14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Slow Cooking for Fast Times, November 10, 2003
This review is from: The Best Family Slow Cooker Recipes (Paperback)
By Bill Marsano. When the Rival company introduced its Crock Pot about 30 years ago, it was an instant hit--but it soon drew criticism on two fronts. One problem was that careless people who cooked for too short a time at too low a temperature had turned it into a germ-breeding device, making a few people sick. That problem does not occur if folks will follow the admirably clear and simple directions provided by the author of this book.
There were also somewhat snooty complaints about crock cuisine being a bit low class--the sort of stuff to be found at church socials, covered-dish suppers and even tailgate picnics. Well, that is in part true--but so what? Slow cooking is what our grannies did when they pushed their cast-iron pots of beef stew to the back burners of their woodstoves and let them simmer for most of the day. I know I always wanted seconds. Didn't you?
The secret to slow cooking is good ingredients, which you can get with ease, and good recipes, which you can get in this book, written by an expert with two previous crock-pot books to her credit.
Now I will admit that we are not talking haute cuisine here. These are practical, stick-to-your-ribs dishes for enthusiastic eaters. At the same time they are not simple, boring, one-note recipes. Ms. Pye shows no fears of herbs and spices, which she uses frequently ("season liberally!" she cries). That gives her entree to many of what we call 'ethnic' cuisines (Oriental, Russian and Indian among them). Let me add, too, that Pye's not necessarily devoted to culinary authenticity. Recipes such as risotto without rice and polenta tamale pie are more about creativity or maybe even desperation than anything else. Still, there are plenty of recognizable dishes here, well rendered, and some real innovations. (I confess it never occurred to me that I might make a cheesecake in a crock pot.)
Busy people--parents with kids and schedules or singles cooped up in offices till dark--can benefit from slow cooking. If they use this book to make one or two meals a week they'll save money, eat better and feel better. Another good thing about the slow cooker is that its safety (no open flame, generally low temperatures) makes it a great way to start the kids learning their way around a kitchen. (Given the chance, most kids actually love cooking.)
The recipes are clearly written and presented one to a page on non-reflective paper. Thisd is a practical, useful book.--Bill Marsano has done most of the cooking for his family over the past few years, and they seem none the worse for it.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
multiple delights, December 16, 2004
This review is from: The Best Family Slow Cooker Recipes (Paperback)
I initially borrowed this book from our local library. As it was new, you could only take it out for 2 weeks at a time. I made 6 recipies from it the first week and each was wonderful. I should have never told the librarian how great they were because I had to wait 6 weeks to get another shot at borrowing it. So, I got my own copy. My family looked forward to each new creation. In particular, the Bacon,Lettuce,& Tomato and tortillini soups were excellent, as well as the mushroom chicken thighs and turkey tetrazinni. The pumpkin soup combines some strange things (coconut milk and chili powder) but the flavors blend into something unusual and wonderful. So far, every recipe is a winner, and I think that is pretty unique in a cookbook. I am buying extra's for Christmas.
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