Fall Cooking Made Easy with Slow Cookers

This autumn, try hearty meals that don't require a full day prepping so you can spend more time enjoying the beautiful colours and warm temperatures. Perfect for those on the go, slow cooker dishes are a great time saver. Whether you're in the mood for chili, jambalaya, a roast or a casserole, pork is one of the best proteins for a slow cooker. The chefs at duBreton, producers of Certified Humane and organic pork, share tips for making every slow cooker recipe tender and tasty. (NC)

it's all in the cut

Choose a cut of meat that won't dry out during the long cooking process. Pork is one of the best types of meat to use in a slow cooker as it tenderizes throughout. Boneless pork shoulder roast is ideal for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth delight because of its high fat content. While meats with high fat content are easiest, leaner meats including tenderloin can be successfully cooked as long as they are well marinated to ensure they stay moist and tender.

prep it & forGet it

Simple to do first thing in the morning, prep and toss your desired ingredients into your slow cooker. Vegetables, spices and dried herbs will give your dish added flavour when paired with succulent cuts of meat like sausages, tenderloin, roast or ground pork. Once prepped, your one-pot wonder can simmer the day away.

slow & steady

People often wonder whether or not you can leave a slow cooker on all day — the answer is yes. Slow cookers are meant to cook a meal over an extended period of time while running on very low wattage, making them ideal for cooking meats, particularly pork. This cooking process allows for the meat to slowly self-baste, tenderize and marinate in the seasonings.