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Best Slow Cookers For All Types Of Needs

Crockpots/Slow Cookers make cooking for the family (or large crowds) SOOOO easy!  I recently upgraded my old crockpot  to a newer, smaller crockpot. But I didn’t have the heart to get rid of my old crockpot – it was old, but it still worked and it was HUGE!  So I decided to keep the old one for use to make big batches of soup, chili, and my crockpot Ropa Vieja.  I use my new, smaller crockpot for when I am just cooking for my immediate family.

So, how do you choose the best one for your needs?  Well, today I am featuring information from RealSimple Magazine. They provided a great round-up of top slow cookers; here are just a few suggestions on how to find a slow cooker that is right for you:

1. Will you be cooking mostly for a family of four or five, looking to have only a few leftovers?  Consider the compact, Crockpot 4 Quart Slow Cooker – it is oval, so it can hold a whole chicken, is simple to use, without too many bells and whistles, and the price point is very affordable!

Crock-Pot 4 Quart Slow Cooker - photo courtesy of RealSimple.com.
Crock-Pot 4 Quart Slow Cooker – photo courtesy of RealSimple.com.

2. Do you want a larger slow cooker that provides plenty of room (great for ample leftovers or crowds!), is programmable, tells you how much time you have left, and then automatically switches to warm once the meal is done?  Then consider the Hamilton Beach Simplicity 6 Quart Slow Cooker.

Hamilton Beach Simplicity 6 Quart Slow Cooker - photo courtesy of RealSimple.com.
Hamilton Beach Simplicity 6 Quart Slow Cooker – photo courtesy of RealSimple.com.

3. Need a slow cooker for entertaining? One that keeps dips and desserts warm? Try the small, yet powerful, Proctor Silex 1.5 Quart Slow Cooker.

Proctor Silex 1.5 Quart Slow Cooker - photo courtesy of RealSimple.com
Proctor Silex 1.5 Quart Slow Cooker – photo courtesy of RealSimple.com

Click Here to see more of RealSimple Magazine’s round-up of top slow cookers!

Labor Day Grilling Without Breaking The Bank!

I am reposting this video because it is perfect to see again just before the Labor Day Weekend!  You don’t have to spend a lot of money to grill out this long weekend, just ask your local butcher! I had the opportunity to visit with Mike, the meat manager of my local Publix, about how to save a little money without sacrificing flavor when it comes to steaks.

Mike was so excited to share what he knows about steaks and grilling!  He highly encourages anyone to visit their local butcher or meat manager to find out what they recommend for steaks or any other types of meats or fish.  They can “steer” you in the right direction! (Pun intended!)

Here are Mike’s top  recommended cuts of beef as alternatives to more expensive cuts for grilling:

Flat Iron Steak (Also known as Hanger Steak) – This was the top choice of our Meat Expert. He noted that this cut of beef is starting to trend across the country. Great to marinate and grill.

Shoulder Tender Medallions – This was the runner-up to the Flat Iron as a favorite of our Meat Expert. Marinate overnight and grill.

Chuck Eye Steak  – According to our Meat Expert, this cut of beef doesn’t even need to be marinated.  It is a cut that is right next to the Ribeye, so flavor is all there.

Shoulder Steak – Great to marinate and grill.

Shoulder London Broil – The original London Broil cut. Marinate and Grill

Bottom Sirloin Steak Rolls– Marinate and grill.

Chuck Steak (Boneless) – Marinate and grill.

 

For great marinade recipes (including Mike’s Simple Marinade) for beef, fish and poultry, Click Here.

Simple Tip: Stretch Your Grocery Dollar

beefWe love tacos in our house, and I like to make large batches of the meat mixture so we can have leftovers through the week. But it can get expensive!  Try this simple tip to stretch your grocery dollar:

When making taco meat, add a one pound can of rinsed and drained black beans to every one pound of meat.  The beans are a very low fat protein that goes great with the meat and spice mixture.  Just be sure to double the spices!

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