Phyllis Pellman Good

Tips for Using Your Slow Cooker, rather than being a cookbook, is rather Hints from Heloise on slow cookers. I should have known better from the title, but it never occurred to me that someone would compile a 176-page slow-cooker book without including some recipes. I found myself first scanning, then abandoning the book.

If you're brand new to slow cookers, it's worth a glance, although just barely; otherwise, opt for a real cookbook like Fix-it and Forget-it Cookbook, Cooking Light show more Slow-Cooker Tonight!: 140 delicious weeknight recipes that practically cook themselves, or one of the many other fine slow-cooker cookbooks. show less

“Stock the Crock: 100 Must-Have Slow-Cooker Recipes, 200 Variations for Every Appetite”, by Phyllis Good, is one of the most delicious cookbooks that I have ever had the pleasure to read. Yes, that’s right—I wanted to eat the whole book! The book is filled with 100 amazing recipes—with variations—plus fabulous food photos, helpful hints, and tempting tasty tidbits to tease and tantalize your appetite. Phyllis Good is a New York Times bestselling author who has sold more than 12 show more million cookbooks—this lady definitely knows her way around a slow cooker! Her food is fantastic, and her innovative techniques shine a modern spotlight on a time-proven cooking method. Her recipes are creative, colorful, and irresistible. Here are some standouts: “Butternut Squash Soup with Apples and Red Onions”; “Beef Noodle Soup”; “Creole-Style Red Beans”; “Chicken from Heaven”; “Creamy Chicken, Stuffing, and Green Beans”; “Swedish Meatballs from Grandma Brenneman”; “Shepherd’s Pie”; “Vera’s Famous Beef Roast”; “Holiday Ham with Apricot Glaze”; “Green Beans and Bacon”; “The Whole Deal Baked Beans!”; “Baked Potatoes—White & Sweet”; “Berry Wonderful Fruit Crisp”; “Coconut Rice Pudding”; “Pecan Squares”; “Raspberry Chocolate Cake”; “Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with Sauce”; and “Homemade Honey Barbeque Sauce”. There is something here for everyone. Phyllis Good is also the author of the hugely popular “Fix It & Forget It” cookbook series.

Book Copy Gratis Oxmoor House via Shelf Awareness show less

This book certainly has many recipes. Many seem redundant, as if they took every recipe submitted and stuck them in the book. Sometimes this really works for me if I don't like exactly one recipe I can combine ideas. I am ambivalent about the usefulness of this book by itself. On one hand choice is good. On the other hand picking a recipe seems like a crap shoot.
My other quibble is the heavy usage of prepared food in the recipes. What is the point of a slow cooker if you use dried soup mix show more or canned vegis? Just throw an onion or carrot in for crying out loud!
There are no photos and the book is a paperback with glued binding, but it has stood up to the use. It is an OK book, but not the first book I would have bought for someone just starting to cook show less

I love the simplicity of this cookbook. It has a little of everything from breads to preserving to main courses. The only pictures are random ones without explanation which I didn't like. I think 3.5 stars is more appropriate for this book.