Slide 2 of 29: Introducing a slow cooker into your kitchen can be a game changer and we've got a few handy tips to make sure it does its job right. Before adding any meat to the pot, sear it in a pan to make it brown and crispy, and cook off any alcohol. For best results, keep an eye on your dish and stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking or drying out. Also, stagger ingredients -- add quick-cook pasta, noodles, soft veg and dairy towards the end.