175 Essential Slow Cooker Classics
by Judith Finlayson
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Book Reviews of 175 Essential Slow Cooker Classics
Book Review: Very good book!
Summary: 4 Stars
175 Slow Cooker Classics by Judith Finlayson is a very good book for slow cooker users. It shows that the list of things you can make in your slow cooker is almost infinite. Using the recipes in this book you'll create meals that will soon become family favorites. Better still, producing such outstanding results requires a minimal amount of your attention.
In addition to producing great-tasting food, a slow cooker is an extremely effective time-management tool. Finlayson offers suggestions to maximize convenience and to get the most out of your slow cooker such as partially preparing a dish up to 2 days prior to cooking; do any additional chopping and slicing the night before you intend to cook to keep work to a minimum when it's less convenient; or cook a recipe overnight and refrigerate it until ready to serve.
You'll find recipes to satisfy everyone in your family in this book, for example: Minestrone with Garlic-Flavored Crostini, Easy Chicken Paprikash, Santa Fe Style Ribs, Risotto and Maple Orange Pudding with Coconut. All the recipes include make-ahead notes and tips.
Book Review: Okay Book
Summary: 3 Stars
I am new to the slow cooker method of cooking and was hoping for a cookbook with recipes filled with classic comfort food. However, many of the recipes in this book did not sound appetizing to me. There were a number of pot roast and other beef recipes that sounded pretty good, but I found the idea of the Dilled Veal, Texas White Chili (made with chicken) and a number of other selections (e.g., I am not a fan of lamb and there is a large section devoted to lamb) extremely unappetizing. However, there are recipes in this book that I think I will like, just not a bunch of them. What I did like about this book is the binding: it has a hard cover and lies flat when opened. There are lots of pictures and the recipes are one to a page, so it is very easy to read and is visually pleasing. Another thing is that each recipe comes with a crockpot size recommendation (i.e., how many quarts), which was extremely helpful. The recipes are also uncomplicated and easy to prepare.Book Review: Finally, slow cooker meals that taste like real food
Summary: 5 Stars
We previewed several slow-cooker cookbooks from the library before buying this one and another of Finlayson's. So far, every dish we have made had been delicious and tasted like real cooking.
Many other cookbooks feature food that is easier to prepare. And many others feature recipes that are harder to prepare and require more exotic ingredients.
Finlayson strikes a happy medium with easy-to-find ingredients that combine traditional preparation with the time and energy savings of a slow cooker. You can prepare elements of meals ahead of time and, if you plan several meals during one week, prep all the ingredients and store them until you are ready. Then, cook for a few minutes in the morning and come home to a hot -- and delicious -- dinner. What a relief.
Book Review: Excellent recipes; heavy on the prep. time.
Summary: 4 Stars
I got this book as a gift along with a new slow cooker. All of the recipes that I have tried turned out to be fantastic tasting, however most recipes require that you do a little pre-cooking the food before you put the ingredients in the slow cooker - kind of seems to defeat the purpose?? The first time I "pre-cooked" my veggies they turned out too mushy after the pre-cooking and then spending all day in the slow cooker. I decided to save time and ignore that step in all the recipes. So far it has not made a difference - everything I have tried has turned out perfectly cooked and tasty without all that. The only thing I have done is to brown the beef, like suggested in some recipes, but other than that I just throw all ingredients into slow cooker and let it do it's thing.Book Review: May be amazing, but it isn't simple
Summary: 2 Stars
This is a wonderful looking book and it appears to be well written, but the recipes are complex. If you are looking for a dump in the pot and go book, this isn't it. My mouth was watering looking at the pictures, but the directions made me give it up.
If you want gourmet slow cooker recipes, this may be the book for you. If you want a beginner book for family meals, maybe not this one.