Use Your Slow Cooker For Holiday Entertaining

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.