Brea Lucci ’13, Staff Writer

Crockpots, also known as slow cookers, are an easy way to make great food. A crockpot is a one-pot dish that makes it simple to cook and clean up.

Most crockpots have four cooking options: off, low, high, and warm. The difference between low and high is all about how long a cooking period you need.

Crockpots are perfect for students who are just learning how to cook and for those who are too busy to prepare a meal after a long day. One of my favorite recipes is beef stew in the crockpot, because it’s not only tasty, but budget-friendly. Beef tips are an affordable cut of meat and are perfect for when the cold weather rolls around.

Beef Stew

crockpot (2)

Ingredients

2 pounds of cubed beef stew tips
1/2 cups of red wine (I prefer merlot for whenever I cook)
1/2 cup of beef broth (I prefer Rachel Ray’s beef stock)
2 cans of Campbell’s mushroom soup
1 packet of Lipton Onion: Recipe Secrets
1 bag of frozen baby peas
2-3 large carrots, peel and cut
1 pound of small red potatoes (keep skin on), cut into fourths
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Directions: First make sure the crockpot is clean and then add the beef stew tips; which are pre-cut into cubes at most supermarkets. Add wine, beef broth, soup, lipton onion, salt, pepper and cut up carrots and potatoes. Everything goes in at once besides the baby peas, those cook very quickly and can be added during the last thirty minutes. Stir all the ingredients together and put the crockpot on low for six to eight hours. It is a great meal to prepare in the morning or afternoon that can be left alone and perfect for an easy dinner.

Places to Buy a Crockpot at College Price