Giveaway: Art of the Slow Cooker Cookbook and App!
By: Andie Mitchell
Published: December 10, 2010

Chronicle Books just released an iPhone app based on the fabulous cookbook, Art of the Slow Cooker,  by Andrew Schloss.  This inspired  app includes 30 of the book's best recipes for soups, stews, braises, classics, and sides.
Andrew Schloss is a best-selling author and food writer based in Pennsylvania. Of the twelve cookbooks he's created, his most recent include Homemade in a Hurry and Mastering the Grill. 
Recently, I was able to ask Andrew a few questions about his love of slow cooking: 
When and why did you start using your slow cooker to create meals and desserts?
I started using a slow cooker as part of my work as a recipe developer. I am intrigued by how food responds to different cooking methods. Slow cookers are especially interesting because there is so little evaporation during cooking, which makes it easy to keep food moist, but creates challenges for thickening sauces and concentrating flavors.
What are your three favorite recipes to make in a slow cooker?
I like using my slow cookers to make dishes that are better made in a slow cooker than any other cooking method. Some of my favorites are hearty meats like lamb shanks and brisket. There are terrific recipes in the app for braised lamb shanks with prunes (I love dark meats with fruit) and sweet and sour brisket. Fibrous root vegetables, like beets, rutabaga, turnips, and sweet potatoes are phenomenal in a slow cooker. You asked for three, right? Baking, I guess, just because it's fun. Cakes, like fruit cakes, that tend to dry and darken in an oven are improved by baking in a slow cooker.  Cheesecake also comes out exceptionally creamy.
Where does your recipe inspiration come from?
I love solving problems and being helpful, so understanding the needs of my readers and trying to come up with simple creative solutions to help them get dinner on the table easily and deliciously is my greatest inspiration.

GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate the app release, Chronicle Books has offered to give one lucky Foodista reader a copy of Art of the Slow Cooker, and another reader the Art of the Slow Cooker App!

For your chance to win the book or the app, leave a comment here with the name of your favorite meal or dessert to make in the slow cooker by Monday 12/13! We'll randomly select two winners and announce them on Monday!
Thank you to Chronicle Books and Andrew Schloss for the fabulous book and app!
-Andrea Mitchell, Foodista staff and blogger at CanYouStayForDinner.com

Comments:
Corinne
December 10, 2010

Hi - with my slow cooker I love making Beef and Mushroom stew plus slow cooked lamb shanks - these are both my favourites especially in winter! I can't say I have ever made dessert in mine but after reading about the cheescake above I'm going to be giving that I try soon!
Ashley

Slow cookers are a working woman's dream, especially b/c you can put almost any grade of beef in them and it becomes magically tender and delicious. Still trying to master the corned beef brine for the slowcooker, but it's getting there. The only dessert i've made in the slowcooker was applesauce, but it was amazing. Thanks for the post!
Nelson R

Slow cooker favorite is Lamb Shanks. Their slow braising over the hours just brings out the best in them!
Kristin

My fave is still CHICKEN &amp; DUMPLINGS! As a Southerner, I scoffed to think it could be done in a slow cooker &amp; then tried recipe in 'The Gourmet Slow Cooker'. Well, I wuz wrong! See pg 17-18 in Lynn Alley's book! Perfect for cold weather comfort food.
danielle

I love my slow cooker chicken soup http://mostlyfoodandcrafts.blogspot.com/2010/09/jewish-penicillin.html
Tran

I ADORE slow cooking!!! My favorite dish out of a slow cooker is bo kho .. Vietnamese slow cooked beef with carrots and potatoes. Eat with fresh baked french bread.. YUM!
Kathy

I love making my slow cooker chili pot roast!
Ina

My favorite slow cooker recipe is baked beans.
Blair

This books looks fantastic!!  My favorite thing to make in a slow cooker is soup!!!!  Especially in the winter!  Also love to make some baked bread to go with it!  Yummy!!!!