This New $29.99 ALDI Appliance Is Life-Changing—I Use It All the Time

It’s quickly become my best friend in the kitchen.

With the advent of the Instant Pot and air fryers, I'd forgotten about slow cookers. However, I’ve been wanting to champion reviving them as a highly useful kitchen tool that they are. Since spotting the Ambiano Six-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker at ALDI, which is just $29.99, I knew it was time to make my case.

Why a Slow Cooker Is a Parent's Best Friend

One of my favorite things to do in the colder months is to get a meal into the slow cooker by 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. There's nothing more satisfying than tossing ingredients into a pot, pressing a button, walking away, and returning to a full meal (or the bulk of one) ready to eat.

If you're also a parent with a never-ending to-do list, it's like having a kitchen assistant quietly working in the background while juggling a million other tasks. The Ambiano slow cooker is programmable and particularly helpful for busy parents. With its valuable settings, you can plan meals up to 24 hours in advance, setting them up in the morning, going to work, running errands, and returning home to a delicious, home-cooked meal—no stirring, babysitting, or fuss. It also keeps food warm until you're ready to serve, so there's no need to rush through dinner prep.

How I Use My Slow Cooker

I got into using my slow cooker when I was postpartum meal prepping during my first pregnancy. I made many dishes that I could freeze and reheat and also made many freezer "dump" meals, where the entire meal is frozen until ready to use.

When it was time to cook it, I just thawed it overnight in the fridge and "dumped" it into the slow cooker in the morning to fully prepare dinner by 5 p.m. They required very little prep, so I could make a lot of delicious fortifying meals to help me through the fourth trimester (and beyond). This experience made me fall in love with my slow cooker, so I now use it regularly.

Pull meat is one of my favorite things to make in my slow cooker. I have been making this pulled pork recipe for years, and friends always ask for the recipe. I love slow-cooking pork shoulder, in general, and freezing the cooked meat for quick meals later. This recipe, in particular, makes an excellent protein for tacos, bowls, quesadillas, and salads. In addition, slow cooker pot roast is the perfect Sunday "roast" meal. It's a hearty, warming, one-pot meal with all the veggies and broth, so the only prep required is in the morning.

I also host a party each Fall for my neighbors, and people come by for two types of chili while the kids do a Halloween costume reveal. It's a lot of fun, relatively easy, and a huge crowd-pleaser because everyone loves chili that they can customize with various toppings.

Beyond the classics, I also make curries, fragrant stews, oatmeal, and granola in my slow cooker. When the stove and oven are filled to the brim on Christmas and Thanksgiving, I've even used it to make mashed potatoes and stuffing. It's an absolute must-have kitchen appliance.

Things You Didn't Know You Could Use Your Slow Cooker For

Slow cookers are great for the obvious soups and stews, but did you know you can use them for more unconventional dishes, too? I was blown away when I discovered you could make bread in a slow cooker. It’s not artisan sourdough, but the result is a tender, satisfying loaf that's delicious slathered with butter. I've also made yogurt—surprisingly easy and incredibly satisfying—and apple butter–one of my most beloved fall dishes. I haven't explored this yet, but I've heard that you can also make cheesecake in it. Apparently, the slow, gentle cooking ensures a smooth, crack-free top.

Slow cookers make my life a whole lot simpler, and they handle a lot with ease. If you don't already own one, the Ambiano 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is an incredible deal at $29.99. Once you start using it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

About ALDI Finds

This product is an ALDI Find, which are limited-time and inventory items that the store rotates onto its shelves every week. They come and go quickly—and sometimes return. Keep an eye out, but it's possible your local ALDI may have sold out or no longer carry the product.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.