want to make a complicated meal; a gourmet meal; a meal to impress. And then there are times when you just want to make a great meal but you don’t have the time to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s when you turn to a slow cooker by Weston.
I’ve used slow cookers over the years and I’ve owned a couple of them. My first slow cooker was replaced when the handle broke. We were carrying a full crock of chili to a fall cleanup event and the handle just snapped. Chili went everywhere and the ceramic crock cracked. Then I recently replaced my second slow cooker with this new 8-quart slow cooker by Weston.
The first thing I noticed about Weston’s slow cooker was the lid. A rubber gasket surrounds the glass lid, providing a great seal between the lid and the crock. Previous slow cookers I’ve used had no seal like this. The lid also has a steam hole that allows steam to be released. I like this feature because the food doesn’t get steamed so much as cooked. Enough moisture remains in the crock during cook time to keep food from drying out, but it doesn’t become a sauna for the food either.
The first dish I made with the Weston slow cooker was Cowboy Beans. Ribs were in the smoker, cornbread was in the oven, and beans were the perfect addition to round out this meal. I started by sautéing onions and green peppers in a pan on the stove. I transferred the veggies to the slow cooker, added ham chunks from the previous evening’s supper, and incorporated the beans that had been soaking overnight. Some salt, black pepper, and a generous dash of cayenne pepper added the flavor I was looking for. Several hours of hands-free cooking later, our beans were ready for the table.
The slow cooker by Weston has a number of other features we like such as the “keep warm” setting and its Lid Latch strap for easy transport. The stoneware and the lid are both dishwasher safe.
The 8-quart slow cooker is large enough to cook a 7-pound chicken, beef or venison roast, or a big pot of baked beans. We’ve also made lamb stew, chili, and fauxtisserie chicken in it.
Weston slow cookers are also available in 5- and 7-quart sizes and for the outdoorsman, Weston offers Realtree Outfitters camo in addition to the standard black.
Consider upgrading your old slow cooker with one from Weston. Then on days you know will be busy, reach for the slow cooker, put your ingredients in it, and let Weston cook all day for you. This retails for $39.99 and can be ordered directly from Weston at www.westonsupply.com. While you’re there, check out the other great products they offer, including meat grinders, vacuum sealers, and a whole variety of cooking gadgets and accessories designed to help you create some impressive yet simple meals with the game of your choice.
