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Use Your Slow Cooker For Holiday Entertaining

November 20, 2015
Photo: Oxmoor House
Pull your slow cooker out for unexpected—dare we say brilliant—ways to turn out fuss-free, fabulous fare for entertaining's busiest season.
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Entertain With Ease

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Use your go-to convenience appliance in unexpected—dare we say brilliant—ways to turn out fuss-free, fabulous fare for entertaining's busiest season.

First: Cook tamales without any need to check or adjust the temperature or water level. It's a worry-free method that dials down the maintenance for this Christmas Eve favorite.

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Overnight Maple-Raisin Oatmeal

Photo: Jennifer Causey

No one wants to stand over a pot of oatmeal stirring while everyone else whoops it up on a holiday morning. So set up oats and all in a water bath in the slow cooker, and wake up to a hearty breakfast for six.

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Slow-Roasted Salmon with Dill Cream

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Slow-Roasted Salmon with Dill Cream

Give fish time to absorb aromatic herbal and citrus essence while it cooks, in an ovenlike environment, to the perfect tenderness. And because it stays covered, the fishy odors won't fill the house.

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Easy Chocolate-Bourbon Fondue

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Easy Chocolate-Bourbon Fondue

Put the Sterno and matches aside, and use this flameless method to make fondue. Unlike a thin fondue pot, a slow cooker has a thick ceramic liner (plus, in this recipe, a glass container) that keeps the chocolate from scorching.

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Apple-Cranberry Holiday Wassail

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Apple-Cranberry Holiday Wassail

After slowly simmering, unattended, for several hours, this spice-infused cocktail is party ready. Serve straight from the crock (set temperature to WARM). The drink will stay warm without cooking off the alcohol.

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Super Squash Side Dish

Photo: Rebecca Longshore

Prick a whole spaghetti squash with a fork; cook in a slow cooker on LOW for about 8 hours. Discard seeds and skin. Toss flesh with parsley, olive oil, and Parmesan.

See More: Spaghetti Squash Recipes; How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

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Easy Pie Prep

Photo: Chris Court

Double or triple the recipe for your favorite fruit pie filling, and stew it ahead in the slow cooker for pie any time the urge hits.

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Perfect "Baked" Spuds

Photo: Squire Fox

Individually wrap sweet potatoes in foil, and pile into the slow cooker. Eight hours later, serve up a loaded potato bar.

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No-Fuss Baked Apples

Photo: Oxmoor House

Stuff a mix (you choose) of nuts, oats, and spice, and brown sugar into cored apples. Add a dab of butter to each. Cook on LOW 2 hours.

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