January is National Slow Cooking Month

National Slow Cooking Month in January encourages and motivates us to make delicious gluten-free meals while maximizing our time by using our slow cookers. Nearly every family in the United States owns at least one slow cooker. 

Slow Cooker on counter.

Read More: We have some Gluten-Free Recipes for you here

Here’s A Little History For You!

Irving Naxon invented the slow cooker and applied for a patent in 1936. Eventually, he sold his patent to Rival, who later produced the famous Crock-Pot brand slow cooker. The low-temperature cooking unit made it possible to simmer foods at lower temperatures. Home cooks, over the years,  have developed recipes for every meal; breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. The slow cooker has an essential place on every kitchen counter. It is a timekeeper and a reminder of all our favorite celebrations and comfort foods, such as family gatherings, potluck dinners, Super-bowl parties, and the list goes on.

Close up of a slow cooker working on kitchen shelf

Vee Culinary wants to remind you to bring some warmth into the cold days of January. If it is not already out, pull out your slow cooker, keep warm and cozy while whipping up one of your favorite gluten-free slow cooker recipes.

What Color Is Your Slow Cooker?

Electric crock pot or slow cooker, isolated on white.

We should also mention that slow cookers have evolved into another kitchen and pantry staple… “fast cookers” such as .” We here at Vee Culinary also love our Insta-pots, and we use them all the time. 

Multi-Cookers, Crock-Pots and More…

Multi-cookers, Multi-function cookers, electric pressure cookers, etc. are often called “Insta-Pots;” however, we want you to know that that is a brand name that has become a household name for these kitchen cooking options, much like “crock pots” are used when referring to slow cookers.  These multi-function cookers or otherwise known as “electric pressure cookers,” work under the premise of creating heat under controlled circumstances as well as a tight seal, so the temperature is much higher than the boiling point of water, and the steam does not escape. If you don’t already have one and would like to know more about them before buying one, here is an article by NBCNews regarding everything you need to know about these great kitchen appliances.

And since we have just talked about National Slow Cooker month and Electric Multi-Cookers, we also want to celebrate something else, “National Soup Month,” because there is nothing better to create soups than with a slow cooker or an electric pressure cooker.

Try out one of our favorite Crock Pot and Instant-Pot Recipes

And then we have a great soup recipe here!

Then one of our favorite Vegetarian Soup Recipes

Many of our Vee Culinary Personal Chef clients loves the Boston Butt recipe. 

Also, the Boston Butt Roast recipe can be changed simply by changing the protein (even though the recipe calls for a “Boston Butt” (Pork) Roast), you can use beef, chicken, turkey, etc., as well as change up the vegetables. 

Also, depending on the size of your family and the size of your crockpot, you can have a meal that lasts 2 – 3 nights and have some to put into the freezer to pull out when you don’t have the time or energy to cook. This meal freezes beautifully.