Your New Holiday Party Best Friend: The Slow Cooker
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Yep, you read that right. When you’ve got multiple dishes in the works for a party, the trusty slow cooker has your back. It frees up oven and stove space, and its low-and-slow cooking method will bring out the best in meatballs, spiced nuts, sticky pudding and even hot chocolate. For a retro touch, you could even serve these genius party dishes from Food Network Kitchen straight out of your appliance.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Oven space is always at a premium during the holidays, and these slow-cooker spiced nuts won't claim any of it. They're so good and so easy, though, that you'll want to use this method year-round.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Leave the chafing dish in the basement. This version of Swedish meatballs is an hors d'oeuvre you can make and serve in the same pot.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Made and served in the same pot, our slow-cooker cocoa is thickened and enriched with dark chocolate. Set up an add-ons bar beside the cooker (mini marshmallows, crushed candies and peppermint schnapps take cocoa to a whole new holiday level), then stick a ladle in the pot and let guests help themselves.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Cranberries lend a wonderful tartness to our sweet-and-sour barbecue sauce. Pair it with its seasonal best friend, turkey, braised in a slow cooker.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
The slow cooker is a perfect fit for this pudding-like cake: The gentle, moist heat keeps the cake nice and supple until it's doused at the end with nutmeg-laced toffee sauce. Make the cake a day ahead, and store it in the slow cooker (the fridge is quite full enough during the holidays!).
Get more holiday recipes, videos and tips at Food Network’s Holiday Central.