I'm trying to move away from the cheaper and overly-processed meats that tend to creep into my diet. It's so much cheaper to buy some Buddig packets or a pound of ground mystery beef on sale, versus a whole cut of real meat. But I don't always have the time or wherewithal to do "real cooking." Thus: the slow cooker. 

 

The slow cooker (a.k.a. Crockpot, although that's a specific brand name) lets you easily prepare larger cuts of meat. Larger cuts of meat are frequently cheaper than the smaller portions, not just because you're buying in bulk, but because this is how you get some of the less desirable cuts. But the slow cooker can really make magic with this kind of meat, and it's so easy and delicious and so much better for you than a pile of ground beef! 

 

The best place to buy a slow cooker is the thrift store, where you can pick one up for a few dollars. Personally I have an irrational fear of house fires, so I insisted that I buy one new. For the princely sum of $15 I was able to buy a medium-sized (5 quart) bare bones slow cooker. Don't be fooled by the bells and whistles; you won't end up using them.

 

There are basically two ways to cook food in the slow cooker: wet and dry. 

 

"Dry" is a misnomer, since the moisture from the meat is what helps steam and break it down. This results in an incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone pile of meat. It works great for big things like a rump roast or a pork blade roast. 

 

For "wet" cooking, put in your meat, then smother it with a liquid. This can be canned tomatoes, salsa, cans of soup mix, wine, broth, or any combination. 

 

Other specialties of the slow cooker are soup and soup-like substances, such as spaghetti sauce.

 

Using a slow cooker couldn't be easier. Just add all the ingredients, then let it sit and quietly do its thing, usually for at least 6-8 hours or even longer. You can assemble everything in the crock the night before, put it in the fridge, then in the morning take it out and drop it in the cooker. Start things going, and by the time you get home from work, a delicious meal will be waiting for you!

 

Some great recipes to get you started: