America's Test KitchenSlow Cooker Revolution Volume 2: The Easy-Prep Edition: 200 All-New, Ground-Breaking Recipes

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 MoleAsian Chicken Lettuce WrapsFarmhouse Chicken CasseroleThanksgiving Turkey Pot PieQuinoa and Vegetable StewHearty Vegetarian ChileWhite Chocolate and Cherry Bread Pudding

I'm a dedicated slow cooker user. In winter for the heart dishes and in summer to cook the stove. I'm a huge fan of the first book so I bought the second, even though the reviews were varied. These recipes do call for a slightly shorter cooking time but so far I haven't had a problem with letting the cooker remain on warm for the remainder of the day. The recipes are easy to follow and often describe "why" the step is important. The concept of "throw it in and forget it" exists for many of the recipes but not as much for others. Prep work is necessary but usually only includes some chopping and microwave time. There is a "cooking for two" section which is nice. But those recipes are easily doubled or tripled for a family. When browsing the book, keep in mind that this section exists. Many of those recipes are very good and I caught myself planning a meal thinking these are family volumes. Only later did I realize that this was marked as "serves 2". I recommend clearly making a mental note for the serving size for each recipe before you plan. The book varies dramatically in this regard.One aspect of slow cooking that has always perplexed me is chicken dishes. This book demystifies slow cooker chicken recipes to deliver moist and tender chicken, recipe after recipe. I finally understand how to cook chicken in a slow cooker!Overall, every recipe we make is delicious and we've yet to be disappointed. I like the dips and appetizers at the front of the book too.At ATK, they tend to stay focused on classic American recipes but in a volume 3, if like to see more Asian or Mexican recipes such as mole or curries. I would recommend this book for intermediate or advanced slow cooker users who want to take their slow cooker skills to another level. For beginners or occasional users, stick to the first book. So far, as each kid sets up their first apartment, they have asked for a slow cooker so I bundle a new appliance with the first book marked with family favorites and I insert a few of our own recipe cards as well.

The recipes are not as good as volume one. I absolutely love Slow Cooker Revolution volume 1 (that book has so many stars and post-its inside it, it is like a rainbow). The recipes inside this addition are quicker to make and the prep time is faster, which is a plus but the recipes themselves are not something I am excited about. Why? I am a traditional cook and these recipes are not for me. For soups we have some interesting titles like Curried Lentil Soup, Creamy Pumpkin Chai, Creamy Roasted Tomato, Old-Fashioned Beef Oxtail, Lemony Chicken and Rice. There are 19 soups and only about 4 that I would consider making (Hearty Chicken & Garden Vegetable, Mexican-style Pork and Vegetable, US Senate Navy Bean and Garden Vegetable Tortellini). There are a variety of chapters: slow cooker, easy appetizers, soups, hearty stews, curries & chilis, easy chicken dinners, steaks, chops ribs & more, big birds & whole birds, pasta & pasta sauces, casseroles, vegetarian dinners, cooking for two, easy sides, and desserts. I love American Test Kitchen, I enjoy reading why their recipes work and I enjoy all the tidbits of information they include in their magazine and in this cookbook and so will you if you are inquisitive about why things are the way they are. Not every recipes has a picture in this book but the pictures that are presented as very attractive and nicely done. The back pages has an index which is handy and is 19 pages long. If you are adventurous or you are a cook who likes different food, this would be a great cookbook for you. American Test Kitchen produces great cookbooks and they have a great magazine, once you try them you will wonder what you did without them.

I love the test kitchen cookbooks and I love slow cookers. So what is there left to say? Well...I found their first volume more adventurous in their presentations. It was, as if, the test kitchen said: "let's get out another one and make some more money".That being said it is still a very good cookbook and still better than any other slow cooker cook book I have ever seen.

I bought this for my Mum's birthday. She's already used 2 recipes and they were both easy and tasty. An excellent all rounder and fully recommended.

I absolutely love this recipe book. My fiancé and I use this book all the time. We look t a recipe we like the most, go out a buy the ingredients and then have at it. These recipes always come out tasting so amazing and there really is nothing to it. From buying the ingredients to eating, its very easy.

Really happy with this cook book. The chicken mole recipe is a family fav now. My only issue is not all the recipes are good of you want to put everything together in the morning and leave it to cook for 6-8 hours. More than a few are just 2-3 hours which doesn't exactly make it condusive for weeknights. But it has definitely expanded my beliefs as to what can be made in a slow cooker.

Shorts, easy and excellents receipes.