Review of The Healthy Slow Cooker, Second Edition (Gluten Free)

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I was sent a free copy of The Healthy Slow Cooker: 135 Gluten-Free Recipes for Health and Wellness for review purposes. Affiliate links were used in this post, but only to link to items I would be discussing and linking to in any case.

I am afraid I do not have a recipe for you today. I am reviewing Judith Finlayson’s The Healthy Slow Cooker: 135 Gluten-Free Recipes for Health and Wellness, which is a Robert Rose publication. Robert Rose prefers you do not share recipes beyond a select few (for more about how I review books and why I choose to review the way I do see my review of  Easy Indian Cooking), and because they sent me the book to review I abide by their wishes.

I was attracted to this cookbook mainly because I am new to the slow cooker and therefore find inspiration everywhere. For example, I previously might not have attempted seafood in the slow cooker, not having any idea how long to cook it without drying it out. As with all Robert Rose publication, the presentation is utilitarian–this is a cookbook you use, not one you really read for pleasure. But there are many options, all gluten free, including vegetarian, seafood, poultry and meat–and even some desserts! So if you use your slow cooker, I think you will find inspiration here.

The first recipe to catch my eye–and therefore the first one I made (although I was influenced by time of year) was the Onion Braised Shrimp (page 170). My main changes were to increase the spices and aromatics (par for the course for me) and then add frozen peas at the end. This meal was a big hit with my family, especially John, who loves shrimp in just about any creamy curry presentation.

I mentioned I am having surgery on Monday–well I think this book will be great for guiding Alex in cooking for the family that first week. I especially have my eye on Spicy Peanut Chicken and the Moroccan Style Chicken with Prunes and Quinoa. My kids have been begging for rice pudding lately also, and there are a few recipes for that in the dessert section. The more I think about it–literally while writing this post–I will have Alex practice putting the slow cooker onto its base and see if she is strong enough. If so she could even do the sautéing on the cooktop first. (Did I mention she just turned 9? Ack! My baby is getting so old!)

One last bit of housekeeping: because of this unexpected surgery (and the various tests that have preceded it) I was unable to take part in Creative Cookie Exchange this month. But they have a great theme (Red White and Blue!) with some pretty awesome looking cookies–so I really suggest you go check them out!