Beef on a budget, the benefits of slow cooking

Slow cooking is a technique where the recipe calls for all the ingredients to be cooked for a longer duration. This ensures maximum flavor retention and is particularly effective for those cuts of meat, which are otherwise cooked in an oven or roasted on a grill. This technique mainly uses a liquid base, normally chicken stock and vegetable broth to tenderize the meat and make the flavors stand out. Slow cooking requires minimal supervision and reduces the risk of burning your ingredients. The main advantage is that the slow braise allows the flavors to develop over time.

Here are a few different recipes to make slow cooker pot roast on a tight budget.

Crockpot roast beef: The crock pot, an essential tool for creating some of the best slow cooker recipes also alternatively known as Crockpot recipes. Ingredients featured in this dish is the 2lb chuck roast beef cut, ideal for a slow braise. The liquid base can be chicken stock or also can be alternatively prepared using a beef bouillon cube mixed in hot water. Vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions absorb the liquid over the time of cooking and compliment the beef cut well. Garlic and other seasoning to top off the dish which can easily serve for a family of 4-6 members. The cost of all the ingredients combined will not go over $5 total.

Roasted chicken with garlic: Chicken is an all-time favorite. It is inexpensive, easy to prepare and does not require a lot of effort. This recipe does not call for more than three main ingredients to serve a wholesome family meal. Slow cooked in a chicken broth, with butter and minced garlic, seasoned with paprika, salt and pepper to be slowly cooked for 8 hours.

Vegetarian lasagna: Slow cooker recipes are not necessarily reserved for the meat eaters only. There are many vegetarian recipes which can also be prepared. The lasagna is a versatile dish, which combines veggies in between layers of pasta and slow cooked to retain maximum flavor. Veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, spinach, and many others chopped or diced complement the pasta well. Finally topped with delicious mozzarella cheese, this recipe can be prepared in a budget and is a pretty decent alternative to the oven baked lasagna.