The Complete Slow Cooking For Two by Linda Larsen

If you’re like Hubby and I, you may have given up on trying to use the electric Crock Pot for meals because 90% of the recipes out there are for 4 or more servings, and there’s times you just don’t feel like making a huge mess for two meals or two people. Especially after a long, grueling day. It is sometimes easier to make a sandwich or nuke some leftovers, taste and texture be damned. In fact, we got rid of our Crock Pot years ago, and after this book, I’m kinda wishing we hadn’t.

With plenty of advice about what slow cooker best suits your particular needs, tips and tricks, as well as helpful hints and healthy debunking of the many “Yeah, but I heard that…” horror stories that tend to surround slow cooking, it was a read that was quick, easy, easy to follow and in fact even taught me a thing or two about cooking with an electric slow cooker, so much so that I may just have to buy one again soon! The recipes call for stuff just about everyone has already in their fridge, freezer or pantry, and lest you think a slow cooker is good for just chili or stew, There’s recipes for stuffed peppers, shepherd’s pie, breakfasts and desserts!! I was able to adapt quite a few of these to my Le Creuset dutch oven, too, so if you’re like me and short exactly one electric slow cooker, with some careful adjustments you’re still ready to open up your culinary world to the magic of slow cooking.

This book was a pleasurable read, because it broadened my horizons to the world of possibilities of electric slow cooking, especially after spending years and years as a “range-top and oven only” snob. It made me excited to try out an old method of cooking I’d written off, and I think you’ll find something (or two or three!) to love too.

I received the above product(s) free of charge from TVM.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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The Mediterranean Table w/ Over 150 recipes by Sonoma Press

It’s no secret that in this country, we’re overwhelmingly unhealthy thanks to our diets. The food that’s most readily available, easiest to prepare and (usually) the most affordable is some of the most unhealthy food in the history of this planet. Loaded with salt, sugar, refined and processed ingredients, saturated fats and empty carbs, a steady diet of these types of foods will make your life miserable and most likely put you in an early grave. In my house, we eat fresh, prepare every meal from (almost) scratch and don’t eat fast food. This book, The Mediterranean Table, will help you replace bad eating habits with better ones, and gently guide you to a healthier, cleaner, more balanced lifestyle. And while the advice on it’s face certainly won’t be cheap, with some careful substituting and shopping weekly sales, the diet plan in here is doable, affordable, and an excellent roadmap to making lasting, permanent and health changes in you lifestyle and diet that will lead to a lifetime of benefits.

The recipes in this book are simple, easy to follow, and use ingredients that can be mostly found at the local supermarket for about what you’d pay for the prepared junk that sits in the deli case. It makes abundant use of simple, unrefined ingredients, olive oil, vegetables and herbs. There’s cheeses for the cheese lovers, meats for the meat lovers, breads for the bread lovers…There’s really something for everyone. What I would have liked to see is a
“substitutions” list on the recipes for harder to find or unusual ingredients. Some can be very seasonal and some are just not easy to find due to geography, but overall I found the recipes to be easy to follow, and simple to adjust for availability of ingredients. There’s soups, dinners, deserts, sauces, toppings, sides…and even an online resource list that can help you find some of the more exotic additions. Plus separate reciepe and ingredient indices for quick reference.

Overall I liked this book, and it’s recipes, and found something that both Hubby and I are greatly looking forward to trying. There’s heartier meals for colder weather, and lighter fare for the summers. I can see myself pulling this book out all year round for inspiration, and if you’re looking to start eating and living healthier and better, this book would be a great starting point.

I received the above product(s) free of charge from TVM.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.