The book’s pages are filled with classic slow-cooker meals converted to use fresh ingredients, as well as other family favorites adapted for the hands-off method. To incorporate this wide variety of dinner options influenced by an eclectic array of cuisines, the content ranges from soups and stews to hearty main dishes to unexpected inclusions like sandwiches, tacos, and wraps.
Some familiar recipes with distinctive twists include Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup, Sloppy Joe Meatloaf, and Mini Pulled-Pork Pizzas. Others reflect Samantha’s traditional Southern roots such as Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Pie Crust Dippers and Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon. Her Texas heritage shines in meals like Mexican Pot Roast with Borracho Beans and her personal favorite from the book, King Ranch Chicken Soup, a freshened-up take on the iconic casserole. Readers will also notice original innovations such as Bacon-Wrapped Peach Jalapeño Pork Loin, German Rouladen-Style Beef Cutlets, and Citrus-Glazed Cornish Hens.
Woven in with the recipes are tidbits that detail heartfelt memories and helpful background information, as well as specific on-page tips. The book offers a guide to slow-cooker basics, a bonus chapter with homemade seasonings and stocks, and a photo to accompany every dish—all taken by Samantha herself.
Ultimately, the author’s goal is that this book help people rethink the way they use their slow cookers. “Sometimes the slow cooker gets a bad rap that every recipe ends up tasting the same,” she says. “I’ve actually felt that way myself, but these recipes are fresh, flavorful, and distinct. They are tasty, wholesome, and made from scratch.
“I hope this cookbook will make people’s lives easier when preparing a homemade dinner, and I’d love for these meals to bring families together around the dinner table.”
Published by Page Street Publishing Co., Real Food Slow Cooker Suppers is available at booksellers nationwide. Continue reading for a few of the recipes and a chance to get a copy of the book.
