This book is everything. It is Slow Cooker: The Best Cookbook Ever by Diane Phillips. And it truly is the best slow cooker cookbook I have ever used. Without a doubt. This slow cooker book has over 400 recipes and I have yet to make one that hasn't been raved about. You won't find many photos in this book, but if you can follow a recipe and are fairly experienced in the kitchen, you will do fine and love this book. This is not your typical crock pot cookbook that calls for five ingredients and a can of Campbell's soup. These recipes involve browning the meat before dumping into the slow cooker, and lots of unexpected (but tasty and not hard to find) ingredients that take each recipe to another level. Some of my most used recipes from this book are Tarragon Chicken, Chicken with Figs and Balsamic, Chicken Tagine, Shrimp Chowder, Back Bay Corn Chowder, Chicken Mushroom and Barley Soup, Bistro Dijon Sirloin, Smothered Pork Chops….I could go on and on. It is my most used cookbook, probably ever.
Diane Phillips is an amazing cookbook author. I have many of her books and they are all heavily used, heavily marked, and have tons of little Post It flags marking the recipes I have tried and loved. I have her Perfect Party Food book, which is a must for any type of entertaining. It is what I reach for when I go to a big Sunday dinner at my father's house. That book is worth it just for the corn pudding recipe alone (Gulliver's Corn). The book is full of make-ahead, take-along, delicious recipes that everyone always seems to like and ask for again. It is full of salads, great suggestions for buffets, and some wonderful soups and stews.
She also has a great book called The Ultimate Rotisserie Chicken Cookbook, and another one called You've Got It Made: Recipes to make now and bake later. Both of those are really good as well.
This is my most recent cookbook and is already a hit with the family and me. Step By Step Instant Pot Cookbook by Jeffrey Eisner. Jeffrey first came to my attention on YouTube. He has a channel called "Pressure Luck" (lol for clever title), where he does step by step recipes for the Instant Pot. When I got my Instant Pot last year I started watching his videos and trying his recipes. Everything I made turned out, made tons, and was enjoyed by my husband. Now Jeffrey has a kind of corny sense of humor, but seems like a lovable teddy bear of a guy. His first cookbook (in the photo above) was just recently published. And you know what I really like about this cookbook?
Yes! Photos of every single step of the recipe! You can also go back to his YouTube channel and watch his videos as many of the recipes in his book were done on there first. If you like your cookbooks to have photos and if you like being held by the hand and led through each step of a recipe, you will love this. I will say that his recipes are not low calorie and often have long lists of ingredients, which doesn't scare me. I have three Instant Pot cookbooks by other authors and this book is without a doubt the best one I have seen and used.
If you are tired of cooking the same thing all the time and want some new ideas, both these books will fit the bill. Obviously they both call for small appliances (a slow cooker or an Instant Pot), but if you have those on hand already, you will definitely get some terrific ideas on how to use them. Something different to do while stuck inside sheltering in place, right? Give them a try.
I wish I got paid for recommending things, but I sure don't. My posts are never sponsored and I only talk about things I have bought myself and love.
24 responses to “My Favorite Cookbooks Lately”
You always recommend the best books; thanks for the tips.
You always recommend the best books; thanks for the tips.
You always recommend the best books; thanks for the tips.
I have “You’ve Got It Made”, so I’ll check out the first book you recommended. I’m surprised at how some people are almost offended that to get great food out of a slow cooker you need to do something besides dump ingredients in, but it’s a world of difference.
I’ll also be checking out the YouTube guy, on YouTube for a preview. I’ve not dug in and learned much about my Instant Pot but want to. The big bonus of both of these appliances is that don’t use a lot of energy or generate the same level of heat your stove and oven do. Those a big bonuses in the summer at our house, especially because I can often prep things early in the day when it’s cool. Thanks for the recommendations!
I have “You’ve Got It Made”, so I’ll check out the first book you recommended. I’m surprised at how some people are almost offended that to get great food out of a slow cooker you need to do something besides dump ingredients in, but it’s a world of difference.
I’ll also be checking out the YouTube guy, on YouTube for a preview. I’ve not dug in and learned much about my Instant Pot but want to. The big bonus of both of these appliances is that don’t use a lot of energy or generate the same level of heat your stove and oven do. Those a big bonuses in the summer at our house, especially because I can often prep things early in the day when it’s cool. Thanks for the recommendations!
I have “You’ve Got It Made”, so I’ll check out the first book you recommended. I’m surprised at how some people are almost offended that to get great food out of a slow cooker you need to do something besides dump ingredients in, but it’s a world of difference.
I’ll also be checking out the YouTube guy, on YouTube for a preview. I’ve not dug in and learned much about my Instant Pot but want to. The big bonus of both of these appliances is that don’t use a lot of energy or generate the same level of heat your stove and oven do. Those a big bonuses in the summer at our house, especially because I can often prep things early in the day when it’s cool. Thanks for the recommendations!
I enjoy a good cookbook & recipes that do more than ‘dump’ ingredients together! I have a crock pot but haven’t waded into Instant Pot territory yet. This staying-at-home-24/7-stuff may push me into that appliance adventure soon, though! Meanwhile, I’m making masks for my hairdresser & the others in her shop so that when they receive the okay they’re ready to go. My local quilt shop helped me choose fabric on the phone that would be cute & salon-ish. They’re offering curbside pick-up & made shopping without shopping easy. Stay well!
I enjoy a good cookbook & recipes that do more than ‘dump’ ingredients together! I have a crock pot but haven’t waded into Instant Pot territory yet. This staying-at-home-24/7-stuff may push me into that appliance adventure soon, though! Meanwhile, I’m making masks for my hairdresser & the others in her shop so that when they receive the okay they’re ready to go. My local quilt shop helped me choose fabric on the phone that would be cute & salon-ish. They’re offering curbside pick-up & made shopping without shopping easy. Stay well!
I enjoy a good cookbook & recipes that do more than ‘dump’ ingredients together! I have a crock pot but haven’t waded into Instant Pot territory yet. This staying-at-home-24/7-stuff may push me into that appliance adventure soon, though! Meanwhile, I’m making masks for my hairdresser & the others in her shop so that when they receive the okay they’re ready to go. My local quilt shop helped me choose fabric on the phone that would be cute & salon-ish. They’re offering curbside pick-up & made shopping without shopping easy. Stay well!
Wonderful reviews. Thank you Nicole. You have inspired me for sure. Take care and be safe.
Mary
Wonderful reviews. Thank you Nicole. You have inspired me for sure. Take care and be safe.
Mary
Wonderful reviews. Thank you Nicole. You have inspired me for sure. Take care and be safe.
Mary
I just might have to get the slow cooker cookbook!
I just might have to get the slow cooker cookbook!
I just might have to get the slow cooker cookbook!
I’ve been trying lots of new recipes here, too. Anything to have a bit of change…anything. ;p
I’ve been trying lots of new recipes here, too. Anything to have a bit of change…anything. ;p
I’ve been trying lots of new recipes here, too. Anything to have a bit of change…anything. ;p
I love your blog— I’m sorry i don’t comment more! It is a real treat to see everything you are doing even if it is just little things— II love the Eva updates! You should definitely sign up with Amazon for commissions— it is at no cost to your readers, and you can simply add an announcement on the sidebar to satisfy the FTC requirement! It doesn’t have to be obtrusive and you deserve to get something back for the time and love you put into this. Just sayin, as a friend— everyone is doing it and it is not hard to figure out.
I love your blog— I’m sorry i don’t comment more! It is a real treat to see everything you are doing even if it is just little things— II love the Eva updates! You should definitely sign up with Amazon for commissions— it is at no cost to your readers, and you can simply add an announcement on the sidebar to satisfy the FTC requirement! It doesn’t have to be obtrusive and you deserve to get something back for the time and love you put into this. Just sayin, as a friend— everyone is doing it and it is not hard to figure out.
I love your blog— I’m sorry i don’t comment more! It is a real treat to see everything you are doing even if it is just little things— II love the Eva updates! You should definitely sign up with Amazon for commissions— it is at no cost to your readers, and you can simply add an announcement on the sidebar to satisfy the FTC requirement! It doesn’t have to be obtrusive and you deserve to get something back for the time and love you put into this. Just sayin, as a friend— everyone is doing it and it is not hard to figure out.
Love your recommendations! Crockpots and instants are the best! Love the one pot dinners and the feeling of accomplishment after letting something sit for hours 😂
Love your recommendations! Crockpots and instants are the best! Love the one pot dinners and the feeling of accomplishment after letting something sit for hours 😂
Love your recommendations! Crockpots and instants are the best! Love the one pot dinners and the feeling of accomplishment after letting something sit for hours 😂