While the technique of low-and-slow cooking has been around since the 18th century, the slow cooker appliance as we know it today was developed in the 1930s by Jewish inventor Irving Nachumsohn. In eastern Europe during the Sabbath, families often prepared cholent, a traditional Jewish stew made of meat, beans, and vegetables and cooked slowly at a low temperature. However, the Jewish community was prohibited from cooking because of the Sabbath, so they would bring pots of stew to a town bakery the day before observation and slowly cook it using residual heat from the ovens. This led to the advent of the slow cooker.
In January 1940, Nachumsohn obtained the patent for the appliance, which later became known as the Crock-Pot in the 1970s. Since then, the slow cooker has become a staple household appliance that makes delicious, flavorful recipes with minimal effort.
With colder weather around the corner, it’s the perfect time to break out your slow cooker and make some easy, warm meals the whole family will enjoy. Try out the tasty Barbacoa Beef recipe featured below!
Barbacoa Beef
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
1 small onion, diced ¼ teaspoon ground clove ⅛ teaspoon ancho chile powder 1 ¾ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon dried thyme ¾ teaspoon dried oregano 3 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and minced 2 teaspoons chile powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 cup beef broth 2 tablespoons + ¾ teaspoon apple cider vinegar 1 lime, juiced 2 ⅓ pounds + 1 ⅛ ounces beef chuck roast 1 dried bay leaf 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Preparation:
STEP 1: Cut beef chuck into 2-inch pieces.
STEP 2: In a skillet, heat the vegetable oil and sear beef on all sides until golden brown.
STEP 3: Place diced onion, clove, ancho chile powder, salt, thyme, oregano, garlic, chile powder, cumin, apple cider vinegar, and lime juice in a food processor. Blend until smooth.
STEP 4: Place beef in a slow cooker. Pour onion mixture and beef broth over the beef and add bay leaf.
STEP 5: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 6 hours.
STEP 6: Remove beef from the slow cooker, discard bay leaf, and shred beef with a fork.
STEP 7: Serve as a filling for tacos, nachos, or barbacoa bowl.
