Healthy Eating - Kids Meals - Slow Cooked Meals All Kids Will Love

Slow cooked meals are an excellent choice for busy families with fussy kids to feed. Any meal where we consume the liquid the vegetables and meat was cooked in increases the level of nutrient we take in. When we boil or steam food much of the nutrient value is discarded in the water. Meals cooked in slow cookers, casseroles, Stews and Soups provide the added benefit of consuming the nutrient rich liquid.

Some nutritionists say the opposite is true because when food is overcooked the enzymes are broken down and nutrient value is lost. Considering alternative Fatty "Take Away" options for busy families with young children the Nutrient value comparatively is quiet high.

Hard vegetables such as carrots, broad beans, canned kidney beans, sweet potato, turnip and parsnip are ideal vegetables to use in a slow cooker, as the slow steady cooking process will leave them tender and more appetising. Softer vegetables can be added half way through cooking to reduce them breaking down too much.

Older meats such as Mutton or Tough cuts of beef can be good options to use in a slow cooker for similar reasons as mentioned above. The slow cooking process breaks down gristle and leaves the meat tender and flavoursome.

Many softer vegetables break down to almost unrecognisable portions in a slow cooked meal. This is a good way of using vegetables that kids often prefer not to eat.

In addition to traditional Stews, Soups and Casseroles, Slow cookers can be used to cook Roasts and can also be used to cook cakes, bread and deserts that all kids will enjoy.

An excellent slow cooked main meal that kids will love can be made by mixing:

300g diced beef (lean stewing or casserole steak is fine)
1 Cup chopped carrot
1 Cup chopped potato
1 Cup chopped celery
Half a cup chopped sweet potato
Half a cup chopped turnip
1 Large finely chopped onion
1 Cup peas
Half a teaspoon curry powder
Pinch of salt
Corn Flour
1 Cup of Water

Combine all ingredients except cornflour in a large slow cooker. Cook until meat is soft to the point it pulls apart easily. Mix cornflour with sufficient water to forma paste and add to pot. Cook for a further 30 to 45 minutes and serve with crusty bread drizzled with olive oil. Creamy mashed potato is also an ideal accompaniment to serve with this.

The above recipe is obviously just a basic option. You can include any and many variations to suit your families' individual tastes.

Any herbs should be added as a garnish or in the last hour of the cooking process.

Eric J Smith describes himself as being "Passionate about Organics". He is committed to Educating people on the importance reducing the chemical load on our bodies and the Environment. Eric is Married and has 2 Children. Eric and his wife Narelle represent Miessence Certified Organic Skin Care, Cosmetics, Home & Nutritional Products. www.buy-organic-products.com.

Tags : le creuset enameled cast iron 9 quart round french all clad stainless 12 quart stock pot calphalon tri ply stainless steel 13 piece

Slow Cooker Reviews - Best Slow Cooker, Cheap Crock Pot

It turns out the best slow cooker is also a cheap crock pot!

The clear winner across three categories, the best selling slow cooker, the best selling crock pot and the best selling programmable slow cooker; it was awarded 4 or more Stars by 85% of customer reviewers, and can be purchased online (free shipping included) at an affordable price!

Meat Casseroles

It has any note worthy unique features, it has self-operating cook and switch to warm mode, power interrupt protection, a clip-tight gasket lid (to avoid spills in on the upholstery on the way to the gathering), and a thermometer probe that enables you to cook your roast or formula until an exact climatic characteristic is reached and then the unit switches automatically to warm mode. You will never again have to worry about under done, unsafe or over cooked, dry, stringy meat - your roasts will be cooked to perfection every time and then kept warm until you are ready to carve. Plus you will never need to worry about your supper spoiling if you are later home than when the meal is due to cease cooking, with the cook and hold feature.

This favorite model is a 6 quart programmable slow cooker, which is a favorite size for both one person cooking and families. A 6 quart cooks up 9 servings of soup, chili or casserole style dishes, or one or two roast weighing up to 7 pounds together. The programmable part of this record means you agenda into the Led display how long you want the formula to cook for and then it cooks it and holds it in warm mode until you are ready to eat. Singles and smaller families enjoy the benefits of being able to have any meals worth cooked at once, with the left overs being icy for serving later - a smart use of electricity and a great time saver.

So if you lead a busy life an need to come home to the main part of the meal already done, and sometimes you can't certify you will be home exactly when you think you will, the cook and hold function will be an vital feature you will enjoy.

If you need to take hot food to pot luck dinners or for house holiday dinners, tail gating or to the football, the locking gasket lid will be a feature you need.

Do you house prefer to eat roast meats rather than casseroles? Cooking with this slow cooker in probe mode is going to cook the meat perfectly and then hold it on warm until you are ready to serve it. What a great feature!

Or maybe you live in an area that is prone to power fluctuations, in which case the power interruption protection offered with this model may give some peace of mind. The unit remembers its settings and returns to them if the power interruption is 5 seconds or less.

To find out which of the hundreds of slow cookers on the store today is the magnificent model I've reviewed, check out Slow Cooker Reviews here.

Slow Cooker Reviews - Best Slow Cooker, Cheap Crock Pot

Relate Link all clad copper core 3 quart saute with lid anolon advanced bronze 10 piece cookware set fagor 9 piece pressure canning set

Indian-Style Samosa Casserole With Potatoes, Onion, and Carrots

How about a spicy Indian casserole? A lot of Indian dishes are vegetarian, and those who like to keep it meatless will really enjoy the Samosa casserole. The elimination of meat from a casserole dish definitely does not mean bland. Vegetable casseroles can be equally filling and full of flavor. While this recipe utilizes puff pastry a traditional preparation of this vegetable dish would have flour, salt and oil combined, made into a ball and set aside.

For the filling, curry, mustard seeds, cumin, ginger and red pepper flakes are mixed together. Potatoes are then boiled and mashed. Carrots, onions and garlic are sauteed for a few minutes before the mustard seed mixture is added. These are then toasted for half a minute and incorporated with broth and peas. Next, the potatoes are folded into the vegetable and seasoning combination. The whole thing is seasoned with salt and pepper to taste and then distributed into an oven dish. The dough is rolled out and made to cover the filling.

Indian-Style Samosa Casserole with Potatoes, Onion, and Carrot

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Mustard Seed
1 teaspoon Curry Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/8 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
5 medium Potatoes peeled and quartered
1 medium White or Yellow Onion, diced
1 medium Carrot, diced
3 Garlic Cloves, minced or crushed
1 cup Frozen Peas, thawed
1 cup Vegetable Broth
Coarse Salt, to taste
Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste
1 Large Egg, beaten
1 Puff Pastry

Preparation

1. Add the mustard seeds, curry powder, ground ginger, ground cumin, and red pepper flakes to a small bowl. Stir to combine and set aside.
2. Add potatoes and enough water to cover them by one inch to a large saucepan or stockpot.
3. Add 1 tablespoon coarse salt to the water.
4. Boil 15-20 minutes or until fork tender. Remove potatoes and drain in colander.
5. Mash the potatoes roughly
6. Preheat oven to 350 F.
7. Add vegetable oil to large skillet Heat until hot over medium heat.
8. Saute diced onion, diced carrot and minced garlic until tender.
9. Move vegetables to the side and add seasoning mixture to the pan. Toast for so seconds, stirring lightly.
10. Stir in the peas and vegetable broth.
11. Fold in the roughly mashed potatoes.
12. Season the potato mixture with coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper.
13. Spoon the potato mixture into a pie pan.
14. Roll puff pastry dough out to 11-inch circle on floured surface.
15. Cover potato filling with pastry dough, press tight and crimp edges over pie pan to insure seal.
16. Cut several slits in pastry dough with sharp knife to allow steam to escape.
17. Brush dough with beaten egg.
18. Bake 45 minutes or until top is golden brown.
19. Remove from oven and cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Casseroles are true comfort food. We have put together a collection of delicious casserole recipes that will satisfy the hearty appetite; and that can be served for holidays, special occasions and everyday dining. Find the perfect casserole recipe from our growing selection of appetizers, side dishes, and entrees.

Tags : anolon advanced cookware set cuisinart multiclad pro stainless steel 12 piece

How Long to Cook Prime Rib - The Best of British Beef

The way to settle how long to cook prime rib for is always best judged by the internal temperature of the joint as it cooks. But the real task starts with selecting the best capability beef.

Selecting the best British Breeds of cattle

Meat Casseroles

Aberdeen Angus Hereford Galloway Welsh Black Aberdeen Angus is famed world wide for its capability and whether it is produced in Scotland or else where in the British Isles, it always gives great depth of flavor, character and mouth watering tenderness.

Find yourself a traditional butchers shop to buy your meat from or even great buy direct from the farm. Addition numbers of live stock farmers are now diversifying their operations and now supply their furnish direct to the consumer. Some how, meat always tastes great when you know where it has come from.

Choosing your Prime Rib from your Butcher or Farm

Select a larger piece that includes any ribs Ask your Butcher to Chine the joint To Chine your Rib joint, your butcher should cut over the base of the ribs with his saw about an inch above where the ribs join the back bone. The back bones and the yellow cartilage that is over the top of it can then be removed just leaving the meat neatly trimmed on the rib bones.

(I always ask to keep the back bones and I roast them in the same pan as the rib joint for extra stock for my gravy)

How to cook Prime Rib

Pre heat your oven to 180 centigrade which is 350 Fahrenheit - this will keep it a good crisp surface Use a good capability meat thermometer that remains in the joint throughout the cooking time Put half an inch of water in the bottom of your roasting pan to keep humidity up in the oven Baste the meat every 30 minutes with the juices from the roasting pan How long to cook prime rib - check your meat thermometer for the internal temperature

For Well Done - 65 to 70C that is 150 to 160F For Medium - 58 to 62C that is 140F approx For Rare - 48 to 54C that is 120 to 130F Most important is the time you give your prime rib to rest after it has come out of the oven and before you carve it. I always recommend at least 30 minutes and up to an hour is preferable. This enhances the tenderness and flavour in the prime rib joint. And do not be tempted to remove the thermometer or pierce the meat in any way until the end of this resting duration - to do so will allow vital liquids to fly from within.

How Long to Cook Prime Rib - The Best of British Beef

Relate Link anolon advanced bronze 12 inch covered anolon advanced 12 piece cookware set

Hamburger Hash Recipe

One of the most impressive aspects of the hamburger, an item regarded by many in its sole and iconic form, is that it offers a diverse and vast range of possible meal options, each with its own charms and tastes. One of the most popular ways of making a hamburger into something different is to find a hamburger hash recipe, a simple and yet very tasty way of making a full and hearty meal from a humble burger.

Most people buy the hamburger meat ground and lean - make sure you get the best possible ground beef that you can find, and knowing a good butcher can be a bonus here - and mash the potatoes fresh from the ground. This gives the best possible flavors, and the addition of onions is an essential part of making the hash what it is.

It is a great way of creating a very nice meal from simple ingredients, and clearly there are many ways of enhancing this simple and popular dish. One method of adding flavor is to top the hash with cheese - the choice of which is yours - and some people like to add a touch of garlic with the onions and a sprinkling of herbs. Basil, in particular, goes well with hamburger meat and gives that extra lift that can take a dish from being a good one to a special one.

Once you have found your standard hamburger hash recipe enhancing it to how you want it is a simple task. The ideas given here are just a few of those that are popular and you can easily think of others that are worth experimenting with. Serve your hamburger hash with a rich gravy - an essential touch that adds to the flavor - and you have what is possibly the most interesting hamburger meal you can imagine.

Best Burger Recipes is just that - a directory of hamburger recipes and a fun look at "burger culture", as well as an examination of beef substitutes like chicken, pork, salmon and vegetarian options.

Tags : all clad master chef 2 14 piece cookware set all clad master chef 2 6 quart saute pan