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Slow cookers are a everyone's best friend; simply add ingredients together in the morning, set it up, and by the time you come home a few hours later, dinner is ready!
The only skill one would need to get a slow-cooker dinner right would be the ability to chop veggies and meats and the ability to read a few instructions.
That, and you should be sure to never add these seven foods to your dish!
1. Couscous.
Couscous is a delightful addition to any dish, but if you put in a slow cooker all day, you'll find that it gets really mushy and unappetizing. If a recipe calls for it, or you would like to add it to the dish, cook it separately and add to the dish right before serving.
2. Milk.
As most of us know, milk can burn or curdle easily if not cooked properly. If the recipe calls for milk, add it towards the very end of the cook time to ensure it will maintain it's creamy texture!
3. Fat.
It's important to try to cut off any excess fat on the meat you may be adding to the slow cooker. That's because, as time goes on, the fat will actually increase the temperature and create inconsistent results.
4. Instant Rice.
If the name doesn't give anything away, instant rice is not meant to sit in a slow cooker for hours--it's meant to cook for a very short period of time. If you are adding rice, make sure to add whole grain or long grain rice to your slow cooker. You can always cook it separately and add it right before it's time to serve the dish, as well.
5. Pasta
It's always best to cook the pasta as the instructions indicate and add the cooked pasta in later. Sometimes, like with Macaroni and Cheese, you can cook the pasta for about five minutes and then add it to the slow cooker with other ingredients. You can also have the slow cooker on low all day, then add your pasta and turn the heat up to high for about 45 minutes to an hour.
6. Quick oats.
Similar to instant rice, quick oats are meant to be quick, which means that adding them to your slow cooker will get them extra mushy. Rolled regular oats or even steal cut oats are a good option.
7. Fish.
Fish simply does not have the ability to be cooked for long periods of time while still maintaining it's shape. Since it cooks so quickly, there's really no need to put it in a slow cooker.
What do you think of this list? Do you have anything to add? Let us know in the comments!
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