Author: Better Homes and Gardens
Hardcover: 548 pages
Publisher: Wiley
Release Date: December 10, 2012
Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars
My wife and I recently got a new slow cooker, double the size of our last, so we have been dying to try out some new recipes. When I started looking around at newly released slow cooker recipe books there is no shortage but none of them really stood out like this release from Better Homes and Gardens. Just the look and feel of the book really drew me in. It comes in a nice hardcover with a binder feel and tabbed pages. It is very each to leave open and view on the counter while cooking. What I also liked about the book is simply the title recipes that you can prepare “year-round”, I think that is key. They are all also low maintenance and low-fuzz and that is a must for us. We have little time to prepare dinner and these include the recipe for success.
Another main draw for me is that there are over 500 recipes included throughout. The sections included in this book are breakfast and bunch, soups and stews, sandwiches, casseroles, meat, poultry, and desserts. There is also a section for those looking for even healthier food with “Skinny Slow Cooker”. There is something for everyone here for sure within these delicious recipes. What I also liked about this book is that is for the everyday cooker and actually attempts to help you cook… and cook well. There are tips and guides in order to make the recipes extra yummy. I like to think that I am decent cook, not as good or creative as my wife, and this really spoke to me and inspired me to cook.
Let’s get to some of the yummy recipes now. In the casserole section, I turned immediately to the recipe for “New Potato, Broccoli, and Chicken Casserole”. I couldn’t help but prepare straight away. Let me tell you it was beyond amazing! I am usually not one to try something off the “skinny” menu but I turned to the “Slow-Cooked Beef Fajitas”, I couldn’t say no…and I am sure glad that I didn’t. I recently tried “Ratatouille” in Disney World and I really liked it but the recipe here to be honest is so much better…sorry Disney. What is a recipe book with out great desserts! I am a big fan of brownies and I couldn’t say no to “Fudge Brownies with Strawberries”. Let’s just say when I make them again, I will be doubling the recipe, since I couldn’t get enough of these.
What is also very attractive about this book is that it comes packed with hundreds of mouth watering photos, which really left me wanting to run out to my nearest Publix supermarket in order to get more groceries. I have a feeling that this book is going to get used quite a bit over the next few months. It is going to take a long time to make over 500 recipes, especially since I do not think that there is one item in this book that I wouldn’t want to eat immediately. Released perfectly timed for the holidays, this will make a nice Christmas gift for anyone! It is also very reasonable priced for the quality of product that you are getting. I look forward to the next release from Better Homes and Gardens