Slow Cooker (Crock-Pot) Chicken

I don't yet own a slow cooker, but I'm definitely in the market for one.  I remember when slow cookers first gained popularity in the 1970's.  It seems as though they're having a resurgence now, along with fishnet stockings and Marimekko prints.   Unlike the pantyhose and print fashions, this trend will catch me on the second go-round. 

For my first lesson in how to use a slow cooker, I turned to my fellow writer/blogger Briana.  Her website 20andEngaged is full of great advice  - and not just for those starting out in the working world or marriage.  I particularly liked Briana's use of the slow cooker as an alternative to eating out.  Her guestpost (below) definitely makes slow cooking seem as simple as could be.  (It turns out that the term Crock-Pot, which I thought was the term for the appliance, is really the brand name for the slow cooker that poularized the cooking method in the 1970's and is still around today.)  Do you use a slow cooker?  What type do you have and what do you make with yours?  

Briana's Slow Cooker (Crock-Pot) Chicken

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Understanding Ground Beef Labels

When my son Liam first learned to cook, he sometimes gathered information on the fly.  One night he called and, without a greeting or pleasantries, asked “what is ground sirloin?”  It turned out he was standing in front of a meat counter, trying to decide which package of meat to buy to make a hamburger for dinner.  Once I understood where he was and the dish he was preparing, we talked through his options and he found the right kind of chopped meat for his burger.  I’m sympathetic to his plight and was delighted that he knew enough to ask for guidance.  I find meat labels confusing too. 

FAQs to help us through the maze of ground beef labels. 

What is the difference between ground beef and ground hamburger?

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Turkey Tips Let You Enjoy Leftovers

I'm going to take a break from blogging tomorrow to be with my family. Before I do, here are a few tips for handling your turkey at dinner and when you're putting it away for leftovers:

• When you take the turkey out of the oven, if it is stuffed, immediately remove the stuffing from the inside of the bird and put it in a bowl to serve it.


• Put cooked turkey (or other cooked meat) in the refrigerator within 2 hours of taking it out of the oven. If you carve the turkey and then have a leisurely dinner, put the turkey away soon after you serve it. Don't let the meat sit out while you linger over dessert.


• Cut the turkey off the bone, or at least take any uneaten wings and legs off the main part of the bird, when you store the pieces.


• Wrap leftovers in airtight plastic wrap or foil or store them in airtight containers before refrigerating or freezing them.

For more tips, check out these Foodsafety and USDA pages.

Enjoy your holiday dinner and those with whom you will share it. If you have a job and are lucky enough to have a holiday dinner, consider making a donation today to a foodbank or another organization that serves those less fortunate.