Rookie Mama: Crock and roll all night (and soccer every day)

By Michelle Cote

Here we go, Crocktober – Slow cookers are the savory secret weapon to feeding my entire brood throughout this season.

Ladies of a certain age may recall the classic ‘Mall Madness’ game – Folks, what we’ve entered is truly ‘Fall Madness’ – We’ve buttoned down summer, deflated pool floats, and autumnal sports are gorgeously in full swing, with blazing reds and golds saturating all surrounding foliage that envelopes every soccer field gorgeously here in the Northeast.

But how do parents find time to cart their kiddos to said gorgeous sports fields during the already sparingly few hours separating the school day’s last bell from the dinner bell, which ultimately leads to homework and bedtime routine’s slow roll?

Well, friends, it looks like crock and roll is here to stay.

Slow cookers, to me, are the working-class alternative to hiring a personal chef who spends all day whipping you up a scrumptious stew as you work and tend to business as usual.

There are hundreds of slow cooker recipes to suit a variety of dietary needs, and mouthwatering options abound for entrees, desserts, beverages, galore.

I’ve even made a decent yogurt – It’s easier than you’d think.

Some crock inserts can even be removed and placed in an oven for dishes that may need broiling or that certain crispy je-ne-said-quoi, such as a whole chicken flanked by potatoes, carrots, and all the mouthwatering flavors of fall spice and everything nice.

This, readers, is something I only learned of in the past five years. Always a rookie.

Slow cooker recipes are often as uncomplicated as you want them to be, can be prepared ahead of time – freezer meals for the win! – and literally dumped in as you run out the door.

Just don’t forget to switch it on – Set it and forget it.

Forget cleaning, too – For the truly lazy-man’s experience, one can purchase slow cooker liners and place them in your insert ahead of dumping in ingredients.

Then, you only need to remove and toss the bag after dining’s done; no need to soak and scrub the crock.

Your house will smell heavenly with a butternut squash soup or beef stew on, which is perfectly timed with windows snapping back shut after those hot summer nights are truly wrapped up ‘til next time.

Slow cookers also offer up nourishing dishes and soups that proactively combat those sniffles – or assist during recovery – because ‘tis that season, too.

I also appreciate that Crockpots are a most fabulous way to utilize your remaining fresh garden abundance. While I blanch and freeze most excess harvest so my family can eat homegrown produce all winter long, there’s nothing like freshly grown goods and spices added in a hot, tasty dish.

Although I seriously have no idea how I’ll find enough varied recipes for all those summer squashes – Yikes.

Most of all, slow cookers offer up ultimate convenience. They use very minimal energy and were designed for mamas in their soccer season.

They’re low maintenance, cost effective, who could ask for anything more?

And if you do ask for anything more, buy a second slow cooker – I use two at once frequently, because that comes with the territory of having a large family and hankerings for lots of the leftovers.

So, crock around the clock tonight – Enjoy your slow cooker era, an idea truly worth warming up to.

Consume hearty food – not precious time.

Just don’t forget to bring the crusty bread for dunking.

Who knows, you may have some free time to play a round of two of Mall Madness.

­­– Michelle Cote lives in southern Maine with her husband and four sons, and enjoys camping, distance running, biking, gardening, road trips to new regions, arts and crafts, soccer, and singing to musical showtunes – often several or more at the same time!