We think today’s slow cookers are a great way to experiment with affordable, flavorful cuts of organic meat you might not ordinarily buy. Wondering what to do with a rump roast? Interested in cooking a delicious grass-fed skirt steak or flank steak without your grill? Slow cookers are an excellent tool for tenderizing tougher cuts of organic beef, lamb or pork. Other reasons for jumping on the slow-cooking trend include:

Convenience: If you’re willing to put in a little work in the morning, you can go to work, and come home to a home-cooked meal. And slow cooker recipes are often “meals in one” that don’t require lots of additional side dishes. One word of warning:  many slow-cooked meals actually require a little more attention than you might imagine. For example, you may need to brown the meat beforehand. And not every recipe is designed to conveniently coincide with an 8-hour workday.

The gadget factor: Let’s face it – it’s fun to have an excuse to buy a new toy for your kitchen. You can still find plenty of simple cookers like the original Crock-Pots of the 1970s, but now you can also opt for shiny new models with more bells and whistles. Today you can choose a programmable slow cooker such as the top-rated All-Clad programmable slow cooker, which lets you designate cooking times. Simple, no-frills slow cookers such as the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go are a much less expensive option that still gets the job done – though you may have to spend a little more time monitoring what you cook. For entertaining, there are models such as the Crock-Pot Trio Cook & Serve Buffet, which includes three slow cookers with individual heat settings.

Affordable meals: Many Americans are concerned about spending wisely these days. Slow cookers are a wonderful way to turn humble ingredients into a warm and welcoming meal.  Lentils and beans, rice, potatoes, noodles… some of the least expensive staples can transform with the addition of broth, spices, or wine. And a simple organic chicken or organic beef roast can gradually turn into a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meal.

Slow cookbooks & recipes

Here is a sampling of recently published cookbooks that you can use to make slow-cooked meals. Keep in mind that many traditional recipes can be adapted to slow cookers. And, if you don’t feel like investing in a new gadget, you can use your oven to make delicious meals with organic meats such as rump roast, too.

Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook

Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking

Slow Cooker: The Best Cookbook Ever with More Than 400 Easy-to-Make Recipes

Slow & Easy: Fast-Fix Recipes for Your Electric Slow Cooker

Organic Pot Roast

If you want to try something simple when you test drive your new slow cooker, here’s a recipe from Martha Stewart that requires only 15 minutes of prep time and makes a savory organic pot roast.

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cornstarch

8 medium carrots, cut into thirds

2 medium onions, each cut into 8 wedges

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 organic beef chuck roast (3 pounds), trimmed of excess fat

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions

In slow cooker, stir together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Add carrots and onions; season with salt and pepper, and toss. Sprinkle roast with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; place on top of vegetables, and drizzle with Worcestershire. Cover; cook on high, 6 hours (or on low, 10 hours). Transfer roast to a cutting board; thinly slice against the grain. Place vegetables in a serving dish; pour pan juices through a fine-mesh sieve, if desired. Serve roast with vegetables and pan juices.

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