Good - Fix it and forget it Christmas slow cooker feasts: 650 easy holiday recipes

The Fix-It and Forget-It series is the countrys bestselling crockpot cookbook series. The six books in the series compile edited versions of recipes contributed by everyday cooks and have sold more than nine million copies. Publishers Weekly The author who came in second to Rachael Ray in total foodie sales was Phyllis Good, who does not have a TV show. Summary of Bestsellers Publishers Weekly One reason why the books are so popular is that they arent intended for folks who dabble in cooking as a hobby or a whim. The audience that I have in mind is those who have to cook every day of the week, says Good. Los Angeles Times Goods books have sold more in the United States than the combined works of popular Food Network hosts Ina Garten, Giada De Laurentiis, and Jamie Oliver.

The New York Times Front-page feature One of the losses in our lives is that its so hard to sit down at the dinner table, night after night, and have parents and children eating together, says Phyllis Good. With the slow cooker, you can prepare food early and bring everyone together at the table, she says. It helps immensely. The Associated Press

All inquiries should be addressed to Good Books, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Good Books books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Good Books, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or . Good Books is an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Comb bound ISBN: 978-1-68099-177-2 Paperback ISBN: 978-1-68099-176-5 ebook ISBN: 978-1-68099-180-2 Cover illustration and illustrations throughout the book by Cheryl Benner Design by Cliff Snyder Printed in China The information in this book has been developed with care and accuracy and is presented in good faith. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Comb bound ISBN: 978-1-68099-177-2 Paperback ISBN: 978-1-68099-176-5 ebook ISBN: 978-1-68099-180-2 Cover illustration and illustrations throughout the book by Cheryl Benner Design by Cliff Snyder Printed in China The information in this book has been developed with care and accuracy and is presented in good faith.

However, no warranty is given nor are results guaranteed. Neither the author nor the publisher has control over the materials or procedures used, and neither has any liability for any loss or damage related to the use of information contained in the book. Should any corrections be needed, they will be posted at www.GoodBooks.com. Table of Contents Welcome to Fix-It and Forget-It Christmas Slow Cooker Feasts It seemed like a good idea If youve invited your family or your special friends or neighbors to your home for a holiday meal, you might be caught somewhere between anticipation and dread right now. Who doesnt like to have loved ones around the table, murmuring with delight about the food theyve been eating? But which of us hasnt had panic nearly paralyze us on the way to that lovely moment? Running out Or maybe your energy and your cooking ideas left you before your holiday guests did? How do you prepare without running out of timeor graciousness? Never fear. You absolutely can make holiday meals with ease and with pleasure! Beat the panic Most of us prepare dozens of meals during the 60 days between early November and early January.

Well, here are 600 manageable slow-cooker recipes (plus 50 Go-Alongs)all from cooks who want to feast with their loved ones without being exhausted and frazzled. Phyllis Good A bonus Don't miss the Ideas for Meaningful Holidays and Happy Hosting Tips, spread among the recipes. One more reason that this cookbook can quickly become your kitchen companion. Thank you, all you wonderful cooks and hosts who so generously shared your holiday recipes and tips for happiness at this special time of year. And thank you, too, testers, for your care and comments. Each of you has demonstrated the wonder of hospitality.

Make this cookbook your own Most of the recipes in this collection are flexible and forgiving. Youll notice that most of them offer a range of cooking times; many of the recipes suggest optional ingredients. Make this book your own. Write in it. Note the cooking time that worked for you. Star the recipe you liked.

If you added or subtracted ingredients, write them in the neighboring column. Flip to the Index and put a big dot next to a recipe you especially liked. Then you can spot it at a glance when youre looking for cooking inspiration. One more thing These recipes work at any time of the year! Dont restrict them to your holiday table. Christmas Smells Mary Kathryn Yoder Harrisonville, MO Prep. box whole cloves 1-oz. box cinnamon sticks 2 bay leaves 1. box cinnamon sticks 2 bay leaves 1.

Pour water into 2-qt. slow cooker so its half to full. 2. Add all other ingredients. Stir well. Cover. Cover.

Turn cooker to High until mixture boils. 4. Remove lid. Reduce heat to Low. Let mixture simmer and fill your home with good smells. Add water as needed.

Note: Do not leave your house with Christmas Smells cooking. This needs continual checking so it doesnt boil dry. Tips for Using Your Slow Cooker
A Friendly Holiday Appliance . What to buy A good standard size for a household of four is a 4-quart slow cooker. But holiday-time may be the perfect opportunity to add to your slow-cooker collection. one or two medium cookers (4- or 5-quart) Do your vegetables in these. one or two medium cookers (4- or 5-quart) Do your vegetables in these.

Or if youre cooking for a smaller group, you can do your main dish in one or both of them. Dont forget that you can prepare brunch dishes or desserts in these, too. one or two small cookers (1- 3-quart) These are ideal for dips, breakfast fruit, dessert toppings, and more. Cookers which allow you to program On, the length of the cooking time, and Off, are convenient. If your model doesnt include that feature, you might want to get a digital appliance timer, which gives you that option. Make sure the timer is adequate for the electrical flow that your cooker demands.

A baking insert, a cooking rack, a temperature probe, and an insulated carrying tote are all useful additions offered with some models. Or you can buy some of them separately by going to the manufacturers websites. . Learn to know your slow cooker Some newer slow cookers cook at a very high temperature. You can check the temperature of your slow cooker this way: Place 2 quarts of water in your slow cooker. Cover.

Heat on Low 8 hours. Lift the lid. Immediately check the water temp with an accurate thermometer. The temperature of the water should be 185F. If the temperature is higher, foods may overcook and you should reduce the overall cooking time. . .

Maximizing what a slow cooker does best Slow cookers tend to work best when theyre full. You many need to increase the cooking time if youve exceeded that amount, or reduce it if youve put in less than that. Cut the hard veggies going into your cooker into chunks of about equal size. In other words, make your potato and carrot pieces about the same size. Then theyll be done cooking at nearly the same time. Softer veggies, like bell peppers and zucchini, cook faster, so they dont need to be cut as small.