The Healthy Slow Cooker
by Judith Finlayson
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Book Reviews of The Healthy Slow Cooker
Book Review: Too Much Preparation
Summary: 2 Stars
I am new to slow cooking and got this book from the library to get some new recipe ideas. This book is very nicely arranged (separate sections for: bread/breakfast, soups, poultry/seafood, meat, pasta, vegetarian and dessert) with nice full color photographs of the food and nutritional information on each dish.
Though it does contain many delicious sounding recipes, I was frustrated that nearly all of them require pre-preparation of the food beyond just browning meat or chopping vegetables. Nearly every one of the recipes I wanted to attempt began with "In a skillet...." Personally, I was looking for healthy recipes with minimal pre-prep that I could put together while my children napped or were occupied during the day and NOT what amounts to cooking an entire meal on the stovetop and then throwing it in a slow cooker.
This would be a good purchase for someone with more time on their hands but for me, it just didn't work.
Book Review: The Healthy Slow Cooker: More than 100 Dishes for Health and Wellness
Summary: 5 Stars
The Healthy Slow Cooker contains over 100 healthy recipes that can be made using a crock pot. These recipes include main meal dishes for every meal as well as deserts. Each recipe is complete with full instructions, tips, make ahead ideas, and nutritional information. There is even a chart at the back of the book detailing the American and Canadian Diabetes Association Values of each dish.
Like many people, there are days when I just can't face making a meal after a long hard day. At that point, nutrition pretty much goes out the window and fast food becomes an option. I like the slow cook alternative, particular those delicious, quick to prepare recipes that I can throw in the cooker at the start of the day and have ready for supper. That these meals are actually nutritious is an added bonus. Any recipe that actually reduces chaos and that my family actually likes to eat gets high marks from me.
Book Review: Tasty slow cooker meals
Summary: 5 Stars
I also thought I would not like to have to pre-cook items that I had previously tossed in the slow cooker together but, once I did it, I would never go back to the more traditional way of preparation. The flavors of the sauteed vegetables and meat are so much more pronounced and flavorful. Adding items during the last 20 minutes like peppers and seafood prevent them from overccoking and becoming mushy. I have found recipes in this book all don't taste alike due to the flavor layering. Yes, it does take more time than traditional slow cooker recipes but it is well worth the investment. I only make the recipes on Sunday so it's not a problem. I have also started to use the same cooking techniques with other slow cooker recipes. I have also seen new recipes requiring the same sauteeing requirements. I would definitly buy another of her slow cooker books.Book Review: Ok, not great
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is ok, but not great. I like a cookbook with a lot of pictures so I can see what the finished product looks like, but this one has a couple pictures for every 10 (approximately) recipes. Also, many of the recipes require you to cook most of the items in a pot/pan on the stovetop before putting in the slowcooker. I'm sorry, but the main reason most people want to make a slow cooker meal is to eliminate having to cook on the stove! I will say I haven't yet tried any of the recipes in the book, so I cannot attest to the flavor or taste, but I'm actually unmotivated to make any of them in the first place because of the extra steps involved! My search continues for a good, healthy, slow cooker cookbook...Book Review: Not for a beginner or if you want easy recipes
Summary: 2 Stars
Unfortunately I have to agree with "too difficult"s review.
This book has wonderful recipes but they are more complicated than if you tried to cook them the standard way using a regular cookbook. This works for people who actually get home from work before 7pm or have time to prep for cooking. Could be a good weekend cookbook.
Really it seems some of these things could be adjusted to the modern working person's lifestyle, it would be better if the cook book gave you alternatives to "browning seeds and grinding them"(!) Healthy cooking doesn't really require all that. But I plan to substitue here and there through out the book........ If I keep it.
On the plus side: Lovely pictures.