Using a slow cooker makes for a hands-off style of food preparation. Once dinner is in the pot, you are free for hours. In fact, it's important to the cooking process not to peek. All you need to do is go away and let the long, slow cooking tenderize the meat and mellow the flavors together. Opening the lid breaks the vacuum seal and will greatly increase the cook time. Our Test Kitchens tested each recipe in a standard 5-quart capacity cooker--perfect for families.

"What's for Supper? Zesty Slow-Cooker Recipes" is from the December 2002 issue of Southern Living.