A fine kettle

Isn't this a great example of a fine copper kettle? It once was the preferred method for many people to make apple butter, outside and over a roaring fire.

Despite its beauty and nostalgia, most home canners and cooks will never use a real copper kettle to make apple butter. A more likely choice is a slow cooker, one of my favorite and most often used kitchen appliances. It uses a tiny amount of electricity (comparable to a desk lamp) and it is nearly foolproof. For home cooks, it delivers excellent meals that are delicious and easy on any wallet.

Certainly the recession of 2009 caused most of us
to re-evaluate our spending habits, including what we spend on food. But I believe the slow cooker is a terrific way to feed a family on a budget without making anyone feel like they are eating on the cheap. Spectacular meals, soups and stews can come out of a slow cooker, while the cook is off at work or play.

Just mentioning slow cooking is likely to produce a slew of fantastic recipes from your friends and family. Just mentioning the idea for this blog produced two great recipes on the spot. I encourage readers to submit their favorites; I would be honored to share them.