(Weight Watchers Friendly Crock Pot Cooking Day 152)
Today I’m sharing a practical crock pot tip instead of a recipe: four slow cooker seasonings that stand up to long simmering and can boost flavor without adding extra calories.
I often come across useful ideas and then forget where I saw them. To avoid losing good tips, I’m recording useful finds here so I can search for them later. One item that caught my eye in the January/February 2014 issue of Weight Watchers Magazine highlights seasonings that hold up well in the slow cooker. Using these can deepen flavor in long-cooked dishes without relying on high-calorie ingredients.
Four slow cooker seasonings that withstand long cooking:
Anchovies: Anchovies add deep, savory richness without an overt fishy taste. They work especially well in Italian sauces like bolognese and in beef or pork stews. They’re also a classic addition to Caesar dressing and pasta puttanesca, and they can enhance meat-based stews when used sparingly.
Garlic: Garlic mellows and becomes sweet with extended slow cooking. Use it freely in dishes such as chicken cacciatore, minestrone, and other Italian-style soups. Roasted garlic is a great way to introduce a rich, mellow garlic note to many slow cooker recipes.
Mustard: Mustard—especially a robust Dijon—adds tang and depth to braised meats, pot roasts, and stews. A spoonful can brighten the flavor profile of slow-cooked beef, lamb, or pork.
Strong spices: Many bold spices lose harshness and develop a rounded, mellow character when cooked for hours. Consider increasing most dried spices (with the exception of chiles and black pepper) when adapting recipes for the crock pot to compensate for the long, gentle cooking process.
Do you have a favorite seasoning or trick that improves your slow cooker meals? I’d love for you to share it in the comments.
If you liked this post about slow cooker seasonings you might also like:
How to Make Crock Pot Recipes with Short Cooking Times Work for You
How to Choose a Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Cooking for Weight Loss
*PointsPlus® for slow cooker seasonings calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Today’s food for thought…
“The mind is everything. What you think you become.”
~ Buddha
I’m a firm believer in the mind-body connection, a perspective reinforced by years of yoga practice. A positive mindset and consistent attitude make a big difference when losing weight and keeping it off. I try to align my thoughts, words, and actions. For example, when I enjoy rich dark chocolate, I focus on savoring it instead of judging myself, which helps me avoid self-defeating thoughts that can undermine the experience.
And a weight loss tip…
“Never eat in front of the TV.”
Research shows we tend to eat more when distracted by television. I’ve worked to break that habit—when I do eat while watching TV, I portion snacks into a bowl instead of eating from the package. Eating straight from a box while watching TV makes it easy to consume far more than intended and disconnect from the experience of eating.
Do you have a motivational quote or a practical weight-loss tip? Please leave it in the comments—I’d love to read it.