Hosting a Super Bowl party or contributing to a game day spread? Try these 4 crowd-pleasing recipes including Air Fryer Mozzarella Bites, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip, Air-Fried Chicken Wings, and Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Nachos. These easy, flavorful snacks are perfect for both experienced hosts and rookie chefs, and are packed with gooey cheeses, bold flavors, and bite-sized deliciousness.
To avoid tough and flavorless meat in your slow cooker, it's important to cook at a lower temperature and use tougher cuts of meat. Slow cooking helps break down connective tissues and results in tender meat. Defrosting meat before cooking is recommended to prevent longer cooking times and watery meals. Avoid constantly removing the lid as it prolongs cooking time.
Coating meat in flour before searing and simmering in a slow cooker is a traditional method believed to originate from France. However, the supposed benefits of flouring the meat are questionable. While some claim it adds flavor and thickens the sauce, experts argue that flouring the meat actually impedes proper browning and searing, resulting in a less flavorful dish. Additionally, using flour to thicken the sauce is imprecise and may require additional flour later on. The practice of searing meat in flour before stewing seems to be more rooted in tradition than actual cooking benefits.
Making homemade apple butter can be time-consuming, but using a slow cooker can make the process much easier. After peeling, coring, and slicing the apples, they are placed in the slow cooker with sugar and spices. The slow cooker is set to low and left to cook for 10 hours, then cooked uncovered for an additional 2 hours until thickened. The apple butter can be pureed or left chunky according to preference. This method allows for a hands-off approach, making it more convenient for busy schedules.