As the summer ends and the promise of cooler weather begins, excitement for pumpkins, pecans, and pies grows. But with those fall treats come thoughts of cold nights and warm stews, cooked low and slow in a crock pot for a delicious and tender meal with minimal effort.
Slow cooking isn't a new method, with documented evidence of low and slow cooking going back to the 18th century, and possibly even further back in history in some cultures. During the Sabbath, when cooking was prohibited, Jewish families would cook a Beef and Bean Stew called cholent by bringing the pots to the local bakery the night before the Sabbath and using the residual heat from the ovens to slowly cook the stew.
The current iteration of the slow-cooking appliance wasn't invented until the 1930s. Inventor Irving Nachumsohn's (aka Irving Naxom) first pot was called the Naxon Beanery, patented in 1940 and put on the market in the 1950s. Despite the potential of the pot, it did not reach popularity during this time. When he retired in 1970, Naxom sold his company to Kansas City’s Rival Manufacturing, who then rebranded the Naxom Beanery into the Crock Pot and managed to make the pot into a multimillion-dollar success.
Dive into the endless recipes available for crockpots and enjoy the sweet smell of not having to cook dinner after work. Browse the library catalog for various cookbooks available for checkout. Food magazines and digital cookbooks are available for checkout on Libby.
Interested in drinks and drafts? Head over to Potions Class: Cocktails, Mocktails, and More for a brief history and information about relevant books that are available in the library collection.
Cookbooks
Fix-It and Forget-It Best of Fall Recipes: Quick and Delicious Slow Cooker Meals - Hope Comerford
Fall is here, and so is the busy season of Thanksgiving parties and cooking for big groups. But don't let stress get in the way, simply take out your slow cooker and prepare holiday meals for the entire family with ease and joy. Here, we have collected the very best slow cooker recipes and fan favorites that capture the spirit of fall. Wow your guests and loved ones with healthy and delicious seasonal offerings that cover appetizers, soups and stews, meaty and vegetarian mains, breakfast, beverages, and desserts. Selected from some of the best home cooks across the country, these more than 150 super-easy family-friendly meals will be the life of the party.
The Southern Slow Cooker Bible: 365 Easy and Delicious Down-Home Recipes - Tammy Algood
Some days just call for the comforting flavors of the South. And while those days are often the busiest, your slow cooker is ready to do nearly all the work for you!
Food personality and author Tammy Algood serves up 365 recipes in The Southern Slow Cooker Bible, covering a year's worth of dishes that let you effortlessly pair the flavors of the South with the convenience of slow cooking. Algood covers all the favorites, from whole chapters devoted to Southern mainstays such as grits, macaroni and cheese, stuffed peppers, and pulled pork, you'll find yourself returning to this collection over and over again.
Learn what every good Southern cook knows, that the proper cooking technique can yield positively succulent results for just about any cut of meat. This collection shows you how easy it can be to savor the flavors of those classic Southern recipes your whole family has long adored.
Fix-It and Forget-It Slow Cooker Comfort Foods: 150 Healthy and Nutritious Recipes - Hope Comerford
Everyone wants to feel like a smart cook, but it’s tricky when you’re navigating picky palates, different diets, and tight schedules. Fix-It and Forget-It Healthy Slow Cooker Comfort Food Cookbook has something for everyone, with nutrition info included with every recipe to make sure what you’re cooking fits your family’s needs.
Finally, a cookbook that makes dinner easy, even for families with diverse dietary needs!
Magazines
Popular food magazines with a focus on slow-cooked meals are available through Libby.
