Sunday seems to be an ideal day for using the slow cooker because it allows you to get something cooking early in the day so that you are free to enjoy whatever the day may hold. Too often I've gotten caught up in enjoying a Sunday afternoon activity, only to find myself unprepared (or simply not in the mood) to make dinner Sunday evening. (Right now I have a stuffed buttercup squash in the slow cooker for tonight's dinner. Can't wait.)
As most of you know, I’m currently working on a new slow cooker cookbook. Recipe testing is going at full speed thanks to a great group of testers. Even though the book won’t hit the shelves for another year, I thought you might enjoy getting a sneak peek at some of the recipe testers' photos.
There will be loads of vegetable and bean recipes in the book, including the Italian stew shown at the top of this post. There are also lots of hearty comfort food recipes such as these barbecue seitan ribs and scalloped potatoes:
And let's not forget dessert. Here is a luscious zabaglione-inspired bread pudding:
And a delicious apple cake, perfect for this time of year, that is also 100% fat-free:
I hope you enjoyed this little advance preview of my new slow cooker book. I also want to thank you all who have written to me about how much you're enjoying my current new book, Quick-Fix Vegan. I hope you will all help me spread the word about QFV on your blogs, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as posting reviews on Amazon. Your help is most appreciated!
Coming up tomorrow: I will announce the winner of this week's "Make My Monday" cookbook giveaway and launch another new giveaway, too!
Slow cookers kinda freak me out. What other appliance do you leave cooking while you leave the house for 8 hrs? The fridge? I always think the worst is gonna happen. Safety tips?
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteSlow cookers don't use a lot of power, and they don't get super-hot, plus they were designed to be left unattended. As for safety tips, cook on the Low setting without over-filling it. Maybe the best way to get used to the idea is to cook something in a slow cooker while you're at home -- but in a different room or part of the house so you can see how safe it can be.
Oh yummy! I have a slow cooker, but I don't use it that much. Though the miso-braised tofu recipe from your original slow cooker book blew my mind! I really need to use it more, especially with summer coming up when it will be super sticky and hot in the kitchen so I don't have to stand over the stove.
ReplyDelete(I also live at home and my parents are paranoid and won't let me leave it on when no one is home. Slightly limiting factor in its use! *sigh*)
Good news, Susan -- there will be a new braised tofu recipe in the new book -- even better, IMO.
ReplyDeleteI use my slow cooker even when I'm home -- it's just convenient to not have to hang around the kitchen while something cooks. I can put on the slow cooker and then go upstairs and get on the computer, or even better, play with the kitties!
Ahh yes... play with kitties. There is nothing more important to be doing with our time. ;)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see this new recipe for braised tofu!
I am looking forward to trying this recipe and of course your new book. What size slow-cooker is this recipe aimed at? What size slow cooker is the book aimed at? I have a two-person household and use a small slow cooker - 2 quarts only.
ReplyDeleteJeannie, I have a two-person household as well and I use a 4-quart slow cooker and also a 6-quart model. Most of the recipes make at least 4 servings. And since many of the recipes taste better the next day, we often enjoy the same meal twice in one week. Otherwise, we freeze leftovers to enjoy a week or two down the road -- which saves cooking time!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Specifically, though, what size slow cooker did you use for this recipe?
ReplyDeleteI love the freezer idea, but at the moment I am in the lovely, months-long predicament of having my freezer filled with fresh squeezed pomegranate juice and walnuts from my own trees. There won't be much room for anything extra but a quart or two of vegan ice cream for a while. :)
Jeannie, Which recipe in particular are you referring to? There are several photos shown in the post of various tester recipes.
ReplyDeleteLovely blog you haave here
ReplyDelete