Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I got this book two days ago and have already tried two recipes,the Garlicky Poached Shrimp and the Fudgie Brownie Wedges. Both recipes were amazing and highlight the fact that this cookbook has much more than the typical set-and-forget braises you find in most slow cooker recipes (though there are still plenty to satisfy). I was pleased by the number of soups which look bright and fresh. I also appreciate that America's Test Kitchen listened to the complaints from volume 1. Volume 1 recipes required a good deal of prep and took much of the convenience out of using a slow cooker. As the "easy prep" volume, all recipes require 15 minutes or less of preparation. This is very convenient and means I will be cooking from this cookbook in years to come. Given the choice between volume 1 and 2 I would pick volume 2. It is the unequivocal winner. You will learn to use your slow cooker in creative ways and get the convenience of a slow cooker mixed with ATK's near perfect recipes. Update (11/16/2013): Since purchasing this book, I have made 17 of the recipes contained in the book. Of those recipes only one was a recipe I will not be making again (Tortellini with Creamy Wild Mushroom Sauce). The rest of the recipes are fantastic. These recipes came from various sections including desserts, recipes for two, casseroles, and appetizers. In response to some comments which have criticized the use of convenience products and the nutrition of some recipes, please understand that this book focuses first on flavor and second on convenience. This book is balanced in its use of convenience products (only when necessary to prevent problems that plague slow cooking) and contains a fair balance of healthy and unhealthy recipes. Though many of these recipes stray from the typical 8-10 hour stews and use shorter cooking times (3-6 hours in some cases) also note that these recipes are designed for modern slow cookers which are often programmable. In general, I stick by my five star review. This cookbook covers a much broader range of recipe styles than most and will change the way you think about slow cooking. In this book you will find everything from comfort food to vegetarian to cooking-for-two to dessert. Here are some of the five star recipes I have tried: Chicken Mole Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps Farmhouse Chicken Casserole Thanksgiving Turkey Pot Pie Quinoa and Vegetable Stew Hearty Vegetarian Chile White Chocolate and Cherry Bread Pudding