SLOW-COOKER ADVICE: In response to some earlier recipe posts, people asked me about my All-Clad slow cooker. I like it, but it’s discontinued and the new model is awfully pricey. I got mine as a gift, but I don’t think I’d spend that much money on one, especially as Consumer Reports liked this Hamilton Beach better for under fifty bucks.

I do recommend this cookbook for slow-cookers, and here’s my recipe for Lamb-and-Guinness stew.