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HINTS AND TIPS
PASTA AND RICE
• For best rice results, use long grain converted rice or a specialty rice as the recipe suggests. If the
rice is not cooked completely after the suggested time, add an extra 1 to 1½ cups of liquid per cup
of cooked rice and continue cooking for 20 to 30 minutes.
• For best pasta results, first partially cook the pasta in a pot of boiling water until just tender. Add
the pasta to the Calphalon® Digital Sauté Slow Cooker during the last 30 minutes of cook time.
BEANS
• Beans must be softened completely before combining with sugar and/or acidic foods. Sugar and
acid have a hardening effect on beans and will prevent softening.
• Dried beans, especially red kidney beans, should be boiled before adding to a recipe.
• Fully cooked canned beans may be used as a substitute for dried beans.
VEGETABLES
• Many vegetables benefit from slow cooking and are able to develop their full flavor. They tend not
to overcook in your slow cooker as they might in your oven or on your stovetop.
• When cooking recipes with vegetables and meat, place vegetables in slow cooker before meat.
Vegetables usually cook slower than meat in the slow cooker.
• Place vegetables near the sides or bottom of the Cooking Pot to facilitate cooking.
HERBS AND SPICES
• Fresh herbs add flavor and color, but should be added at the end of the cooking cycle as the flavor
will dissipate over long cook times.
• Ground and/or dried herbs and spices work well in slow cooking and may be added at the
beginning.
• The flavor power of all herbs and spices can vary greatly depending on their particular strength and
shelf life. Use herbs sparingly, taste at end of cook cycle and adjust seasonings just before serving.
MILK
• Milk, cream, and sour cream break down during extended cooking. When possible, add during the
last 15 to 30 minutes of cooking.
• Condensed soups may be substituted for milk and can cook for extended times.
SOUPS
• Some soup recipes call for large amounts of water. Add other soup ingredients to the slow cooker
first then add water only to cover. If thinner soup is desired, add more liquid at serving time.
