More than 25 years ago, 1971 to be exact, the first slow cookers were introduced by The Rival Company.

Designed to cook baked beans originally, the first brand of slow cooker, the Crock-Pot, became a common appliance in American homes. After a brief lapse in popularity, the slow cooker has once again become a useful tool in our kitchens.

Today approximately 83 percent of homes in America have a slow cooker.

No longer the harvest gold ceramic of your grandma, new slow cookers look like mini Hummers – sleek, with stainless steel and black, removable ceramic inserts and programmable timers. You can pick one up at Target for $25 to $40. But while the design and price may have been updated, the line from a 1976 advertisement still holds true today: “Crock Pot – It cooks all day while you’re away.”

If you’re wondering why you should consider a Crock Pot, I’m going to let you know. You just have to be patient, after all this is a slow cooker we’re talking about!

First of all, it is convenient. You put all the ingredients in the pot in the morning before you walk out to work and when you return, your home is filled with the smell and wonders of home cooking. No more stress of what to make for dinner after a long days’ work; instead it is ready whenever you are!

Second, the slow cooker is a recession buster! Less expensive cuts of meat work better in a slow cooker. The connective tissue in meat takes time to break down, the slow cooker will soften the toughest proteins without drying ’em out.

Finally, the evolution of the slow cooker recipe has exploded! No longer is it just the old classic soups and stews. Instead options include Cuban-style pork shoulder or delicious bread pudding.

With the Internet and newfound hipness of the slow cooker, you can get it hot, put the meat in, make love for eight hours and be moist when you’re done! What’s not to like my faithful readers? Now get your mind out of the gutter and get cooking!

I’ve adapted a recipe from www.a-crock-cook.com. This one uses beer and just might be the incentive some people need to try it at home!

salt and pepper

2fl oz (50 ml) milk

Preparation

1. Put the flour in a plastic bag and add the beef. Toss around until coated.

2. You could now brown the meat if you desire – however we did not have time.

3. Put the beef and onion in the crock pot.

4. Mix the other ingredients together and pour over the beef.

5. Cook on low for 8-10 hours

6. Sometime during this period make the dumplings.

7. Combine all the ingredients, with sufficient milk (may need slightly more or less) to make a soft dough.

8. Shape into four to six balls.

9. About 40 minutes prior to serving, put the dumplings in the crock pot.

10. Turn on high, replace lid. And enjoy in 30-40 minutes.

Notes

This is a delicious dish served with rice cous-cous. There is nothing wrong with having some left over for lunch later in the week. Next time make double the dumpling mix and make twice the number of dumplings.