When grocery shopping I have noticed that we tend to be drawn to the leaner more common cuts of meat such as steak, ground meat and chicken breasts, as we generally know how to cook these and feel comfortable with them. However, I would like to challenge this concept and look at it another from another perspective. We tend to shy away from the cheaper and sometimes fattier cuts of meat thinking that they are harder to cook and have less flavour than the more common cuts mentioned above. So why don't we take a look at these cuts and how preparing them in a slow cooker, can be beneficial to you.
Generally speaking those tougher and more muscular cuts of meat are cheaper as they are not considered to be as lean as the other cuts we are more familiar with. These cheaper cuts come from near or round the joints and articulations of the animal, such as chicken chicken wings, chicken legs, beef brisket and park shoulder. However, due their slightly higher fats content, when cooked properly will be delicious. This is why using a slow cooker for these cuts is ideal.
We know the benefits of using a slow cooker with regards to practicality, however, when it comes to cooking those cheaper cuts of meat, using a slow cooker is an excellent option as it gives the meat time to absorb all the flavors and spices that we have used in the recipe. Cheaper cuts of meat tend to be chewier, so using a slow cooker gives the heat time to slowly break down those tougher cuts into truly delicious and mouth-watering meals, fit for a King! Another advantage is that slow cooker recipes are easy to prepare as they generally involve chopping and adding all ingredients at once and then letting everything cook over low heat for a long time. You can easily go about your day knowing that there's a delicious meal waiting for you. Another advantage is the cleanup is quick and easy. Why not try this slow cooker pork and cabbage stew.
When we purchase cuts such as drumsticks, chicken thighs, chicken wings, and whole chickens, instead of discarding the bones, these can be stored in the freezer until we have enough to make a bone broth. The health benefits of homemade bone broths are well known for their high nutrient content and anti-inflammatory factors which we can always benefit from. This simple recipe immunity boosting bone broth is easily made by adding the bones to your slow cooker as well as any leftover root vegetables, this will essentially give you a two-for-one deal, with so many health benefits for you and your family.
Susan is originally from Switzerland where she met her Canadian husband whilst working at a global agribusiness company in Geneva. She then studied at the University of Brighton (U.K.) where she received her Nursing Diploma. When their daughter was diagnosed as being gluten and dairy intolerant, Susan decided to take a new approach to health and trained as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, with the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, where she graduated in 2016.