Beans timed right for end of workday

By Betty Shimabukuro

~~<p>When it comes to Crock-Pot cooking, the holy grail is a dish that is at its prime after 10 hours of cooking, one that can be scooped directly onto dinner plates at the end of an eight-hour workday, plus commute.</p>
<p>It is this singular pursuit that leaves so many people dissatisfied with their slow-cookers. Truth is, most dishes are best with six to eight hours of cooking (less for chicken), with overcooking producing blah results. Plus, you'll be much happier with the finished product if you do a little bit of tweaking afterward (skim the fat, thicken the sauce, sometimes even broil the meat to give it some crusty chew).</p>
~~

When it comes to Crock-Pot cooking, the holy grail is a dish that is at its prime after 10 hours of cooking, one that can be scooped directly onto dinner plates at the end of an eight-hour workday, plus commute.

It is this singular pursuit that leaves so many people dissatisfied with their slow-cookers. Truth is, most dishes are best with six to eight hours of cooking (less for chicken), with overcooking producing blah results. Plus, you'll be much happier with the finished product if you do a little bit of tweaking afterward (skim the fat, thicken the sauce, sometimes even broil the meat to give it some crusty chew). Login for more...