Elevating slow cooker meals beyond the basics, this smart book includes 150 innovative, delicious recipes for family dinners, creative desserts, holiday meals, and effortless entertaining. More than 100 gorgeous photos accompany the foolproof recipes and techniques. Recipes include slow-cooker stalwarts such as soups, stews, and roasts, but go beyond to dishes not thought of as slow-cooker fare, including cheesecake, lasagna, yogurt, party mix, and steel-cut oats. Each chapter contains clever tips, features, and secrets for getting the most from this favorite kitchen appliance, such as how to layer food and flavors for ideal doneness and taste. Special chapters on entertaining and holiday cooking show party hosts how to use the slow cooker to simplify food prep for special gatherings.