Reach for the slow cooker for a dinnertime fix

I like to think I'm the kind of person who can admit to being wrong. For instance, the perm I got in high school that made my head look like a giant Brillo pad. Wrong. Or the time I told a prospective employer I could program computers, assuming I could fake it until I actually figured it out. Really wrong. Or when I re-gifted the slow cooker someone gave my husband and me for our wedding, thinking I'd never use it. Wrong again, although it took me a long time to discover it.

Most of us who grew up in the '70s remember our parents' Crock-Pot, the iconic brand of slow cooker that introduced many households to the wonders of "fix it and forget it" cuisine. What could be better than plopping a handful of ingredients into a small appliance, going to work and having dinner ready when you get home? Nothing, until the '80s came along and many of us were ditching our green and gold Crock-Pots in favor of those newfangled microwave ovens.

Like most things in life, what goes around comes around, and the slow cooker came back with a vengeance by the early 2000s, when more than 80 percent of U.S. households owned one (and a lot of manufacturers produced them). Why? Perhaps it's because that's when eating in became more the norm again and people still had to deal with the logistics of working and cooking. Once more, slow cookers seemed like a good solution to a challenging problem. I now find myself turning to it often when cooking for my own family.

One reason I pull out my slow cooker on a regular basis is my personal affinity for the cooking method behind the appliance. Moist-heat cooking, which includes braising and stewing, is the slow cooker's modus operandi and it can make you look like a rock star. These techniques are typically used on meats and other types of foods that are inexpensive and not naturally tender. The heat and moisture breaks down the fibers and renders the food fork-tender and the liquid that surrounds it ultra-flavorful.

Another reason I turn to the slow cooker? I can use it while I'm at work. I can use it while I'm running errands. I can even use it while I'm asleep, and I wake up to the most incredibly fragrant house. Then I feel like I've been working hard all night.

Few kitchen appliances ask so little and deliver so much.

Meredith Deeds is a cookbook author and food writer from Edina. Reach her at meredith@meredithdeeds.com. Follow her on Twitter: @meredithdeeds.

Note: Cooking this classic Italian meat sauce in a slow cooker gives it a melt-in-your-mouth consistency that is just right for pappardelle pasta, fettuccine or layered in your favorite lasagna. Pancetta, also known as Italian bacon, can be found in the deli section of the supermarket.. From Meredith Deeds.

• 2 tbsp. olive oil

• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter

• 1 1/2 lb. ground beef

• 1 lb. ground pork

• 2 medium onions, finely chopped

• 2 ribs celery, finely chopped

• 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped

• 5 garlic cloves, chopped

• 1 1/2 tsp. salt

• 3 tbsp. tomato paste

• 1 c. whole milk

• 1 c. dry white wine

• 2 (28-oz.) cans whole peeled tomatoes, drained, juices reserved

• 2 bay leaves

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add pork, beef and pancetta and brown over high heat, stirring and breaking up the meat with the back of a wooden spoon for about 10 minutes.

Add the onion, celery, carrot, garlic, salt and pepper, and sauté until vegetables are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for another 5 minutes or until the paste is a rusty brown color. Add the milk and simmer until almost dry, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and simmer for another 10 minutes or until the wine evaporates. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker.

Add the tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go, and the whole bay leaves. The mixture should be thick and saucy, but not dry. Add some of the reserved tomato juices if necessary.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours.

In the last half-hour of cooking, check the sauce. If it looks soupy, remove the lid to allow any excess liquid to evaporate and reduce the sauce. If it looks a little dry, stir in some of the reserved tomato juices. The finished sauce should be thick and creamy. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Calories280Fat21 gSodium440 mg

Carbohydrates8 gSaturated fat8 gCalcium79 mg

Protein17 gCholesterol65 mgDietary fiber3 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 vegetable, 2 medium-fat meat, 2 fat.

Makes 16 tacos.

Salsa:

• 2 small white onions, divided

• 2 poblano chiles

• 4 medium tomatillos, husks removed

• 3 garlic cloves

• 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice

• 1 tsp. salt

• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

• 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 16 warm corn tortillas

• 1 avocado, sliced

• Lime wedges

Directions

For the salsa: Preheat broiler to high and adjust broiler rack to 5 to 6 inches below the heating element. Cut 1 onion in half and place on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet with the chiles and tomatillos. Broil until vegetables brown in spots, about 5 minutes. Turn vegetables over, add the garlic cloves to the pan and broil until brown in spots, about 5 more minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove peel from the peppers (don't worry if you can't get it all off) and remove stems and seeds. Transfer vegetables to a food processor or blender with 1/2 cup cilantro and process on high speed until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons lime juice, salt and pepper and process briefly to combine.

For the chicken: Place the chicken in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the salsa and stir to combine. Cook for 4 hours on the high heat setting or 6 to 8 hours on the low heat setting, until the chicken is tender and easily shreds.

Pour cooking liquid into another container. Add the chicken back to the slow cooker. Add just enough cooking liquid to moisten the chicken. Cook for another 10 to 20 minutes on the high heat setting to rewarm.

Mince 1 onion and add to 1/2 cup cilantro in a bowl. Serve chicken with warm tortillas, onion and cilantro mixture, cheese, avocado and lime wedges.

Nutrition information per taco:

Calories164Fat6 gSodium260 mg

Carbohydrates14 gSaturated fat2 gCalcium58 mg

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 bread/starch, 2 lean meat.

Serves 8.

Note: Extremely flavorful, thick slabs of beef hold onto short, stout bones that are easily removed after a long bath in red wine and tomatoes has rendered the meat "fall-apart tender." Taking the time to thoroughly brown ribs before adding them to the slow cooker is the key to success. Serve simply, over mashed potatoes or noodles, or, better yet, over crispy potato cakes. From Meredith Deeds.

• 4 lb. beef short ribs, cut into 1-rib pieces

• 1 tsp. salt, divided

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 2 onions, thinly sliced

• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-in. slices on the diagonal

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 c. dry red wine

• 1 c. sour cream

• 2 tbsp. prepared horseradish

• 2 tbsp. finely chopped chives

Directions

Pat short ribs dry and season with half of the salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over moderately high heat. Working in 2 batches, brown the ribs on all sides, about 10 minutes a batch.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the sour cream and horseradish. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To serve, divide the short ribs among heated serving plates and place a dollop of horseradish sour cream on top. Garnish with a sprinkling of chives.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories290Fat20 gSodium420 mgSaturated fat8 g

Carbohydrates9 gCalcium93 mg

Diabetic exchanges per serving: ½ bread/starch, 2 medium-fat meat, 2 fat.

Serves 6.

Note: Fragrant spices will permeate your home as this hearty North African stew cooks away in your slow cooker. Serve over couscous with harissa, a paste made from hot chile peppers, found in the ethnic foods aisle of many grocery stores, or your favorite hot sauce on the side. From Meredith Deeds.

• 1 lb. dried chickpeas

• 2 tbsp. olive oil

• 1 1/2 tsp. ground coriander

• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

• 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric

• 1/4 tsp. cayenne

• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves

• 5 c. vegetable stock or broth

• 1 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2-in. chunks

• 1 small zucchini, cut into 2-in. rounds

• 3 small turnips, peeled and quartered

• 2 large carrots, trimmed and peeled and cut into 2-in. chunks

• 1 c. canned whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, reserving juice

• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

• 1 tbsp. peeled, chopped, fresh ginger

• 1/4 tsp. baking soda

• 1 tsp. salt

Rinse chickpeas and pick out any stones. Soak chickpeas overnight in cold water.

Drain chickpeas and place in a 6-quart slow cooker.

In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the paprika, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne and cloves and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, or until the spices are just fragrant. Be careful not to burn.

Add the spice mixture to slow cooker, along with the cinnamon sticks, stock, squash, zucchini, turnips, carrots, onion, tomatoes and juice, garlic, ginger and baking soda. Cook on high heat setting for 4 hours or 6 to 8 hours on the low heat setting or until the chickpeas are just tender. Add the salt and continue to cook for 20 to 30 minutes more, until the chickpeas are tender, but not mushy.

Nutrition information per serving:

Carbohydrates61 gCalcium160 mg

Protein16 gCholesterol0 mgDietary fiber17 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 4 bread/starch, ½ lean meat, 1 ½ fat.