Beat the Heat: Why Your Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker are Summer Essentials

By Micah Holcombe

Cameron - When you think of slow cookers or electric pressure cookers (like the Instant Pot), you probably picture cozy autumn chili or a hearty winter beef stew. But before you pack those appliances away in the back of the cabinet for the season, consider this: summer is actually the absolute perfect time to use them right here in Texas!

Here is why these kitchen favorites deserve a permanent spot on your countertop all summer long.

🌡️ Keep Your Kitchen Cool

Let’s face it, cooking during a Texas summer can feel like standing inside a toaster oven. Turning on your stove top or baking in the oven heats up the whole house fast, making meal prep miserable and forcing your air conditioner to work overtime.

Slow cookers and electric pressure cookers trap the heat inside the appliance. A slow cooker gently simmers your food all day, while an electric pressure cooker whips up meals in a fraction of the time—and neither one will heat up your kitchen.

⏳ More Time for Summer Fun

Summer days in Milam County are meant for the swimming pool, backyard cookouts, baseball games, and family adventures—not spending hours scrubbing pans over a hot stove.

With a slow cooker, you can "set it and forget it" in the morning and come home to a fully cooked dinner. If you prefer a quick weeknight turnaround, electric pressure cookers can make tender meats, pasta dishes, soups, and even desserts incredibly fast. Both give you your evening schedule back.

🥗 The Perfect Match for Fresh Produce

Slow-cooked or pressure-cooked mains pair beautifully with the fresh summer produce popping up in our local gardens. Shredded pork, pulled chicken, or vegetable-packed dishes match perfectly with a cold slice of watermelon, a crisp garden salad, sliced homegrown tomatoes, or a side of grilled corn on the cob. You get a satisfying, balanced meal that doesn't feel too heavy.

💰 Budget-Friendly Meal Prep

Feeding a family when school is out can get expensive. Both appliances excel at stretching your grocery budget. They work beautifully with affordable cuts of meat and simple ingredients, making it easy to cook in large batches. One cooking session can easily provide multiple meals, giving you handy leftovers or easy freezer meals for busy weeks.

👨‍👩‍👧 Get the Kids Involved!

With the kids out of school, summer is a wonderful time to introduce them to basic cooking skills. Because these appliances don't involve open flames or hot stove grates, they offer great, hands-on opportunities for children. Kids can help rinse summer veggies, measure out ingredients, stir the pot, or help pick out the weekly menu. It's a fantastic way to build their confidence and spend quality time together.

Recipe of the Week: Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Looking for a kid-approved, crowd-pleasing dinner that won't heat up the house? Give this simple, comforting slow cooker pasta a try. It makes a generous 12 servings, making it perfect for big families or handy weekly leftovers!

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 2 to 3 hours
• Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces whole wheat penne pasta, dry
• 10.75 ounces reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup
• 10.75 ounces reduced-sodium cream of mushroom soup
• 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chiles
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 white onion, diced
• 4 ounces canned sliced mushrooms, drained
• 2 cups chicken breast, chopped
• 2 cups reduced-fat shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Par-boil the pasta: Boil the dry penne pasta in water for just 5 minutes. Drain the pasta and place it directly into your slow cooker. (Note: Par-boiling ensures the pasta cooks perfectly without getting mushy in the slow cooker!)
2. Mix it up: Add all of the remaining ingredients—the soups, diced tomatoes, peppers, onion, mushrooms, chopped chicken breast, and shredded cheese—to the slow cooker. Stir everything together until well combined.
3. Slow cook: Cover and cook on Low for 2 to 3 hours.
4. Serve: Give it a good stir right before serving, dish it out, and enjoy! 🍝

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