Cook book review: Slow Cooking

Well-known and prolific cooking author Margaret Fulton is highly regarded in this part of the world.

The Australian's first cookbook, simply titled The Margaret Fulton Cookbook, published in 1968, encouraged housewives to vary the old meat and three vegetables and to be creative.

Although I've never seen her first book I'm very impressed with her latest. Just in time for winter, Slow Cooking has some fabulous and easy meals for the crockpot.

Ahhh, the crockpot. Whoever invented it deserves a medal. Tough cuts of meat such as gravy beef and blade steak will be turned into melt-in-the-mouth dishes after a turn in these slow cookers. There is nothing like walking in the door on a wet, cold winter's evening after working all day to the smell of a delicious meal cooking in your crockpot.

What's more, the preparation is so easy. There are recipes that take a fair bit of time to prepare but it is certainly worth the effort.

Fulton's Slow Cooking has stocks and soups, beef and lamb, chicken, pork and veal, fish, roasts, vegetables, desserts and even jams and chutneys.

I made the Hearty Beef Casserole with some cross-cut blade steak that cost $6. Delicious tender meat in a rich sauce with celery, onions, tomatoes and potatoes.

What I really like about this book is that some of the recipes have variations.

For instance, I could have made the casserole with an Italian or Greek twist by following the changes at the bottom of the recipe.

If you are looking for some inspirational winter meals I recommend you take a look at this book.

Slow Cooking

by Margaret Fulton

New Holland, $49.99