The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes
by Judith Finlayson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Judith FinlaysonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2001-09-01
ISBN: 0778800385
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Robert Rose
Book Reviews of The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes
Book Review: Wonderful introduction to using a slow cooker in your arsenal
Summary: 5 Stars
The approach to the slow cooker in this book is a little different than that which most would expect. Some baked beans, some chili, maybe a stew or pot roast -- it's just a matter of choosing a decent combination of raw stuff to dump into the crock, and coming home to mushy vegetables and tender, though flavorless, meat, right?
Wrong. If you are looking for zero prep and mediocre dishes, find another book. Judith Finlayson attacks the slow cooker not as an alternative to other cooking methods, but as an additional tool for those of us who enjoy the occasional meal with a longer cooking time, but don't want to leave the stove or oven on all day just to use a Dutch oven. She starts by discussing things that must be considered when converting recipes for crock-pot cooking. As she mentions, browning foods in a skillet can enhance the flavor of the final results. Without proper browning, foods prepared in a crock pot can be less flavorful than the original recipes. She discusses differences which allow the enterprising cook to adjust their own recipes for crock-pot cooking, and even mentions some ingredients which do not respond as well to slow cooking methods and gives tips for dealing with them. A book of recipes is good, but the introduction should be considered a manual for crock-pot cooking.
Speaking of recipes, every recipe I've tried from this book has been a smashing success. I've made her French onion soup several times. Her Shepherd's Pie recipe was flavorful and easy, her pulled pork was a delight. I used her shredded chicken as a base for her chicken enchiladas, which far exceeded my expectations regarding what was possible from a slow cooker. The best recipe I've tried so far was the Texas-style chili con carne, which was smoky and hearty, with tender meat and wonderful flavor.
This book tries to balance recipe complexity, preparation time, and quality of results. As mentioned in the introduction, several recipes suggest browning meats or softening vegetables in a skillet to enhance the flavor or texture of the final product. However, there are also suggestions that help to manage the difficulty of preparing these recipes entirely in the morning. Most recipes, especially those with long cooking times, include a clear "Make ahead" sidebar which explains which preparation can be done ahead of time and placed in the crock pot in the morning.
In summary: The introduction is wonderful in itself, serving as an introduction both to the book and to the method of crock-pot cooking. The recipes are diverse, covering a range of cultural dishes, soups, dips, main dishes, and desserts, and serving as an inspiration for those who wish to try coming up with a slow-cooker version of their own low-heat favorites.
One reviewer gave a negative comment about measurements, and cited page 73. Curious, I pulled out my copy and checked -- I cannot find a single mention of barley, which the reviewer claimed that the instructions said to add. As the reviewer stated, water was not mentioned in the ingredients list, but the text does say to "[a]dd beans, bacon and water, barely to cover." This indicates that enough water should be added to barely cover the ingredients in the cooker, and the author can hardly be faulted for not knowing the exact capacity of every slow cooker on the market. I believe that this reviewer's misunderstanding does not justify such a poor rating of a useful book.
The only thing I might suggest for a later edition is a clear indication of estimated preparation time and cooking time at the top of each recipe. The book already gives cooking times (for both high and low settings, if the recipe permits such choice) in the instructions. However, it would be helpful when looking for a recipe in a given situation to be able to more quickly determine cooking and preparation time; adding a note above each recipe would provide such additional assistance.
Summary of The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cookers are the ideal appliance for today's lifestyle because they make meal preparation so manageable. An indispensable assistant, a slow cooker will help you prepare delicious food that requires a minimum of attention, while ensuring a maximum of success. But the recipes are key. In The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes, you'll find superb recipes that will exceed your expectations for not only preparing everyday meals, but also for entertaining -- from casual Friday nights to even the most challenging special occasions,
Everyone wants food that is easy and flavorful, whether it's an old favorite that evokes fond memories such as Classic Boeuf Bourguignon, Shepherd's Pie with Creamy Corn Filling or Pineapple Upside-Down Spice Cake. New taste sensations that reflect today's globalized world can be found in Pumpkin Soup with Shrimp and Lime, Stuffed Pot Roast in Cumin-Flavored Gravy or Thai-Style Coconut Flan. Old standards or new classics, The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes has an abundance of appetizing and dependable recipes.
150 Recipes -- 50+ Color Photographs
Dependable Tips and Techniques
Appetizers to Desserts
Make Ahead Ideas
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