The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slow Cooker Cooking

Secrets to Slow Cooking in Plain English

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slow Cooker Cooking (2nd Edition) has all the ins and outs you need to make yummy meals in your slow cooker.

Not only does it have a bunch of delicious recipes -- it gives you the information to make virtually any recipe adaptable for a slow cooker.

You'll find hints and tips for veggies, fish , chicken, turkey, pork, beef and more.  The recipes range from comfort food to the exotic and all kinds in between.

It's an Idiot's Guide so believe me when I tell you that the recipes are comprehensive and you won't feel stumped on how to put your dish together.

What I found interesting were the tips and recipes for using the slow cooker to prepare only part of a dish.  I've always only used mine for main dish meals and I'm now challenged to expand my slow cooker repetoire.

Supper in our home has already been made from the Chicken Cacciatore, Turkey Meatloaf and Italian Ham Steaks recipes.

They all turned out amazing and due to the well written instructions were simple to make.

Here is the Chicken Cacciatore Recipe:

3 TB olive oil
1 large onion, peeled and diced
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1/2 green bell pepper, seed and ribs removed, and finely chopped
4 (6-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 TB fresh oregano or 2 tsp. dried
1 TB. fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried
1 TB. fresh rosemary or 1 tsp. dried
1 bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups cooked orzo or rice

1. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat.  Add onion, garlic, and green bell pepper.  Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes or until onion is translucent.  Scrape mixture into the slow cooker.

2. Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels.  Arrange chicken on top of vegetables in the slow cooker.

3. Combine tomato sauce, wine, stock, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf in a small bowl.  Pour mixture over chicken.  Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 or 3 hours or until chicken is cooked through, tender, and no longer pink.  Remove and discard bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper.  Serve chicken with orzo or rice.

== Page 198 - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slow Cooker Cooking Second Edition - © 2007 Ellen Brown - Alpha Publishers

I highly recommend this guide to anyone who would like to use their slow cooker to its full advantage, and prepare some outstanding meals as well.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slow Cooker Cooking (Second Edition) is available at Penguin.com (USA) for $16.95.


I received a complimentary copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slow Cooker Cooking (2nd Edition) from Penguin USA for the purpose of this review.

Comments

[Lisa P@www.isitmondayalready.c]

I love my slow cooker, Ill check this out!

[Shelley]

I LOVE using my crock pot!! I'm sure to check this book out!

www.shelleysswag.blogspot.com

[kalea_kane]

I have only used my crock pot for stews or smallish roasts. I really would love to expand my cooking with this fabulous tool. I'll have to look for this book. :)