New Crockery Cooker Cook Book

Unfortunately, the everyday crockery fare here proffered relies on convenience foods, such as two cans of pork-and-beans with tomato sauce, 10 gingersnaps and catsup in saucy, gingery bean bake or a can of cream-of-mushroom soup and instant beef-bouillon granules in lentil-mushroom soup. Nonetheless, the modest collectionwhich includes herbed round steak, apple-pork roast and vegetables, sweet potato-and-sausage stew, Oriental hot-and-sour soupwill satisfy and tempt some less-discriminating, meat-loving ""absentee cooks'' who want to put hot meals on the table with a minimum of fuss. Hallmarks of the Better Homes and Gardens Books (Henry is an in-house editor) are simple, lucid directions and helpful tipsand this volume is no exception. There is meticulous information on types of crockery cookers, their use and upkeep, and recipes are varied to accommodate different makes. Lifting vegetable-stuffed meat loaf into and out of the cooker is facilitated by foil handles, instructions provided. Cooks can use canning jars as baking molds to create brownie cakes. Photos not seen by PW. (September 15)