GREAT READS

Slow Cooker Revolution

by the editors at America's Test Kitchen ; photography by Keller + Keller ; additional photography by Daniel J. van Ackere, Carl Tremblay.

Some days, I'm just not up for cooking a well-balanced hearty meal for 4 when I get home. Thank goodness for the Crock Pot! For a long time I've used the Crock Pot for slow cooking roasts or stews, but this cookbook has helped me try some recipes that are different and delicious. They use methods of cooking things without them swimming in a sauce or liquid all day, and some include a little more prep time than I've been used to with a Crock Pot, but my family has been happy with the results! One of our favorites that will make it into my home cookbook that I share with family and friends is the Huli Huli Chicken. Since it was an unknown recipe, and my hubby and I are trying to eat less meat, I only made 6 boneless skinless thighs the first time we tried it and wished I'd made a lot more! There are helpful hints throughout the book, and each recipe is prefaced with "Why this recipe works" that gives insight on creating recipes for the slow cooker. I'm hoping that will allow me to come up with my own crock pot recipes based on family favorites once I'm more familiar with the methodology. As it is, I would highly recommend this book for something different and less time consuming for the chief cook and bottle washer who sometimes just wants to come home and sit!

Recommended by Ella Bottomley

---