Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker: Reinvent the Slow-Cooked Meal; 77 Mouthwatering Recipes

by Nicki Sizemore

Countless home cooks remain loyal users of their slow cookers for preparing satisfying, low-maintenance meals. But the tried-and-true slow cooker recipe repertoire is about to change, with author Nicki Sizemore’s fresh spin on slow-cooked meals. Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker is filled with slow-simmered main dishes, plus 35 recipes for sauces and sides, that replace canned ingredients with fresh vegetables, boost flavor with aromatic herbs and spices, and feature a tantalizing array of global tastes in dishes that span the menu. Overnight Pumpkin-Brown Rice Pudding with crunchy pecans is a wholesome, hands-off breakfast treat, Thai Curried Chicken with Rice Noodles gets a spicy kick from curry broth, and Shredded Mole Beef Tacos are accented with the sweet heat of Quick Pickled Jalapeños. Whether you’re feeding a family or entertaining a crowd, each recipe highlights prep work that can be knocked out days in advance, making serving meals worthy of every occasion easy and delicious.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2019

Reviews

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love my crockpot, so I was super excited to dive into this cookbook and hopefully get some new and fresh recipes to try out. 🍴

It starts off with an Introductory chapter, and a "Tips & Tricks" chapter. 🏫 Then it is divided into the five following chapters...

-- VEGETABLES 🍅
-- CHICKEN, TURKEY & PORK 🍗
-- BEEF & LAMB 🍖
-- SEAFOOD 🍤
-- BREAKFAST & BRUNCH 🍛

Each chapter has eight to ten recipes. 🍴 Each recipe has easy to follow instructions and there are "SLOW COOKER JUMP STARTS" and "TIPS" sprinkled throughout. ☑ It is also visually pleasing with plenty of colorful photos to catch your eye and make your mouth water. 📷

Some tasty sounding recipes you will find within are...

-- Greens & Cheese Lasagna + Quick Green Salad 🍝
-- Cilantro, Apple & Cashew Chutney 🍏
-- Spicy Maple Pecans 🍁
-- Chicken Noodle Soup 🍲
-- Spinach, Shaved Fennel & Parmesan Salad 🍠
-- Chicken & Black Bean Chilaquiles 🍗 (SOOO good)
-- Braised Short Ribs with Gremolata + Creamy Parmesan Polenta 🍖
-- Lamb Gyros + Tzatziki Sauce 🍚
-- Fish Tacos with Sriracha Mayo + Lime & Cilantro Slaw 🍴
-- Overnight Pumpkin – Brown Rice Pudding 📝 (Loved this recipe)
-- French Toast Casserole 🍞

This was definitely an excellent cookbook to flip though, and I can't wait to try even more of 77 recipes found within. 👍

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[Don Gerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker is not your average cookbook. Author Nicki Sizemore has family-tested these recipes and throughout the book she informs us which ones are the home favorites. The book is sectioned to allow readers to go right to their preferences: Vegetables, Breakfast, Seafood (!), and two meat sections (Chicken/Turkey/Pork and Beef/Lamb). Along the way, the author has dressed up the pages with many full color pictures of her creations.

Ms. Sizemore offers hints and suggestions on what can be prepared one to two days earlier, making it easier to prepare wholesome meals at the end of your hectic workday. The author also suggests quick substitutes if you don’t have the time to create the entire meal she outlines (using chips as a substitute for cornbread, for example). Every recipe has a recommended shelf life, both in the fridge and in the freezer. From the author’s descriptions, she loves to salt her foods BUT there is no indication of how much to use so for those who are watching their salt intake (or just got used to the taste of less salt), the option of how much to use is left up to you. You can always add more, right?

As a lover of fish, I had never even thought about using a slow cooker to make a seafood dinner, and I have earmarked the Moroccan Braised Halibut to be my first attempt. There are loads of interesting recipes here, and none of the ingredients are hard-to-get or so little used they are outrageously expensive. This is an opportunity to dress up your weekly meals, earning yourself a combination of healthy and good-tasting food that is certain to enlarge your eating options. Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for a complimentary ebook of this title.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love using a slow cooker to make meals? Fresh Flavours for the Slow Cooker provides 77 great new recipes for your to try.

There is a quick intro with “tips and tricks” then the book is divided by chapters that separate the recipes by categories like Breakfast and Brunch, Vegetables and of course specific meats.

Easy to follow, well describe instructions and lots of color photos, which is a must for me with any cook book.

I received this ARC copy of Slow Cooker Showstoppers: Fresh Recipes for the Full and Flavorful Meals was provided by Storey Publishing, LLC. This is my honest and voluntary review. Slow Cooker Showstoppers: Fresh Recipes for the Full and Flavorful Meals is set for publication October 01, 2019.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow cookers are a working cook's best friend. Whether you work in an office or on a farm, having dinner ready when you come through the door is a blessing anyone can appreciate. I have a running rotation of recipes, family favorites, but I'm always looking for new ideas and recipes to up my crockpot game. Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker includes many good recipes that will appeal to cooks in a hurry but who still want to give their families a quality meal at the end of the day. I've already family tested 10 of these and my family has voted which ones are next. Great reviews from all!

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker by Nicki Sizemore is a recipe book that will help to give you confidence in using a slow cooker. There are a variety of recipes that will satisfy many different taste buds. It is one cookbook that will definitely give home chefs tips for simplifying the weeknight meal.

Whenever I dust off my slow cooker in an attempt to make light of a busy day ahead, I am always thinking that I should do this more often. Without a large repertoire of slow cooker recipes that are reliable and healthy, it is not a kitchen appliance that I often use. Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker is a book that has totally turned around my love/hate relationship with my slow cooker.

The recipes in the book are ones that use lots of fresh and healthy ingredients, including many different ideas for soups, stews, and special occasions. Sizemore gives quite a few tips as to how to prep and prepare the dishes, as well as some extra ideas to create some simple to more complex side dishes. Unique recipes, such as Fajita Stuffed Sweet Potatoes and Swordfish Spaghetti turn the slow cooker into a kitchen appliance that can create more than just your grandma’s pot roast.

I created the Sweet Potato Potage which was inspired by the author’s time spent in France. The smell of fall is intense while this one cooks. Also, the combination of sweet potato, leeks, and apple are simple, yet comforting.

If you are searching for a way to make hearty and simple weeknight meals, Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker is a must-have cookbook. These recipes aren’t your typical slow cooker fare.

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great recipe book, and for once everything for a slow cooker isn't sludge! Some of these recipes sound so vibrant and fresh and I can't wait to give them a go.

When I usually use my slow cooker it all ends up tasting pretty same-y, but the recipes that are in this book have me excited to really test what I can do.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker is a collection of recipes by Nicki Sizemore featuring slow-cooker preparation. Released 29th Oct 2019 by Storey, it's 208 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.

This cookbook provides a little twist on the usual slow cooker / one pot recipes. It provides a nice selection of main dishes but the author has also included coordinating sides and sauces to mix and match. The book includes a large number of meal planning tips which are highlighted in small sidebars throughout.

The introduction (~10% of the content) includes some general cooking tips and background. The following chapters are written around specific ingredient groups: vegetables, chicken turkey & pork, beef & lamb, seafood, and breakfast & brunch. There's also an index and conversion charts.

Each of the recipes includes a picture (some have several process pics also), prep and cooking times, and yields. Ingredients are listed in a sidebar, bullet style. The step by step cooking instructions are well written and easy to follow. Tips and time-saving info are listed in sidebars. The recipe ingredients are familiar and easily sourced. The ingredients are listed with US standard measures but there's a metric conversion chart included in the back of the book.

We tried several recipes and all were tasty and appealing. The Fajita Stuffed Sweet Potatoes + Guacamole (p. 39) were mind blowing. Absolutely delicious and would have made enough for lunch the next day for work, but they didn't last long enough. I've been asked by my kids twice since then to make them again. This is one recipe which is definitely going into our regular rotation.

Four stars. Well presented tasty recipes. Well written directions, easily sourced ingredients.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Dirty Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 FRESH Stars

I must immediately say this book has mouth watering photos.. and it is not conductive to a Kindle book so please buy the actual book! it starts off as a book you pick up if you have no idea how to use your slow cooker or which kind to use. it also let you know how to freeze and reheat said creations. For me I have failed and succeeded at many a crock pot meal so I chose to skim past all that. the recipes allow for options such as . how to prep the recipe ahead of time and if you like to stovetop prep parts. basically these recipes are not a one dump and hit start but they take crockpot, stove top and side preparations combined to make one meal become elevated. I would say these recopies are really influenced with a lot of ethnicities such as Indian and Asian which are mouth water. they take things that sounds complex and make it so anyone could make it. I must say the recipe that jumped ion my head is the bimbibap beef bow.. I want to make that one for sure. and their entire seafood section was shocking and mouthwatering sounding!

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love cook books, so I was so excited to receive a copy of Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker by Nicki Sizemore. Not only are the pictures great, but the recipes are wonderful. I don't use my slow cooker nearly enough, but I plan to make some of the recipes in this fantastic book over the next couple months.

The book is divided into several sections, but first, the author provides basic slow cooker tips and tricks. I always love reading the tips and tricks section in cook books. It never fails that I pick up a nugget or two of good information!

Recipes are divided into the following categories: Vegetables; Chicken, Turkey & Pork; Beef & Lamb; Seafood; and Breakfast & Brunch.

While all the recipes look and sound amazing, I plan to make the Best Beef Chili + Jalapeno-Cheddar Spoon Bread Muffins first. Can you say YUMMY?

Check out Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker by Nicki Sizemore if you want delicious recipes that will make your life easier. Who doesn't a love a "fix it and forget it" recipe?

[Penmouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker by Nicki Sizemore offers updated recipes as the author was searching for ways to improve slow cooked recipes. Her cookbook is the result. Sizemore writes the slow cooker has become “a weeknight warrior.”

She writes the majority of the recipes found in her cookbook use a 4 to 7-quart slow cooker to prepare the recipes. The recipes will be tagged with both the prep and slow cooker times. Some of the recipes you'll find include:

White Bean & Veggie Minestrone + Pesto
Chicken Noodle Soup
Garlic-Lemon Whole Chicken
Asian Pork Lettuce Wraps + Sesame-Scallion Sauce
Carnitas Tacos + Quick Pickled Red Onions
Bolognese + Buttermilk Caesar Salad
Slow Cooker Congee
French Toast Casserole
Peach Butter

Recommend.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m new to using a crock pot or slow cooker, I cook 7 days a week for a family of 4 that includes 2 eighty year olds (my grandparents) - both that have trouble chewing and to different degrees handling utensils. Prior to jumping on the slow cooker bandwagon we had been down to about a dozen meals that they could easily eat and liked. I’ve been able to bring back roasts and other meals that were too unpredictable in an oven but it is a different way of cooking and that’s where Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker has come in.


Quick aside - in today’s day and age a cook book might seem unnecessary with the internet and millions of recipes at your disposal. It is very necessary. A general slow cooker search yields too many results to be quickly helpful. You need to have at least a general idea of what you want to cook i.e., chicken, beef, casserole, soup etc. and with that general idea you will wade through the same dozen or so recipes with slight variation for pages and pages of search results. I found myself stumped and disappointed in what felt like a lack of real variety.


Enter Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker. There is a nice variety of recipes for main course lunch or dinner with some easy side dishes, some you'll recognize and others a new twist (fajita stuffed sweet potatoes! What? Yes!) with notes on what you can easily and safely pre-prep. Some quick information on slow cookers in general, and easy to follow recipes. And no having to scroll through a 15 minute preamble like most recipes found on the 'net.


Right off the bat as I looked at the long list of recipes offered my mouth was watering! Not only that but my grandparents are picky and they have many many food restrictions but I saw a number of things that I knew they would love.


I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review and as such photos included in this ARC copy are not finalized though the images included at this point are well done, crisp, and delicious looking.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a bit of time to get to this review because I wanted to make a decent sampling of the recipes to be fair about things.

Having now done so I can safely say that this is a fantastic cookbook if you are a slow cooker fan like me. I love nothing more than to have the crockpot up and running before I head out for my day. The only thing that threw a wrench in this? A lot of the things have a similar texture and sometimes taste so they can get pretty boring.

This cookbook is fantastic for a crockpot beginner. It gives great advice and practical tips to get you going. Each recipe gives step by step instructions and tasks that can be done ahead of time so you can minimize your cook/prep time the day of cooking. The ingredients will be stuff you tend to have on hand (if you like to cook) or can easily pick up at the local grocer.

I made a couple each, of the chicken, beef and pork entrees and each one was excellent with great flavors! My family loves the new additions to our menu!

I would definitely recommend this cookbook. It was easy to follow and had a nice variety of recipes that were accompanied by gorgeous photos. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Storey Publishing for a copy in exchange for a review.

[Emmalita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me in real life or on Facebook knows that I adore my InstantPot and will proselytize on it’s wonders at the drop of the hat. I am the Kool Aid Man of the electric multicooker. As much as I love my InstantPot, it does not slow cook well, and I would be happy to use my slow cooker more often. I like my kitchen toys. When I saw Nicki Sizemore’s Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker: Reinvent the Slow-Cooked Meal offered on Netgally, I was excited to put my slow cooker back in rotation. This is an honest review.

Sizemore says she wants to refresh our love for the slow cooker by jettisoning the bland, watery recipes full of canned goods and replacing them with fresh ingredients and bold flavors. I personally have never used canned goods in my slow cooker cooking, but I am all for flavor packed meals that are also low maintenance. I picked out 5 different recipes to try. After being disappointed in the first two recipes I tried, I decided two was enough. I don’t have the money or patience to make more bad food.

One thing I like about Sizemore’s recipes is the way they are laid out. She breaks down ways elements of the recipe can be made ahead of time and then put together. I didn’t always make things ahead of time, but I followed the recipes as exactly as possible. I am not a trained chef, but I am a home cook who has cooked professionally and has a lot of experience cooking. I felt like Sizemore’s instructions are clear and would be easy for most home cooks to follow. If you do buy this cookbook, I recommend seasoning the food more aggressively.

Garlic-Lemon Whole Chicken with Fingerling Potatoes & Fennel + Parsley Pesto

I chose this recipe first because I liked the idea of cooking a whole chicken without the oven. I am the only person in the house who likes crispy skin, so the lack was not a deal breaker. I thought a fairly basic recipe would be a good place to get an idea for the overall quality of the recipes in the book. I hope I am wrong, because this was a disappointment.

The elements to this recipe were: herb butter, a 4 – 5 pound chicken sliced fennel bulb and fingerling potatoes, and a parsley pesto. I bought a barely 4 pound chicken, seasoned it with salt and pepper and made the herb butter. The butter had lemon zest, fresh garlic, fresh thyme and tarragon, and more salt and black pepper (I would make the butter again). I rubbed the butter under the skin, focusing on the breast and thigh areas, and then I put in the fridge over night. About 7 hours before I planned to serve dinner, I pulled the chicken out of the fridge and let it come closer to room temperature. No fingerling potatoes were to be had, so I used baby red potatoes. I sliced the potatoes and the fennel bulb and tossed them into the slow cooker with garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, salt and pepper and then some white wine. I nestled the chicken, breast down, into the vegetables, put of the lid and then turned the slow cooker to low as directed.

Five hours later, the chicken back and legs, which were facing up, did not look done, but the breast registered 165, so I pulled the chicken out. We let the potato and fennel continue cooking. and I made the parsley pesto. I love parsley pesto, so I knew this part would be good. The breast was tender and juicy, but the thighs and legs were too raw. We sliced off some breast meet and put the rest of the chicken in the oven at 375. In addition to the under cooked meat, the potatoes, fennel, and juices were very bland, and also watery. There was nothing lemony, garlicky, or herbal about the dish.

I wouldn’t make a whole chicken in the slow cooker again. I would make the recipe and cook it in the oven in a cast iron dutch oven. I think that would bring out a lot more flavor.

I hope next week’s turkey meatballs work better.

Turkey Meatball Subs + Spinach, Shaved Fennel & Parmesan Salad

Obviously, these did not become subs, and the salad didn’t happen. That’s fine, the recipe also suggested the meatballs and sauce could be served over pasta. That was my plan, but then we lost power after the meatballs were done, but before I cooked the pasta. As for the salad, my housemates thought it sounded weird and they weren’t going to eat it. They are now wary of fennel after last week’s flavorless, soggy fennel. I planned to saute the spinach with garlic and then make parmesean fennel chips (which only I would eat) but the power loss ended that plan. Fortunately, I had already baked a loaf of rosemary bread and made basil pesto.

This recipe was less of a disappointment than the Garlic Lemon Chicken, but was still a disappointment. So far we are two for two on dishes that come out bland and watery. I was concerned when the tomato sauce recipe called for 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. It tasted like lightly seasoned tomato, which is ok, but not really what I wanted. The meatballs had a nice texture, but no flavor. All of the flavor in this dish came from the fresh pesto and the bread – which were recipes that came from elsewhere.

I like the idea of this dish. It’s a good way to cook turkey meatballs, which can get tough, but I would not use this recipe again. I had a lot of left overs and the meatballs were even more noticeably flavorless the next day.

I am disappointed in this cookbook. I have made meals in my slow cooker that were neither bland nor watery. I have used Lynn Alley’s The Gourmet Slow Cooker for years and never had a recipe turn out bland or watery. The ideas here are great, and I like the way she breaks down the recipes into do ahead steps. I wish the final products had been better. There is always the possibility that I picked the only two recipes that don’t work.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone that only uses their crockpot occasionally I was intrigued by this cookbook and hoped it would inspire me to use it much more often. I really liked this cookbook. It delivered a array of recipes for many different occasions. There are many tips, tricks and short cuts offered which I found to be very helpful and informative. The book feature beautiful photos that had plenty of visual appeal. I really liked that these recipes used so many fresh ingredients as so many of the other recipes that I have come across rely heavily on canned/processed foods. My favorite recipes so far have been the Thai Curried Chicken, the french toast casserole and the sweet potato potage. Of my own accord I am posting a candid review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the same old slow cooker recipes! I love the addition of some side dishes or accompanied dishes that don’t take long but really make each dish a meal. We tried the chicken tikka masala and can’t wait to try a few more! I have a love/hate relationship with my slow cooker so hopefully this book will tilt it more to the love side!

[Sharon Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. I mean what's better than finding delicious slow cooker meals.

However, with the exception of several fish dishes, I wasn't overly impressed with the claim of fresh flavors. While I appreciate the author, Nicki Sizemore attempting to show us how to up our game by using fresh(er) than traditional slow cooker ingredients, I just wanted blown away.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker: Reinvent the Slow-Cooked Meal; 77 Mouthwatering Recipes by Nicki Sizemore is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019. This book is filled with slow-simmered main dishes, plus 35 recipes for sauces and sides, that replace canned ingredients with fresh vegetables, boost flavor with aromatic herbs and spices, and feature a tantalizing array of global tastes in dishes that span the menu. Overnight Pumpkin-Brown Rice Pudding with crunchy pecans is a wholesome, hands-off breakfast treat, Thai Curried Chicken with Rice Noodles gets a spicy kick from curry broth, and Shredded Mole Beef Tacos are accented with the sweet heat of Quick Pickled Jalapeños. Whether you’re feeding a family or entertaining a crowd, each recipe highlights prep work that can be knocked out days in advance, making serving meals worthy of every occasion easy and delicious.

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker has a good variety of dishes, and taught me a few tricks for using my crock pot- even as I need to retire my old one due to seal failure after a solid ten years of use- and get a new one. While there are some recipes I do not see myself trying (only because if it only needs to be in there for an hour I do not see the point of using it) there are plenty they I fully expect to be trying in the coming months. I have one adult picky eater and one kid of a similar mindset, so it is easy to fall into a rut of eating the same meals all the time, because I know what everyone will actually eat. However, the rest of us get tired of the repeats, and I am looking forward to trying some of these recipes out to see what I can add to the rotation and to test out some of the ideas reading these recipes have given me. I really liked the basic information at the beginning of the book- laying out what type of slow cooker might be right for you, and why some of the preparations can or cannot be done in advance. In my need to replace my trusty crock pot I found the information to be helpful.

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker is a wonderful resource for tips and tricks in crock pot use, new recipes, and inspiration for further experimentation. I fully expect to be consulting this book many times in the future when planning family meals.

[Witch-at-Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this book I use my slow cooker often because we usually get home so late so I am always on the lookout for new recipes to try. I am incredibly happy and I love this book! I expected to see the normal range of all casseroles and stews but this book is filled with new and inventive meals to enjoy and even includes recipes for sauces and sides. The Overnight Pumpkin-Brown Rice Pudding with crunchy pecans is a healthy and a delicious breakfast.

This book is very well organized with tons of detail and starts off with a general introduction followed by some slow cooker tips. These weren't all new to me but if you’re new to using a slow cooker these tips will certainly be useful.

Each recipe is laid out fantastically with an overview of the dish, followed by the ingredients and when you use them (most dishes are slow-cooker focused but some require stove work or other elements). Beneath this is a little box which contains information about which ingredients or steps you can do ahead of time. I found this incredibly useful as I am often short on time. This information is followed by fridge/freezer instructions and additional tip. I really can’t say enough about how much time and effort went into the organization of this cookbook.

I really love content of the recipes because I am often disappointed to just get cannibalized recipes of casseroles and things of that nature but not so with this book. And it is a solid win.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book and will certainly be looking for more from this author. I received this book for an honest review on NetGalley. Highly recommend this cookbook it is excellent!!

[Tam Sesto · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the reasons I love reviewing cookbooks is because it takes me out of my comfort zone and gives me a chance to see if a particular recipe can make me look like a genuine cook, which I am not. I was especially excited about this cookbook as I love using my slow cooker.

I picked Carnitas Tacos for my test recipe. The instructions were detailed and easy to follow. The flavor of the pork was amazing and when topped with the avocado and feta cheese and folded into a corn tortilla, the first bite was sensational. And who doesn’t love a recipe that takes 5 minutes to prep and cooks in a slow cooker all day. Add another 15 minutes or so to prepare the sauce, tortillas, and the toppings and you have a quick and easy delicious meal with leftovers.

The author breaks the recipes down into 5 groups and I have included an example of the recipe in that section: Vegetables (Garden Ratatouille), Chicken, Turkey, and Pork (Chicken Noodle Soup), Beef and Lamb (Best Beef Chili), Seafood (Fish Tacos), and Breakfast and Brunch (Spinach, Prosciutto and Gruyere Strata). There is also a section full of tips and techniques for using the slow cooker and additions, as well as a metric conversion chart.

Each recipe includes prep time, slow cooker time, servings, slow cooker jump starts, prep, how to assemble ingredients in slow cooker, how to serve the dish, and how to store leftovers. A definite plus in my eyes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicki Sizemore, and Storey Publishing for a chance to review this 4 star cookbook.

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the convenience of using the slow cooker to have a hot meal ready when we get home after school, work and activities. I jumped at the chance to check out a review copy or "Fresh Flavours for the Slow Cooker". So many slow cooker recipes are along the lines of "put chicken in the crockpot and dump a can of xyz in with it and hit START". This book does not have any of those sort of recipes. The cookbook is full of recipes that use fresh ingredients and many of the recipes have steps that you do on the stovetop (like toasting spices) before putting ingredients in the slow cooker. The recipes are accompanied by color photos which make them even more tempting.

So far I've cooked a couple of recipes and have a few more bookmarked. The boys and I made some slow cooker applesauce using the honey crisp apples we picked at the orchard last week. The apple sauce "tasted real" according to my son. The recipe was easy and the result was delicious and a perfect way to use up those excessive quantities of apples from the orchard. I also made the Fajita-stuffed Sweet Potatoes. This made for great vegetarian dinner entree but would also make a good side dish. The cookbook also had lots of helpful tips about what parts of the recipe can be prepared ahead which helps make meal planning even easier.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cupcake Book Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains tips on when to use a slow cooker versus a multi-cooker, when to saute or seared meat or veggies before they go on the crockpot, and which quick-cooking veggies to add last.
Recipes for Side or vegetarian dishes such as
-White bean and vegetable minestrone
-Greens and cheese lasagna
-Squash curry
-Fajita sweet potatoes and homemade guacamole

Main meat dishes such as
-Garlic lemon whole chicken
-Sticky ginger spareribs
-Pulled pork sandwiches
-Carnitas tacos
-Best beef chili
-Easy ground beef bolognese
-Lamb gyros (including a recipe for homemade tzatziki sauce)
-Lamb ragu
and other fun ethnic dishes including Korean, Thai, and Indian recipes.
Seafood dishes (yes, with tips on how you can cook fish to perfection in a slow cooker!), such as
-Easy lime cod with tomato corn salad
-Ginger glazed salmon with quinoa cucumber salad
-Fish tacos with sriracha mayo
-Easy bouillabaisse (a delicious fish and shrimp stew) with garlic croutons
Of course, the best for last, some of the breakfast recipes include
-Overnight pumpkin brown rice pudding
-Cheddar cheese grits with bacon greens and fried eggs
-French toast casserole
-Spinach, prosciutto (or bacon), and gruyere (Swiss) cheese strata

With two bonus recipes for peach butter and homemade applesauce! This book is a perfect gift for busy moms, newlyweds, or anyone who owns a slow cooker! There are sure to be recipes here they’ve never tried before!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always had a slow cooker since I first got married 34 years ago. Over the years I have pulled it out to use on occasion. But I'll admit, I don't use it as often as I should or could. In going through all my gadgets and appliances, I decided that I needed to start using them more often. So was extremely excited to get a chance to look over this new cookbook, Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker by Nicki Sizemore.

First I have to say this book has gorgeous photos! They say you eat with your eyes first, and with this cookbook, you'll get your fill. Lots of variety in the recipes & I have many marked to try. I'm especially looking forward to trying the fish recipes in the slow cooker. I haven't really seen a lot of seafood recipes in slow cooker cookbooks, but the photos looked delicious and can't wait to try them out! Fish Tacos with Sriracha Mayo with Lime & Cilantro Slaw, Moroccan Braised Halibut with Mint & Pistachio Pesto & Easy Bouillabaisse with Garlic Aioli Croutons are just a few recipes I'm planning on trying in the near future! Recipes also have "Slow Cooker  Jump Starts" to help you get ahead of the game by prepping in advance, which is always helpful. This is definitely a cookbook  I look forward to using.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

Frequently, slow cooker cookbooks are filled with ho-hum recipes. Not this book. The photos are bright and they make the recipes appear mouthwatering!
Along with the slow cooker recipes, the author includes recipes for taste tempting side dishes, homemade breads, and fresh salads, making for a complete meal. This makes the recipes great for company as well as a midweek dinner at home. Included in this book are chapters on vegetable dishes, breakfast/brunch recipes, and seafood, as well as the various meat recipes. I was especially interested in the seafood recipes and the use of a ‘foil
sling’ when preparing seafood in the slow cooker.
Several recipes I intend to try are: fish tacos, pulled pork, turkey meatballs, and
green and cheese lasagne. This is a great addition to the shelf of any cookbook collector.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really pleased to get a copy of this book as I find the slow cooker invaluable when I don't have much time.

I was a bit disappointed as I am vegetarian and the vegetarian section of the book seems to have mainly stews and soups, which I was hoping to avoid. I did learn some good tips such as baking sweet potatoes in the slow cooker, which I didn't know was possible!

Sadly I am in the UK and all the measurements for all the ingredients in the book are in American measurements, with no conversions next to them. This really put my off a lot of the recipes as I would have to go through and convert each individual measurement myself. I was also put off some of the recipes which called for ingredients which are not readily available in the UK - yes, we can get them, but not at every single supermarket and they are usually expensive, such as canned pumpkin and challah bread.

All in all, I do think this would be a really good book for those in the USA - just not for UK readers.

[Doreen Prentiss Gabriellini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker intrigued me. Considering that most slow cooker recipes are ho-hum and traditionally are repetitive. The book is broken up into five parts: Vegetables, Chicken Turkey and Pork, Beef and Lamb, Seafood, and finally Breakfast and Brunch.
Each recipe out of the 75+ in the book has wonderful instructions and many with explanations. The breakfast section is extremely interesting because the ingredients can be assembled the night before so breakfast is ready in the morning. Chef Sizemore has also added to most recipes sides and accompaniments to go with the recipes for an entire healthy meal. The photos are also excellent. Well done!

I would like to thank the publisher, the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sue Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and want a hard copy as this is definitely a media form which lends itself best to physical pages rather than digital in my opinion. However as a way to review an as yet unpublished title, a PDF has had to suffice.
Often cookery books focusing on one piece of kitchen equipment are dull and container mediocre recipes with poor photography. Not this one! I will be making good use of the ideas provided including all the useful tips given even before the actual food is dealt with. I also love having side dish recipes which naturally can be 'mixed and matched'. This has inspired me to get out the slow cooker again despite it being summer as I write. (I usually only have my slow cooker out for winter stews) Definitely recommended.

[Tanya R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love my Crock Pot!

We are trying to be a bit more frugal and eat out less since everything is so expensive right now. During my really busy days at work, I tend to want to get take-out so I can relax instead of cooking dinner for the next 20-40 minutes. My Crock Pot allows me to have everything all done and ready to go with just a few minutes of effort in the morning before my day gets started.

The only drawback for me is that my current recipes feel like they are all one note. All the same colors and flavors. I love that this Fresh Flavors book has new meals for me to consider and several tips and tricks that were really helpful.

Loved it!

Thank you to #StoreyPublishing and #NetGalley for the opportunity to review this cookbook. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Patrica Liebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and Storey Publishing for an honest review.
I love the flavours that you can obtain in slow cooking and I think my favourite kitchen appliance is my slow cooker. That being said although many cooks have their favourite recipes it is wonderful when you get a cookbook that gives the cook a whole slew of new and tasty recipes to enjoy with your family. It is a very cold winter where I am and the slow cooker and tasty food are a must for me. recipes tried 'Garlic-Lemon Whole Chicken with Fingerling Potatoes & Fennel + Parsley Pesto' and Pot Roast with Potato Puree. Both were very tasty. I recommend this cookbook for those recipe and the the rest.

[Lavern Lindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are NOT your mother's crock pot recipes! I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring this book and trying the recipes! My family's all-time favorite recipe in this book is Thai Curried Chicken and Rice Noodles. I have made it at least 4 times since I received this book. I've also enjoyed most of the breakfast recipes, especially the Overnight Pumpkin-Brown Rice Pudding. There are few things better than waking up to a satisfying hot breakfast and it definitely fits that bill! These are only two of the many recipes I tried from the book, all were tasty and eye-appealing. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had expected to try some of these recipes but then a family emergency happened which has had my attention devoted to health care. The book is a wonderful collection of recipes and tips that sound fantastic. I like that there are recipes for fresh sauces since preservatives can be an issue along with high sodium levels of canned products.

I can’t wait to give these a try. I like the way the cookbook is organized, plenty of prep tips and fresh ingredients sprinkled throughout.

Looking forward to seeing a hard or soft copy version of this book.

I was given an opportunity to preview this book by Netgalley and am not required to give a positive review.