Help! I need answer today! Food preparation and keeping warm in Crock pots?!
Answers: Well, I thought I knew the answer but am wondering if it's advisable to bake things that have a crust on them, in the oven, then keep them warm in the crock pot? Specifically, Mexican things like Tostidas (long thin rolls filled with beef) and Jalapeno poppers, with a crust and filled with cheese. Will they be 'soggy'? If I can't fix ahead and use the crock pots, I'll have to wait until folks are arriving to have them hot or at least warm. That could be a 'pain'. Any suggestions? I'm doing the chicken wings in my roaster. That should be ok. Thanks. My bunch comes at 4:00 so please reply.
Crock pots are better suited at keeping moist things warm, such as soups, stews, chilis, etc. When serving baked/fried things, it is best to save them until the last minute. If you are worried about keeping them warm, just keep them in a warm oven (200-220). If you are transporting them someplace else, get some aluminum pans, with lids, and again, fry/bake at the last minute. Covered items create steam, and steam creates moisure, and moisture creates soggy food :-p. So, when you put the items in the pans, be sure to leave a big enough space, when covering, so that the steam can escape and drive quickly!!
ummmm, I would not advise to keep warm in a crock pot. You can def prepare ahead of time and keep them covered with tin foil then about 15-20 mins b4 ur going to eat them just warm them in the oven on a low temp like 200
One of the most important things that you need to bear in mind while feeding crowds of guests is that you must keep hot food hot and cold food cold. To not do so can lead to bacterial growth in your food and make you an instant party pariah as everyone gets sick.
Also, remember that food that is cooked and then kept warm for any period of time is usually pretty awful. I'm sure you've been subjected to this at a restaurant at least once and remember just how nasty and dried up the stuff can be.
Keeping things that were cooked elsewhere warm in the crockpot is not a good idea. For starters, they will continue to cook in the crock-pot.
Your solution is to prepare your dishes up to the point that they need to be baked and then bake them at the last minute. Most things can sit for 10 minutes or so before service.
yes you can .do not put the lid on the crock-pot.it if lid is on it
will creates conduction.