After months of recipe testing and photo sessions, the cookbook is finally here! The Foolproof Family Slow Cooker and Other One-Pot Solutions is available for pre-order NOW and will be in stores soon.
I’m so excited to be just a couple of weeks away from the official release date of my first cookbook. This has truly been a labor of love and a family affair. Anyone who has written a cookbook can attest to the fact that everyone that resides within your home becomes part of the process. My talented son, Jake assisted me with photo shoots and editing and the others happily taste-tested their way through all of the chapters. Not to mention all the dishes… oh, the dishes!
So, to be through the thick of it and at this place now where I can share the book is a joy. To celebrate, I’m giving away two copies of the cookbook at the end of this post!
First, a little about the book. Inside you’re going to find a ton of great slow cooker dinner inspiration but in addition I’ve included everything from appetizers, to breakfast and brunch ideas, to side dishes and even dessert! But, it’s not just a slow cooker cookbook – you’re also going to find a selection of quick and easy one-pot dishes because I know just how much you all love a good one-pot meal.
The book is available for pre-order now (get all of the information HERE).
I received my first copy of the book just before we moved to Oregon earlier this month and it was one of the first things I unpacked upon arrival at our new home. I’ve been cooking from the book over the last couple of weeks and revisiting the recipes has been an absolute delight. It has been so perfect for this busy time of unpacking and settling into our new home. Follow along with me on my Instagram stories to see what’s been cooking in my new kitchen.
A Peek Inside the Cookbook
Let’s take a peek inside the book at the recipes I’ve made since we arrived in our new home as well as some of my other favorites that I look forward to making again soon.
This Big Batch Bolognese was the first recipe from the book to happen in the new house. It’s the perfect recipe to cook on the weekend when you know you’ve got a hectic week ahead (or you’ve just moved out of state and have a bazillion boxes to unpack!). It makes enough to easily split into two or three meals. It freezes beautifully, so freeze half and you can look forward to an incredibly easy pasta meal in the future.
A sampling of more pasta-licious recipes from the book:
- Lasagna Florentine with Tomato Cream Sauce
- Slow-Cooked Short Rib Ragu
- Cheesy Taco Pasta Skillet
- Creamy “Baked” Ziti
Aaah, meatloaf. This Veggie Packed Meatloaf with Barbecue Glaze is one of two meatloaf recipes in the book and is guaranteed to please all ages from toddler up to Grandma and Grandpa. I was known for sneaking veggies into a variety of familiar, comforting dishes to teach my kiddos that veggies are DELICIOUS! This tasty meatloaf is packed with corn, zucchini, carrot, and red bell pepper and it is one of my favorite meatloaf recipes of all time. If you haven’t cooked meatloaf in your slow cooker, I can’t wait for you to try this!
Some other comfort food classics from the book:
- Fall-off-the-Bone Homestyle Chicken and Gravy
- Cajun Barbecue Ribs
- Sausage, Cabbage and Potato Supper
- Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks
I use a make-ahead technique that allows you to get the prep out of the way a day in advance for these Chicken Parmesan Meatball Subs. And they are downright dreamy. Soft, tender, deliciously seasoned, and, so lean! You can serve them on toasted hoagie rolls with plenty of melted provolone as I did here, or pile them over any cooked pasta. They are fabulous.
More tasty sammies:
- Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches
- Barbecue Turkey Joes
- Pulled Pork with Root Beer Barbecue Sauce
If you’ve followed Valerie’s Kitchen for long, you know that a lot of Mexican food is consumed in my house. So, of course, I’ve included a good number of Mexican-inspired recipes in the book. This recipe for Green-Chile Chicken Tacos with Corn Salsa is by far the easiest of the bunch.
Some of the other Mexican-inspired recipes from the book:
- Stacked Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Hearty Tex-Mex Chicken Chili
- Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
- Smoky Chipotle Shredded Beef
The Appetizers and Snacks chapter is full of tasty morsels like these Asian Sesame Party Meatballs. I’ve included these meatballs in several party menus over the past months and they are now solidly at the top of my list of party favorites. My family devours these! They can also be served over rice for a simple dinner.
More from the Appetizers and Snacks chapter:
- Sweet Spiced Cocktail Nuts
- Meaty Queso Dip
- Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Barbecue Cocktail Sausage
No slow cooker cookbook would be complete without a good selection of soups, stews and chilis. This Creamy Tomato-Tortellini Soup is downright dreamy and has been deemed a favorite by my guys.
A sampling of other choices from the Soups, Stews and Chilis chapter:
- Busy Day Italian Vegetable Beef Soup
- Beefy Game-Day Beer Chili
- Balsamic Beef Stew
- Pulled Pork Chili
You’re also going to find a selection of eight family-friendly Breakfast and Brunch recipes, a Sweets chapter filled with recipes that may surprise you, and the recipes for my four favorite spice mixes to help you create many of the recipes from the book and more!
How to Pre-Order The Foolproof Family Slow Cooker and Other One-Pot Solutions
Pre-order the book through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indie Bound, Books-A-Million, or Book Depository. Order now and the book will be shipped to you on September 17. Get all the direct links to the booksellers HERE >>> The Foolproof Family Slow Cooker Pre-Order Information.
How to Enter the Cookbook Giveaway
To enter, just leave a comment on this post and you will be automatically entered to win a copy of The Foolproof Family Slow Cooker and Other One-Pot Solutions.
Let me know what’s been cooking in your kitchen or just say hey, hello, howdy!
And now for the not so small print.
Contest runs through 12:00am PST on September 8, 2019. Two winners will be chosen at random and contacted by email within 48 hours of contest end. Winner must respond within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be chosen. Contest open only to U.S. residents, 18 years and older, and is void where prohibited. Only entries made by commenting on this post are valid for entry.
CONTEST HAS ENDED AND THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. CONGRATULATIONS!
I have made many many of your recipes and they were all enjoyed by my family of 3. Would love to have a copy of your cookbook for future recipes that my granddaughter can make for her family.
Congrats! Lately, because of the heat, I’ve been grilling veggies and using the rice cooker to serve under them.
This cookbook looks fabulous! I’ve been loving Pot Roast made in the slow cooker!
I enjoy your web site with all the recipes keep up the great work
I have been using a crockpot for 46 years. My 1st crockpot cookbook was written by Mabel Hoffman…which I still have. Which includes many dog eared pages and food stains.
I love ALL of your recipes and use them ALOT. You have really kicked it up a notch!
I absolutely love my slow cooker. In the winter or summer it is so easy to throw in and go. Also easy for potlucks and family get togethers. We just built a huge garage (heated in winter) and my husband put so many outlets in it just for get togethers or his card parties. He has even learned how to make a lot of stuff in all my slow cookers. Can’t wait to see your new cookbook.
I would love to win your crock pot cookbook!
But i live in Denmark ?
Congratulations on finishing a cookbook! What a terrific accomplishment! I’ve been on the lookout for some more great slow cooker recipes, this looks like an excellent resource!
I will use this cookbook like no other in my arsenal.
It looks like a very good cook book. I can’t wait to get my copy of your book.
The recipes look wonderful!
Then I saw your sight and thought, “Huh, she’s Italian (I”m Greek) so look up her website, bound to be yummy recipes” Yup, up to expectation and I have made quite a few of your recipes with lots of approval from friends and family.
And now……you have a book!!
YES PLEASE!!!!