Member Reviews
I was so excited to read the Fix-It and Forget-It Budget Meals. This is the perfect partner in the kitchen for busy families, and I'm looking forward to utilizing many of these recipes in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot on chilly fall evenings! I love the suggested side dishes, which makes it easier to match up the main recipes with included side dish recipes. I struggle with most cookbooks having tons of required ingredients and "fancier" dishes that my family wouldn't eat. This cookbook was fantastic with affordable, easy to make recipes!
Didn’t love nor hate there were a few recipes I’ll incorporate into my meal plans but that’s about it
I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.
Lots of interesting and easy meals that would be cheap to make and delightful to eat. It could do with more pictures and maybe a bit less repetitive tips but overall a good cookbook for those looking to spice up their slow cooker meals.
This author has written an easy to follow cookbook as part of the “Fix It and Forget It” trope. I appreciated the connection I felt with the author as she listed little bits about herself and region. She included a very ice “forward/introduction” as well as a small helpful index at the end. I felt this was well thought out and engaging for busy people. The author has a well established website showing her family and describing where she gets her ideas from. This is, in my opinion, a reliable author and cookbook I would recommend.
I'm a busy mom to 3 boys who eat a lot-I don't want to spend a long time standing over the stove cooking! The instant pot and slow cooker are invaluable to me. This contained really yummy recipes and helpful information as the IP can be tricky at times. There's breakfasts, beef and pork focused meals, and side dishes. I only wish it contained more photos as I like lots of them in cookbooks, but that's just personal preference!
I really liked the notes in the beginning of the book about instant pop tips and tricks. I found them very helpful.
I don't know how i didn'tt know that i could get cookbooks on net galley but i will be getting more! Very excited!
I loved that this one was all about budget friendly meals and quick meals. In this economy budgeting is a must and these meals were cheap and easy, but delicious too.
I liked the number of recipes included in this book, as well as how many incorporated instant pot accessories (pans, silicone molds, etc) for variety and different possibilities with meals. However, I always enjoy photos in cookbooks and thought this book was lacking in images. It seemed that there was an image for maybe every 4th or 5th recipe in the book. Having said that, the majority of the recipes featured easily attainable ingredients and I appreciate the budget conscious theme of the book, especially considering the price of groceries these days.
Thanks to Good Books and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For those unfamiliar with or haven’t ever used an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker, this book is a great introduction. The book walks you through the process of each appliance step by step. This would be a great gift for someone moving into their first apartment, along with said appliance. The majority of recipes use pretty common and low-cost ingredients, so on that score, the cookbook achieves its goals.
I was hoping for more Instant Pot ideas; I got one when they first came out (and there was only one brand making an electric one) and only has the basic buttons on it, sauté and pressure cook, for example. So, the recipes that use other features on newer Instant Pots were of no use to me. If you do have one of the newer models, you might enjoy this book. I have found, with my use of mine, that the “saving time” aspect of using an Instant Pot is a case of YMMV. By the time you sauté, add the rest of the ingredients, bring the pot up to pressure, add the cook time, plus using a natural release instead of forcing a quick release, you’re not saving much time. Some say the flavor is much better in an Instant Pot, but that’s personal preference. And if you’re getting home at 6pm, dinner recipes may be easy, but it’s not quick, even with minimal cook time at full pressure.
I was also curious about budget slow cooker meals. Now, I am a pro when it comes to slow cooker meals. I have always had a rotation of meals that I serve for nights when after school activities push back dinner time. I used to have all sorts of slow cooker cookbooks that just did not fit my family’s taste buds. And here is where I scored. I found many new recipes, or new spins on recipes I had tried before.
The recipes I bookmarked: Granola in the Slow Cooker, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Three Cheese Broccoli Soup, Cranberry Chicken, Orange-Glazed Chicken, Mississippi Pot Roast, Chuck Wagon Beef, and Easy Spinach Lasagna. Not all of these are cook-all-day recipes, as has become more common with slow cooker recipes I’ve found. I would use some of these recipes on the weekend because they don’t require 8-9 hours to cook. Some of these shorter cooking time recipes would also be good if you worked from home.
Part of the extremely popular set of Fix-It and Forget It cookbooks, this is a keeper. The focus is on budget friendly meals using slow cooker and Instant Pot. New to these methods? There is a handy section on use and tips to get the most from your equipment. The recipes are color coded so at first glance you will see which method and piece of equipment to set up. I always like a recipe that tells me prep time, cooking time, servings it makes and which size of slow cooker to use. The recommendation is to invest in silicone inserts for your Instant to be able to utilize it in a variation of dishes. I plan to try numerous dishes from this cookbook.
Ok. So don't shoot the messenger but I'm not an Instant Pot fan. I've tried multiple times and given them away. But... give me a great crockpot recipe and I'll make it every week! I'm so excited to have found some great new options to meal prep this week! Nothing earth shattering and new in this cookbook but some great classics, some with a twist, all in one place!
One of the first gifts I received as a young wife was a slow cooker and a Fix-It and Forget-it cookbook. Slow cookers have changed drastically since my basic crock pot but the convenience and versatility stays the same. For many years my husband and I worked different shifts so a crock pot meal let my family have a healthy, delicious meal every day. This not only was convenient, it was a money saver vs fast food dinners.
In this latest edition of the Fix-It and Forget-it library, Hope Comerford shares her favorite recipes for the slow cooker and/or Instant Pot.....one of the newest appliances to make dinner time easier and tastier. She has included a fairly comprehensive guide on how to choose the cooker that fits your life best....I find that just one won't, so own several different sizes.....and what basic ingredients to keep in your pantry for frequent use. The information is useful and the recipes easy to follow, achieving excellent results on the first try.
Since that first gift to me, I have gifted many slow cookers to people in every walk of life, single, married, young, old and have always included a cookbook. The next few gifts will feature Budget Meals. That's the best recommendation anyone could have, use it then share.
"Fix-It and Forget-It Budget Meals" didn't quite meet my expectations. As someone who needs visuals to inspire my cooking, I was disappointed that not every recipe had accompanying photos. Additionally, as a UK reader, I found it inconvenient that there were no conversions from cups to grams, which would make following the recipes more challenging. While the book offers a wide range of straightforward recipes with clear instructions, it just didn't suit my needs. Unfortunately, it's not the right fit for me.
Fix-It and Forget-It Budget Meals by Hope Comerford is a valuable cookbook for anyone looking to make tasty meals without breaking the bank. It’s packed with easy slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes that won’t take up much of your time or money. The recipes are straightforward and budget-friendly, making it a great choice for busy weeknights. If you’re into hassle-free cooking that fits a tight budget, this book is a real winner.
I really enjoyed this book! The pictures and graphics are very attention grabbing and make it easy to picture what you are making. All of the ideas in here looks great and I will definitely have fun trying my hand at making a few! I'm so happy I discovered this book and will be buying a physical copy.
Sticking with the trusted "Fix it and Forget it" brand, this is a great cookbook for the busy family wanting to enjoy healthy meals. I love the combination of both slow cooker and instant pot meals. Plenty of breakfast and egg casserole options for the weekend, and several chicken, beef, and veggie-friendly supper options for during the week. My favorites are the Butter Chicken and Chicken Casablanca recipes. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.
While I do have the pleasure of working from home, I still have a busy lifestyle. With my husband's work schedule, the idea of making meals with instant pots and slow cookers makes life simpler. I have already had a blast cooking with our Quick Cookers.
Several amazing recipes are included in the Fix-It and Forget-It Budget Meals: Quick, Easy, and Inexpensive Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Recipes. But Hope took the time to give us lessons on slow cooker and instant pot recipes and share other tips and tricks to help her readers.
This well-organized cookbook is worth investing in for anyone considering owning an instant pot or quick cooker. It will be available on October 1, 2024, but you can preorder it now and save some money. I feel this cookbook will appeal to both experienced and beginner cooks.
this cookbook was really easy to read the recipes but the only downside is that there aren’t to many pictures in there. I would still buy this book for any lazy chef though.
Fix-It and Forget-It is my go-to cooking style—it's time-saving, cost-effective, and delicious, which is a fantastic combination. This book is a collection of recipes sourced from all over the USA, offering a diverse array of flavours and dishes.
What I particularly loved about this book is the author's dedication to helping readers choose the right slow cooker. The detailed explanations of the advantages and disadvantages make this an excellent resource for beginner cooks and a perfect gateway into the world of slow cooking.
The book is filled with a myriad of tips and tricks, and I found the section on Instant Pots especially useful, as I've been considering purchasing one. Thanks to Hope Comerford's guidance, I now feel confident about incorporating the Instant Pot into my daily routine. I'm excited to try out the variety of tasty recipes included.
The book's layout is easy to navigate, and each recipe is clearly labelled for either a slow cooker or Instant Pot preparation, making it perfect for novices. With 127 recipes, the selection is impressive, though there are relatively few pictures of the dishes. However, the images that are included are beautifully presented.
Additionally, the book is peppered with practical tips, tricks, and serving suggestions, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen library. This will become a cherished resource in any home cook's kitchen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing | Good Books for gifting me an e-book copy of Fix-It and Forget-It Budget Meals.
With grocery prices through the roof, this cookbook had me at the word 'budget'. All recipes are made using either an insta pot or a slow cooker, something I love as I'm tired after work and often don't have the time it energy to make something involved. Included is a very useful section on how to best use your slow comer or insta pot, and most recipes include suggestions of possible substitutions for ingredients. One thing I really appreciated was the note stating that the called-for chicken or beef broth could easily be replaced with bouillon, which further lowers the cost of the meal.
I followed the instructions faithfully and made several of the recipes this week. All were budget-friendly and easy to make. The chicken and rice casserole was tasty and even better when reheated the next day. Pork chops with gravy was easy and excellent, and I served it with the author's baked corn. These recipes are good, filling and relatively inexpensive. Are they gourmet quality? No, they're basic. And for me, basic is just fine!
This cookbook contains recipes for both instant pots and slow cookers. There is a lot of helpful information, such as how to pick the size of slow cooker that will best suit your family, advantages and disadvantages to slow cookers, what temps meat needs to be cooked to and so on. The recipes are clearly marked indicating if they're for instant pot or slow cooker. Recipes also show number of servings, prep and cook time and shows what size slower cooker/instant pot is ideal for each recipe. There are colorful pictures for some recipes. I wish they had a picture for each recipe. The recipes sound good, and I can't wait to make some!
There are 8 categories of recipes-
breakfast
soups
main dishes
chicken and turkey,
pork
beef
meatless and seafood
side dishes
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.