Hope Comerford - Fix-It and Forget-It Big Book of Keto Recipes: 275 Healthy Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Favorites

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Following a keto diet has never been easier with this big book full of 500 keto-friendly recipes. Ive taken the guesswork out of What should I eat? for you and compiled hundreds of recipes that follow keto guidelines. Most of the recipes are for your slow cooker or Instant Pot (look for the little orange icons below the recipe titles), but you'll also find recipes to make on the stove-top, in your oven, on the grill, or in the microwave or freezer! Remember that your Instant Pot also has a slow cooker function, so any slow cooker recipes in this book can also be made in your Instant Pot.

Whether youre new to the keto diet or a keto veteran, youre sure to find lots of new ideas and recipes to enjoy. So dig in, find lots of new favorites, and enjoy the delicious, flavorful, healthy keto recipes in this brand-new cookbook.

A keto diet involves eating foods high in fat and low in carbs. By lowering the level of carbs you are eating and increasing the amount of fat youre eating to replace the carbs, your body goes into a metabolic state known as ketosis. You will also find this is a no-sugar diet. There are several natural (plant-based) sweeteners recommended for those following a keto diet, and you will see those throughout the book in various recipes.

It is also said that by following a keto diet, your blood sugar and insulin levels decrease dramatically. Many believe there are some major health benefits to achieve by following this diet, including weight loss. As always, it is recommended that you consult your physician before beginning any diet to make sure it is the right choice for you. If you choose to follow this diet, we hope you have great success and that this book helps you along your journey.

Youll find basic nutrition info below each recipe. Please keep in mind that it is approximate and does not take into account any optional ingredients.

The numbers reflect the following units of measurement:

• Calories = kilocalories
• Fat = grams
• Sodium = milligrams
• Carbs = grams
• Sugar = grams
• Protein = grams

Those of us who use slow cookers frequently know we have our own preferences when it comes to which slow cooker we choose to use. For instance, I love my programmable slow cooker, but there are many programmable slow cookers Ive tried that Ive strongly disliked. Why? Because some go by increments of 15 or 30 minutes and some go by 4, 6, 8, or 10 hours. I dislike those restrictions, but I have family and friends who dont mind them at all! I am also pretty brand loyal when it comes to my manual slow cookers because Ive had great success with those and have had unsuccessful moments with slow cookers of other brands. So, which slow cooker(s) is/are best for your household? It really depends on how many people youre feeding and if youre gone for long periods of time.

Here are my recommendations:

Advantages:

• You can fit a loaf pan or a baking dish into a 6- or 7-quart, depending on the shape of your cooker. That allows you to make bread or cakes, or even smaller quantities of main dishes. (Take your favorite baking dish and loaf pan along when you shop for a cooker to make sure theyll fit inside.)
• You can feed large groups of people, or make larger quantities of food, allowing for leftovers, or meals, to freeze.

Disadvantages:

• They take up more storage room.
• They dont fit as neatly into a dishwasher.
• If your crock isnt full, you may burn your food.

Advantages:

• Theyre great for lots of appetizers, for serving hot drinks, for baking cakes straight in the crock, and for dorm rooms or apartments.
• Great option for making recipes of smaller quantities.

Disadvantages:

• Food in smaller quantities tends to cook more quickly than larger amounts. So keep an eye on it.
• Chances are, you wont have many leftovers. So, if you like to have leftovers, a smaller slow cooker may not be a good option for you.

Have at least two slow cookers; one around 3 to 4 quarts and one 6 quarts or larger. A third would be a huge bonus (and a great advantage to your cooking repertoire!).

The advantage of having at least a couple is you can make a larger variety of recipes. Also, you can make at least two or three dishes at once for a whole meal.

If you are gone for only six to eight hours a day, a manual slow cooker might be just fine for you. If you are gone for more than eight hours during the day, I would highly recommend purchasing a programmable slow cooker that will switch to warm when the cook time you set is up. It will allow you to cook a wider variety of recipes.

The two I use most frequently are my 4-quart manual slow cooker and my 6-quart programmable slow cooker. I like that I can make smaller portions in my 4-quart slow cooker on days I dont need or want leftovers, but I also love how my 6-quart slow cooker can accommodate whole chickens, turkey breasts, hams, or big batches of soups. I use them both often.

Plan a little time to get acquainted with your slow cooker. Each slow cooker has its own personalityjust like your oven (and your car). Plus, many new slow cookers cook hotter and faster than earlier models.

I think that with all of the concern for food safety, the slow cooker manufacturers have amped up their settings so that High, Low, and Warm are all higher temperatures than in the older models. That means they cook hotterand therefore, fasterthan the first slow cookers. The beauty of these little machines is that theyre supposed to cook low and slow. We count on that when we flip the switch in the morning before we leave the house for ten hours or so. So, because none of us knows what kind of temperament our slow cooker has until we try it out, nor how hot it cooksdont assume anything. Save yourself a disappointment and make the first recipe in your new slow cooker on a day when youre at home.

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