Many people have come across this confusion of opting for a Crock-pot style cooker or a plain slow cooker. Both, the Crock-Pots and slow cookers use steam to cook food over a long period and both produce the same delicious results. In fact, they are even used to cook the same style of meals. Be it vegetables or be it meat of any kind.
Then what sets them apart? Well the answer is simple, it is the material and the appearance of the cookers that sets them apart.
Crock-Pot
A Crock-Pot is a type of slow cooker. Introduced in the early 1970’s, it was originally marketed as a bean cooker. Over a period of time, it evolved into the model we are all familiar with today.
Crock-Pot cookers have a ceramic or porcelain pot that is set inside a heating unit. They are heated from the bottom as well as around the sides of the pot. You can choose from round to oval designs and they come in various sizes.
Another aspect that sets them apart from the conventional slow cookers is that, Crock-Pots is the heat settings. They have just two heat settings -LOW wattage, which cooks food at roughly 70 degree Celsius and HIGH wattage which cooks food at 90 degree Celsius. Crock-Pot cookers cook continuously. Some models also have a timer to allow cooking for a specific amount of time.
Slow cookers
Slow cookers are cooking appliances used to simmer food at a lower temperature than other cooking methods, such as baking, boiling, and frying. Slow cookers allow unattended cooking for long hours. They can be used to make a variety of dishes including ones that are made out of cocoa and bread. Not all slow cookers are Crock-Pots. Slow cookers have some distinct characteristics that you may not find in Crock-pots.
Slow cooker refers simply to the appliance. Some of them have a metallic body that sits on a heating unit. Since the pot is heated from bottom, the heat is concentrated at the bottom rather than on the walls of the pot.
Food may cook slower as compared to when cooked in a Crock-Pot and it may have greater chance of scorching on the bottom because of the nature of the material. Thus, the food must be stirred more often in slow cooker. This requires the lid to be opened more frequently which releases more heat and extends the cooking time.
slow cookers usually have heat settings that are more than just low, high, and warm. Most slow cookers have a range of five heat settings. Slow cookers, since bottom heated, work in cycles, are powered on and off during cooking. Some models also have a timer to allow cooking for a specific amount of time.
We are a coffee-drinking nation and every form of the beverage – decaf, regular, expresso, latte, cappuccino, macchiato and ristretto is consumed everyday by millions of us. It’s the first thing we need in the morning and the last (for some) after dessert. Black, with cream, with sugar, no sugar, flavored, each of us has a preference with regard to strength. Nespresso’s taken heed of this and given us a gift in a pod with the Nespresso capsules. Available in the regular Arabica and Robusta capsules, they have some amazing seasonal flavors as well.
Nespresso capsules are hermetically sealed in a capsule that holds 5-7 gms of coffee – enough for one serving of coffee. They offer five ranges in Ristretto (25ml), Espresso (40 ml), Lungo (110 ml), Decaffeinated (40 ml and 110 ml) or Flavored (40 ml).
The variations in Nespresso coffee capsules Ristretto range are:
Ristretto Origin – Made from South and Central American Arabicas, it has toasted flavors with cocoa notes and woody undertones.
Ristretto Origin India – A blend of the finest Arabicas with a smidgen of Robusta from Southern India, this full-bodied coffee has hints of spices.
Ristretto Intenso – A strong blend of South and Central American Robustas and Arabicas, the Ristretto Intenso is a full-bodied coffee with a creamy texture and peppery notes.
The variations in Nespresso coffee capsules Espresso range are:
Espresso Origin Brazil: A pure Arabica coffee, it has a mild sweet flavor.
Espresso Leggero: A blend of South American Arabicas and Robusta, it has smooth notes of cocoa and cereal.
Espresso Forte: Exclusively made from South and Central American Arabicas, it has an intensely roasted balance of espresso and fruity notes.
The variations of Nespresso coffee capsules Lungo range are:
Lungo Leggero: Lightly roasted East African, South and Central American Arabicas, with mild notes of jasmine is what makes up this delicious brew.
Lungo Forte: A complex mix of South and Central American Arabicas, this coffee has heavy roasted notes with a slight hint of fruit.
Lungo Origin Guatemala: A mix of Arabica and washed Gourmet Robusta coffee, Lungo Origin Guatemala is smooth and well balanced with dry and malty cereal notes.
The variations of Nespresso coffee capsules in the Decaffeinated range are:
Espresso Decaffeinato: Dark roasted South American Arabicas with a touch of Robusta enhances the cocoa flavors and roasted cereal undertones of this decaffeinated espresso.
Lungo Decaffeinato: This is a slightly more complex blend of separately roasted South American and East African Arabicas. It includes toasted cereal and sweet notes with subtle and floral hints of East African Arabicas.
The variations of Nespresso coffee capsules Flavored range are:
Espresso Vanilla: This silky-flavored coffee is the result of a base of Espresso Forte, which is a complex and heavily-roasted blend of South and Central American Arabicas and a slightly caramelized aroma of vanilla. Espresso Caramel: On a base of Espresso Forte, this complex and intensely roasted blend made from South and Central American Arabicas has the sweetness of caramel.
Here are a few easy and healthy recipe ideas that are both quick to make and light to digest on hot summer days. With very few ingredients, the preparation of these recipes is a breeze. So go on, enjoy these easy, healthy recipes that are brimming with nutrition and taste heavenly too!
Greek Cucumber Rolls
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Directions
This is popular among easy and healthy recipes. Slice cucumber into thin flat strips using a vegetable peeler and arrange them in slices of two on a clean tray. Smear the hummus on top of each slice, then toss some feta cheese, black olives and cut tomatoes on each of the cucumber strips. Squeeze a little lemon juice and sprinkle some finely chopped dill and cilantro. Finally, roll the strips, serve the Greek cucumber rolls and see them being gobbled up by the young and old alike!
Flavorful fettuccine pasta with vegetables
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Directions
Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the directions on the label. In a thick bottomed pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped garlic and shallots. After about a minute or so, add the other vegetables along with salt and toss them gently for a few minutes. The vegetables must cook and be crunchy at the same time. When they are done, add the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and some freshly ground black pepper to it and mix well. Serve this flavorful fettuccine pasta with vegetables for lunch or dinner as a filling, yet light meal.
Sunshine juice
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Direction
Squeeze juice from the oranges and blend the strawberries in a juicer. Then in a pitcher, take the orange juice, strawberry juice, and chilled water together and mix well. Refresh yourself with this yummy sunshine juice with ice cubes on a hot day.