Saturday, April 9, 2011

{Cookbook} More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow by Stephanie O'Dea Review and Giveaway Ends 4/21

 

I feel like I've been missing out by not having this amazing cookbook, More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: 200 Brand New Recipes for Slow Cooker Meals on a Budget! The author, Stephanie O'Dea, began her journey of sharing her slow cooker recipes on her blog, A Year of Slow Cooking in 2008. For a whole year, she chronicled her slow cooker meals and soon enough became an internet sensation! She's even made appearances on Good Morning America, and The Rachael Ray Show! This cookbook is the sequel to her first cookbook, Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking, and has more of an emphasis on saving money and making budget-friendly slow cooker meals.

All 200 recipes in the cookbook are gluten-free, family-friendly, and easy to make. Recipes are divided into 3 sections based on their cost to make: $7, $10, or $15. In each of those 3 sections, recipes are then divided by what type of recipe it is such as appetizers, soups & stews, side dishes, poultry, and desserts etc. You can also check out the index in the back for a full list of all the recipes for easy browsing. I am certainly a budget-conscious (former crazy couponing) mom, so I really appreciated the layout of this cookbook.

It's one thing to skim through a cookbook and make assessments about the recipes, and another to actually make them! So, I decided to put on my apron and get in the kitchen! Stephanie was so generous in sending me TWO copies of her fabulous cookbook, More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow. Keep reading and you'll get have the chance to win a copy for yourself!

First, I made the Chicken Enchilada Chili (click to view the full recipe). I have a Chili recipe that I love, but wanted to switch it up a bit and try something new! This is what all the ingredients looked like before I laid the raw chicken on top, and just before starting up the slow cooker:


Looks great, right? Easy ingredients, very little prep involved, and so easy to just walk away until its done. Here is what it looked like before serving with some shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream:


So, what did my family think? Well, I thought the flavor was perfect! It's full of protein and is quite filling. It's a new favorite comfort food of mine, and it tasted even better the second day. Buddy practically licked his plate clean on day two (he was WAY over tired the first night and barely ate a thing before passing out cold shortly after dinner!), but Hubby decided it needed more chili powder. Stephanie's recipe calls for 1-2 teaspoons and I started with one so I wouldn't overdo it. I don't like really spicy foods, but Hubby LOVES anything spicy!

I also attempted the Peanut Butter Cup Cake recipe. Key word there...attempted. I'm sad to report I lack enough culinary skill to even make an easy slow cooker recipe turn out! Here's what mine looked like:

 

Actually, I think I have an idea of what I might need to change next time. I used whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose. Alright cooking smarties out there...is that really going to make that much of a difference? Also, I think my slow cooker cooks things too fast! I think I need to invest in new one. Recommendations, anyone? 

Instead of taking 2-4 hours on high to cook, the cake suddenly smelled a bit burned at only 1 hour and 15 minutes. That's when I turned off my slow cooker and tried to salvage what I could! The peanut butter cake is supposed to rise to the top above a layer of molten chocolate underneath. I did find a few small bites where the molten chocolate was at the bottom and it tasted pretty good. However, the rest was no where near edible. The cake was pretty dry, and the chocolate that was supposed to be on the bottom started to burn on the top. I was really looking forward to dessert too!

I should point out that my failed attempt doesn't mean Stephanie's recipe is not a good one. As mentioned above, the whole wheat flour, my fast-cooking slow cooker, and my lack of cooking experience are probably to blame! I'm looking forward to trying this recipe again, along with many, many other fantastic recipes from Stephanie's cookbook. Almost all of them look simple enough for someone like me to make and not feel completely terrified and intimidated. A lot of recipes I want to make from other cookbooks scare the heck out of me with a huge list of ingredients and loads of time-consuming prep work. This cookbook will hopefully help ease me into cooking more as I master some of these recipes.

Oh, on a side note, while testing out the Peanut Butter Cup Cake recipe, I discovered my cooking spray expired...in 2007!!! Oh the horror! Want to know something else? I still used it...and we're still alive! :) I guess that might tell you how often I don't actually cook. I'm not a great cook and I don't necessarily enjoy cooking. However, I do like my slow cooker and the convenience it brings, especially with a kiddo at my feet! I'm a bit of a perfectionist so sometimes cooking often frustrates me. I'm just a mom, who dreams of cooking at the same level as her mother who just dumps and pours without measuring almost every ingredient, and out comes a delicious masterpiece every time! Some day, I hope to be like my mother and have that ability. Until then, I'll have this cookbook and my slow cooker handy! Thanks Stephanie!! :)

Price: This cookbook is listed at 18.99, but can be purchased for only $10.79 at Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com! A valuable cookbook at a bargain price!

Verdict: Oh delicious, yumminess! As the Amazon.com reviews suggest, this cookbook is actually a cookbook you will use again and again! Seemingly endless prep work to cook a simple meal for my family is such a discouraging task. That's why this cookbook works for me, and probably will for most busy families. I also love that this cookbook is aimed at maximizing your food budget, while still providing your family with healthy choices.

Buy It!
You can purchase More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow at Amazon.com.

Win It!
One winner will receive a copy of the book, More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow!

Rules:

-Leave 1 comment per entry
-Include your email address in each entry
-For complete giveaway rules and help entering, please click HERE


To Enter:

Mandatory Entry: (must be done first)

-Tell me one of Stephanie's recipes you would like to try! (1 entry)

Extra Entries:

-Follow The Reynolds Mom on Google Friend Connect (1 entry)

-Subscribe to Stephanie's blog, A Year of Slow Cooking by reader or email (1 entry each)


-"Like" me on Facebook (1 entry)


-"Like"
Stephanie O'Dea's fan page on Facebook (1 entry)

-Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

-Follow
Stephanie O'Dea on Twitter (1 entry)


-Tweet the following up to 2x/day (at least 1 hour apart). Please leave the URL of each tweet in your entries.
#Win #Cookbook "More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow" by @StephanieODea @TheReynoldsMom Ends 4/21 #Crockpot #Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/3vksds7 (1 entry/tweet)

-Subscribe to my blog by email (3 entries) or RSS feed (2 entries)

-Post my button or post about this giveaway on your blog using at least 4 sentences. Please leave a link to your post (3 entries each)



Thanks for entering and good luck!


Open to US residents only. This giveaway will end on April 21, 2011 at 10pm PST. Winner will be chosen by Random.org, emailed, and announced on my blog shortly after giveaway ends. The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or I reserve the right to declare a new winner.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product(s) to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.

171 comments:

Eve said...

I love a good turkey tetrazinni recipe.

ak_newman at hotmail dot com

Eve said...

I like Stephanie o'dea on facebook.

ak_newman at hotmail dot com

Angie said...

Baked oatmeal!

Ateed@comcast.net

Angie said...

Like on FB

Ateed@comcast.net

Kimberly said...

I would like to try Bacon and Cheese Chicken
Kims2312@verizon.net

Kimberly said...

GFC follower
Kims2312@verizon.net

Kimberly said...

I like you on FB
Kimberly Schotz
Kims2312@verizon.net

Kimberly said...

I like Stephanie on FB
Kimberly Schotz
Kims2312@verizon.net

Kimberly said...

Email follower
1
Kims2312@verizon.net

Kimberly said...

Email follower
2
Kims2312@verizon.net

Kimberly said...

Email follower
3
Kims2312@verizon.net

jhitomi said...

I want to make the Chicken Makhani (indian butter chicken); in fact I might try it tomorrow.
jhbalvin at gmail dot com

jhitomi said...

email subscriber 2
jhbalvin at gmail dot com

jhitomi said...

email subscriber 3
jhbalvin at gmail dot com

jhitomi said...

gfc follower as jhb
jhbalvin at gmail dot com

jhitomi said...

following you on twitter as jhitomi
jhbalvin at gmail dot com

Donna J. said...

I'd like to try the granola!

dmariejenkins1212 at gmail dot com

Donna J. said...

I follow Reynold's Mom with google friends

Donna Jenkins

dmariejenkins1212 at gmail dot com

Donna J. said...

I suscribe to a year of home cooking by e-mail

dmariejenkins1212 at gmail dot com

Donna J. said...

I like the Reynold's Mom on Facebook

Donna Jenkins

dmariejenkins1212 at gmail dot com

Donna J. said...

I like Stephanie O Dea on Facebook

Donna Jenkins

dmariejenkins121 at gmail dot com

Donna J. said...

I suscribe to your blog by e-mail 1

dmariejenkins1212 at gmail dot com

Donna J. said...

I suscribe to your blog by e-mail 2

dmariejenkins1212 at gmail dot com

Donna J. said...

I suscribe to your e-mail 3

dmariejenkins1212 at gmail dot com

Rebecca Williams said...

I'd like to try the Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken
rebeccaw2005 at gmail dot com

Rebecca Williams said...

I follow your blog via google friend-rebecca williams
rebeccaw2005 at gmail dot com

Rebecca Williams said...

I like you on facebook @rebeccaw2005
rebeccaw2005 at gmail dot com

Rebecca Williams said...

I follow you on twitter @rebeccaw2005gm
rebeccaw2005 at gmail dot com

Rebecca Williams said...

3 I'm an email subscriber to your blog
rebeccaw2005 at gmail dot com

carole said...

like to try apple cake

carole said...

email subscriber #2

carole said...

email subscriber #3

carole said...

LIKE you on FB (carole c)

Anonymous said...

I'd love to try making coconut cake!

pucker93 at hotmail dot ocm

Anonymous said...

I follow you via gfc

pucker93 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I like you on fb

amanda d.k.

pucker93 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

5 layer brownies sound yummy

kellystar123 said...

5 layers brownie sound yummy:)

kellystar123 said...

I like you on faceb ook

kellystar123 said...

I followed Stephanie's blog

kellystar123 said...

Subscribed to your blog

Cheyenne said...

They all look yummy and there are some very creative ones! I'd love to try vegetarian no noodle lasagne!

cheyennedotrobertsonatgmaildotcom

Cheyenne said...

I'm a GFC follower!

cheyennedotrobertsonatgmaildotcom

Cheyenne said...

I subscribe to your blog by email!

cheyenne(underscore)robertson(at)hotmail(dot)com

Cheyenne said...

I subscribe to your blog by email! (2)

cheyenne(underscore)robertson(at)hotmail(dot)com

Cheyenne said...

I subscribe to your blog by email! (3)

cheyenne(underscore)robertson(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'd like to try her thin mints recipe!
Sharon
Smrjbp(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I like Stephanie on fb
Sharon
Smjbp(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Follow Stephanie on twitter
Sharon
Smrjbp at aol dot com

Emilores said...

Baby Food!

Emilores@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

I would like to try the Baked Ziti

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Tasha said...

i'd like to try the 20-40 clove garlic chicken... and think i will this weekend!

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

following you on twitter under tasha j r

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

tweet #1 04.09

http://twitter.com/#!/pdxoregonmom/status/56950874454503424

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

follow you on gfc under tasha r

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

subscribed to stephanie's blog by email

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

email subscriber #1

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

email subscriber #2

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

email subscriber #3

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

liked you on facebook under tasha j r

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

liked stephanie on facebook under tasha j r

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

following stephanie on twitter under pdxoregonmom

taylortasha at msn dot com

debijackson said...

bacon and cheese chicken sounds great

debijackson said...

emeail sub djackson1958@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

email follower
amy v in WI (If I win I will send you my email address)

shannon_in_love said...

I already have tried multiple of her recipes... my favorite is Taco soup... actually had it last night. Thanks for holding this contest! shannon_in_love at yahoo.com

Tasha said...

tweet #1 04.10

http://twitter.com/#!/pdxoregonmom/status/57304437923913728

taylortasha at msn dot com

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

Black bean soup

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I follow gfc.

Ruth said...

I want to try the 5 layer brownie! I only realized recently how popular it is to make dessert in a crock pot and I have a special sweet tooth for chocolatey desserts, yum!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/04/crockpot-5-layer-brownie-recipe.html
rutheadler at gmail.com

Ruth said...

I "Like" Stephanie O'Dea's fan page on Facebook. Ruth Jacob
rutheadler at gmail.com

Ruth said...

Email subscriber #3
rutheadler at gmail.com

Ginny said...

I want to try the 20-40 Clove Garlic Chicken. I LOVE garlic!

LullabyLovelies at gmail [dot] com

Ginny said...

I follow you on GFC.


LullabyLovelies at gmail [dot] com

Ginny said...

I like you on fb.


LullabyLovelies at gmail [dot] com

Ginny said...

i follow you on twitter.


LullabyLovelies at gmail [dot] com

Ginny said...

I like Stephanie on fb.


LullabyLovelies at gmail [dot] com

Ginny said...

I follow Stephanie on twitter.


LullabyLovelies at gmail [dot] com

Ginny said...

I subscribed to her blog via email


LullabyLovelies at gmail [dot] com

DiscoverHope7 said...

OMG are you serious??? I LOVE that blog.. and it's one of my favorites! I have used MANY of her recipes... taco soup is amazing and SOOOO easy!!! I highly suggest that.. omg.. really.. wow now I MUST have this book seriously! I really want to try her ratotuille

DiscoverHope7 said...

I already subscribe to her blog

DiscoverHope7 said...

I likeyou on FB

Terri. said...

I want to try the Artichokes Stuffed. They sound so good.
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I follow The Reynolds Mom on Google Friend Connect
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I subscribe to Stephanie's blog via Rss feed
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I subscribe to your email updates
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I liked you on Facebook (Terri S)
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I liked Stephanie O'Dea's fan page on Facebook (Terri S)
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I follow you on Twitter (@atthemapletable)
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I follow Stephanie O'Dea on Twitter (@atthemapletable)
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I tweeted about the giveaway.
http://twitter.com/#!/AtTheMapleTable/status/57626256589594626
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I subscribe to your email
updates (1)
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I subscribe to your email
updates (2)
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I subscribe to your email
updates (3)
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I subscrbe to your RSS feed (1)
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Terri. said...

I subscrbe to your RSS feed (2)
tshaw6580@yahoo.com

Tasha said...

tweet #1 04.11

http://twitter.com/#!/pdxoregonmom/status/57641218666012672

taylortasha at msn dot com

Danielle Schwab said...

mmm 5 layer brownies sound wonderful right now

danielleschwab10@gmail.com

Kris said...

I would like to try the applesauce chicken!
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said...

I follow you on GFC!
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said...

I like you on Facebook.
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said...

I subscribe to your email #1
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said...

I subscribe to your email #3
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said...

I like Stephanie O'Dea on Facebook!
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said...

I subscribe to Stephanie's blog.
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Allea said...

I'm dying to try the pomegranate beef that she always raves about. It's definitely on my list of things to make.

Allea said...

I also subscribe to Stephanie's blog by email.

Sheena Gossett said...

I have made the Chicken Parmesan & Chicken Cordon Blue. Wanna try the 5 Layer Brownie.

chamsmama@gmail.com

Tasha said...

daily tweet #1 04.13

http://twitter.com/#!/pdxoregonmom/status/58319338037456896

taylortasha at msn dot com

Amy said...

I'd love to try one of the desserts - like the Brownie in a Mug or Chocolate Fudge Pudding cake! I'm just too chicken!

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

Posted on my blog! http://theschrenks.blogspot.com/2011/04/book-giveaway.html

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

Subscribed to your blog via email!

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

I follow Stephanie on Twitter

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

I now follow YOU on Twitter!

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

I like Stephanie's Fan Page on Facebook (how had I missed this before!?!)

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

I now like you on Facebook!

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

I follow you on Friend Connect.

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

Blog Post Entry 2
Posted on my blog! http://theschrenks.blogspot.com/2011/04/book-giveaway.html

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

Blog Post Entry 3
Posted on my blog! http://theschrenks.blogspot.com/2011/04/book-giveaway.html

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

Email Subscription Entry 2
Subscribed to your blog via email!

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Amy said...

Email Subscription Entry 3

Subscribed to your blog via email!

amy dot schrenk at gmail dot com

Charity and John said...

I would try the slow cooker creamy turkey dinner recipe.
primabee at hotmail dot com

anw1107 said...

Id like to try the 5 layer brownie
anw1107@aol.com

anw1107 said...

gfc follower(anw1107)

anw1107 said...

fb fan(ashley nance)
anw1107@aol.com

anw1107 said...

stephanie odea fb fan(ashley nance)
anw1107@aol.com

Amylynn said...

I would like to try the Baked Potato Soup
beadsidemyself at gmail dot com

Amylynn said...

I follow with GFC
beadsidemyself at gmail dot com

Amylynn said...

I am a facebook fan of Reynolds Mom
Amy S H
beadsidemyself at gmail dot com

Amylynn said...

#1 I am an email subscriber
beadsidemyself at gmail dot com

Amylynn said...

#2 I am an email subscriber
beadsidemyself at gmail dot com

Tasha said...

tweet 1 4.14

http://twitter.com/#!/pdxoregonmom/status/58778116050530304

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

daily tweet 4.15:

http://twitter.com/#!/pdxoregonmom/status/59135059344625664

taylortasha at msn dot com

Tasha said...

daily tweet #1 04.16:

http://twitter.com/#!/pdxoregonmom/status/59493085796761600

taylortasha at msn dot com

dlb3779 said...

I'm gonna try http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/04/balsamic-chicken-with-spring-vegetables.html with chicken breasts.
dlb3779@aol.com - Denise Bradshaw

Tasha said...

daily tweet 4.18 #1

http://twitter.com/#!/pdxoregonmom/status/59883349837225984

taylortasha at msn dot com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

I would love to try the African Peanut Soup

Thank you for hosting this giveaway

Louis
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

Google Friends Connect - following your blog publicly as Louis

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

I like your blog on facebook (Louis Here)

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

I like Stephanie O'Dea on facebook (Louis Here)

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

following @stephanieodea on twitter @left_the_stars

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

I tweeted your giveaway

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

Ashley said...

I'd like the Aisan shredded beef.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Ashley said...

I'm a gfc follower.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Shelley said...

I'd like to try the bacon & cheese chicken recipe. Sounds easy & tasty. mrspoofa(at)aol.com

Shelley said...

I follow you on twitter @mrspoofa.
mrspoofa(at)aol.com

Shelley said...

tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Mrspoofa/status/60804785540038656
mrspoofa(at)aol.com

fluerdelyis said...

I would like to try this recipe: pulled pork with sauerkraut
I have glanced around her site a few times in the past year.
Thanks
Chris Ann
treehouse.queen18(atyahoodotcom)

fluerdelyis said...

Email subscriber entry 1
thanks
Chris Ann
treehouse.queen18(atyahoodotcom)

fluerdelyis said...

Email subscriber entry 2
thanks
Chris Ann
treehouse.queen18(atyahoodotcom)

Tamara said...

I would like to try the Chicken and Brown Rice Casserole.

Kristi S said...

CrockPot 5 Layer Brownie Recipe, YUMMM!

eksummit(at)gmail(dot)com

Kristi S said...

I follow Reynolds mom on facebook as Kristi Summit!
eksummit(at)gmail(dot)com

Kristi S said...

I "Like" Stephanie O'Dea's fan page on Facebook as Kristi Summit

eksummit(at)gmail(dot)com

Kristi S said...

I follow you on twitter @eksummits
eksummit(at)gmail(dot)com

Kristi S said...

I tweeted!

http://twitter.com/#!/EKSummits/status/60912164252286976

eksummit(at)gmail(dot)com

Mandy said...

zesty burger soup
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

Mandy said...

I follow on GFC
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

Mandy said...

I like you on FB
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

Mandy said...

I like stephanie on FB
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

Mandy said...

I folow you on twitter
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

Mandy said...

I follow stephanie on twitter
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

daivabaum said...

I would like to try crab dip recipe.
poniabaum at gmail dot com

daivabaum said...

I follow you via Google Friend Connect.
poniabaum at gmail dot com

daivabaum said...

I follow you on twitter. @poniabaum
poniabaum at gmail dot com

daivabaum said...

I like you on Facebook. (Ponia Baum)
poniabaum at gmail dot com

Diana said...

I would love to try the 16 bean soup
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Diana said...

I like Stephanie O'Dea on Fb
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Diana said...

I follow you on twitter
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Diana said...

I follow Stephanie O'Dea on twitter
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Shelley said...

tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Mrspoofa/status/61215419951886336
mrspooaf(at)aol.com