Karen Petersen - Cookbook Author & Food Blogger

Karen Petersen is a stay at home mom who began her crockpot cooking adventures in January of 2009. 

"I like to make something that my husband will enjoy after a long day at work," Karen said. "He is my greatest fan."

She randomly cooked dinner in her slow cooker, something she seldom did as she only had one good slow cooker recipe.  She liked the freedom that came from having dinner done early in the day and was pleased when she didn't have to fight her 2 cranky kids at 5 p.m. while she  was trying to make dinner.  She decided to keep going with the slow cooker.  After 7 days of slow cooked meals she rashly made the decision to cook 365 slow cooker recipes over the course of 365 days.  She developed a blog to chart her progress and post the recipes, reviews and pictures.  At the end of the 365 days she compiled a cookbook, which she now sells (and uses all the time).  After her year was up she took a few weeks off and then continued developing new slow cooker recipes using the techniques she had learned over the year. Karen describes her cooking style as easy, tasty, made with simple ingredients, and food that her family will eat.

"I've cooked over 500 different recipes in my slow cooker over the past 2 years," Karen said. "I have learned a lot of different tips and techniques that can help anyone achieve slow cooking success! I often teach slow cooking classes to local groups. I am currently writing my second slow cooker cookbook.  I have appeared on TV over 10 times demonstrating different recipes."

Karen is a mother of two kids, six-year-old Reagan and three-year-old Skyler. Her husband, Greg, is a federal probation officer. Karen enjoys fitness and running and teaches fitness classes to local moms to bur off all the calories she eats at dinner each night. Karen describes herself as shy, and said she likes blogging because she doesn't know who's reading and can write to an unkown audience.  

AllFreeSlowCookerRecipes asked Karen, "What's the most exotic or difficult thing you've ever cooked?"

"I'm always trying to think of new ways to use the slow cooker," Karen said. "I actually made my own birthday cake this year in the slow cooker...I made blueberry pancakes in the slow cooker. Not everything turns out but I like to give it a try!"

 

Karen's Links:

365 Days of Slow Cooking

Karen featured on Today's Mama

Karen featured on AllFreeCasseroleRecipes.com

Facebook

Twitter

 

Staff Reviews of Karen's book, 365 Days of Slow Cooking Cookbook:

365 Days of Slow Cooking Cookbook Review

 

Karen's Review of the KitchenAid® 6-Quart Slow Cooker:

KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker Review

 

Karen's Recipes Developed for AllFreeSlowCookerRecipes.com Using KitchenAid® 6-Quart Slow Cooker:

Egg, Ham, and Spinach Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

Tomatillo Beef Tacos

 

Karen's Recipes on AllFreeSlowCookerRecipes.com:

3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Ground Turkey and Mushrooms

5-Minute Prep Slow Cooker Asian Chicken

Alicia's White Chili

Artichoke Spinach Dip

Asian Lime Chicken

Barbeque Ranch Chicken Tacos

Beef Chow Mein Casserole

Beefy Enchilada Casserole

Best Apple Crisp Ever

Black Forest Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Blazing Buffalo Chicken Dip

Blueberry Pancakes With Lemon Glaze

Bread Rolls in the Slow Cooker

Breakfast Casserole with Spinach, Peppers and Mushrooms

Budget Tomato Basil Ravioli Soup

Buffalo Cheddar Cauliflower Soup Recipe

Buffalo Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos

Buffalo Ranch Turkey Meatballs

Busy Day Chicken Taco Soup

Cake Mix Peach Cobbler

Caramel Apple Sundaes

Cheesy Beef Casserole

Cheesy Corn And Peppers

Cheesy Pesto Mushroom Chicken Recipe

Cheesy Tomato Sausage Dip

Chicken Linguine with Mushrooms and Peppers

Chicken Gnocchi Soup with Kale and Parmesan

Chocolate Cherry Cobbler

Chocolate Nutella Bread Pudding

Christmas Cranberry Punch

Classic Cincinnati Chili

Classic Shells and Cheese

Coconut-Nutella Pudding Cake

Copycat Pizza Hut Style Dipping Sauce

Country Beef Chowder

Cream Cheese Chicken Sandwiches

Creamy and Skinny Taco Chili Soup

Creamy Black Bean Salsa Chicken

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Creamy Chicken and Sausage

Creamy Coconut Chicken And Sauce

Creamy Coconut Chicken Haystacks

Creamy Ranch Chicken And Mushrooms

Creamy Red Potatoes

Delicious Salsa Rice Bake

Delicious Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Delicious Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops

Dipping Roast Beef Sliders

Dollar Store Kickin' Chili

Easiest Ever Slow Cooker Lasagna

Easiest Hot Fudge Sauce Ever

Easy Bacon Mac and Cheese

Easy Cheesy Potatoes

Easy Cheesy Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Easy Italian-Seasoned Potatoes

Easy Minestrone Soup with Pesto

Easy No-Stir Mushroom Risotto

Easy Slow Cooker Bacon Chicken Dinner

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Gyros

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Easy Slow Cooker Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Easy Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

Easy Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches

Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna Casserole

Easy Slow Cooker Nutella Brownie Pudding

Easy Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

Easy Slow Cooker Spinach Dip

Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Feta Dill Sweet Potato Mash

Five Ingredient Chicken Tacos

Five Ingredient White Bean Hummus

Fork Tender Country-Style Ribs

Fruit, Nut And Wheat Berry Salad

Grammy's Homestyle Beef and Barley Soup

Grandma's Garden Pasta Sauce

Hawaiian Haystacks

Heath Bar Chocolate Pudding Cake

Heavenly Oatmeal Banana Bread

How To Make Cornbread in the Slow Cooker

Hummus Chicken on Pita

Inexpensive Lemon Artichoke Chicken

Italian Mashed Potatoes

Lazy Day Dijon Chicken

Leftover Halloween Candy Brownie Surprise

Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Lemon Herbed Carrots

Make-Ahead Pulled Pork Stuffed Biscuits

Mama's Maple Dijon Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Mashed Sweet Potatoes for Six

Meatless Mexican Rice and Beans

Meaty Spaghetti Sauce

Melt Down Honey in Your Slow Cooker

Mexican Shells and Cheese

Moist Chocolate and Caramel Cake

Mushroom Slow Cooker Lasagna

Must-Have Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake

No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Balls

No-Fuss Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole

One-Pot Chipotle Shredded Pork Recipe

Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Peanut Butter Caramel Fondue

Peanut Butter Chocolate Buckeyes

Peanut Butter Granola

Peanut Butter Hot Fudge Sauce

Peanut Sauce with Chicken and Fettuccine

Penny Wise Potato and Ham Soup

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

Raising Bread in Your Slow Cooker

Raspberry Cream Cheese Caramel Brownies

Rise 'n Shine Easy Breakfast Casserole

Saucy Turkey Thighs

Sausage and Cheddar Dip

Savory Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole

Secret Ingredient Beef and Mushrooms

Secret Ingredient Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Shredded Beef Enchiladas

Simple Cake Mix Carrot Cake

Simple Macaroni and Beef

Simple Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

Skinny Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Skinny Slow Cooker Thai-Style Chicken and Coconut Soup

Sloppy Joe and Cream Cheese Quesadillas

Slow Cooker 2-Ingredient Balsamic Chicken

Slow Cooker 2-Ingredient Coconut Pecan Fudge

Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Party Meatballs

Slow Cooker Alfredo Salsa Tortellini

Slow Cooker as Candle Warmer

Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Barbecue

Slow Cooker Bacon Fiesta Chicken

Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Banana Nutella Bread

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Salad

Slow Cooker Beans and Rice Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef And Potato Casserole

Slow Cooker Beef Burgundy

Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Salad

Slow Cooker Beefy Bean Dip

Slow Cooker Birthday Cake

Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Slow Cooker Brownie Surprise

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash

Slow Cooker Caramel Chicken

Slow Cooker Caramel Cream Cheese Cookie Bars

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

Slow Cooker Cheesy Bacon Bean Dip

Slow Cooker Cheesy Bacon Cauliflower

Slow Cooker Cheesy Enchilada Rice

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder

Slow Cooker Cheesy Pesto and Mushroom Chicken

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Orzo

Slow Cooker Cheesy Scalloped Potato Casserole

Slow Cooker Chef Salad

Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Mushroom Tortellini Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken White Bean Soup

Slow Cooker Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Slow Cooker Chocolate Souffle

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Shredded Pork

Slow Cooker Copycat Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Slow Cooker Corn Rice Salsa Chicken Soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Pasta with Broccoli

Slow Cooker Creamy Cauliflower and Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Cauliflower Broccoli Soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Mashed Red Potatoes with Skins

Slow Cooker Creamy Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Slow Cooker French Dip Tacos

Slow Cooker Fresh Garlic Green Beans

Slow Cooker Fudgy Banana Cake

Slow Cooker German Pancakes

Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Slow Cooker Green Chicken Chili with Avocados

Slow Cooker Ham, Lentil and Barley Soup

Slow Cooker Healthy Chicken and Barley Soup

Slow Cooker Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

Slow Cooker Lemon Dijon Salmon with Dill Barley

Slow Cooker Lemon Dill Halibut

Slow Cooker Lentil Hummus

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken and Lentils

Slow Cooker Mexican Rice and Beans with Avocado

Slow Cooker Mexican Tortilla Pie

Slow Cooker Mint Chocolate Fudge Sauce

Slow Cooker Mushroom, Barley and Lentil Soup

Slow Cooker No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Slow Cooker No Fail Barbecue Beef

Slow Cooker Nutella Brownie Pudding

Slow Cooker Ooey Gooey Chicken

Slow Cooker Orange Glazed Carrots

Slow Cooker Peach Blueberry Crisp

Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Cup Mini Cheesecakes

Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Slow Cooker Perfect Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Pesto Minestrone Soup

Slow Cooker Pina Colada Lava Cake

Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Slow Cooker Pork and Broccoli

Slow Cooker Pork Gyros with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Slow Cooker Potato Salad

Slow Cooker Potatoes Au Gratin

Slow Cooker Ravioli Casserole

Slow Cooker Rice Piliaf

Slow Cooker Savory Baked Beans

Slow Cooker Scripture Cake

Slow Cooker Shepherd's Pie Chili

Slow Cooker Skinny Taco Chili

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

Slow Cooker S'mores Fondue Recipe

Slow Cooker Soup with Sausage, Barley, and Veggies

Slow Cooker Sour Cream Potato Bacon Soup

Slow Cooker Spiced Wassail

Slow Cooker Spicy Coconut Chicken Drumsticks

Slow Cooker Spicy Coconut Meatballs

Slow Cooker Strawberry French Toast Casserole

Slow Cooker Taco Salad

Slow Cooker Texas Caviar

Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken

Slow Cooker Toasted Pecan Chicken

Slow Cooker Tortellini Lasagna Casserole

Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie Soup

Slow Cooker Turkey Sausage, Barley and Mushroom Soup

Slow Cooker Velveeta Rotel Dip

Slow Cooker Warm Cheesy Bacon Bean Dip

Slow Cooker White Bean and Garlic Hummus

Slow Cooker White Bean and Pastrami Soup

Slow Cooker Wild Rice

Slow Cooker Witch's Hats

Slow Cooker Yellow Chicken Curry Recipe

Slow Cooker Zucchini Noodle Lasagna

"Smoked" Beef Brisket in the Slow Cooker

Sour Cream Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Spicy Chipotle Chicken with Hawaiian Sweet Jalapeno Rolls

Spinach Artichoke Bread Pudding

Sweet and Salty Candy Corn Spiced Nuts

Sweet Potato And Apple Bake

Sweet Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler

Sweet Tomatoes Copycat Sweet Tomato Basil Soup

Thrifty Chicken Stroganoff

Tomatillo Chicken Tacos

Tomato and Chicken Soup Recipe

Tomato Basil Parmesan and Pasta Soup

Tossed Salad with Lemon Peppered Chicken

Turkey and Cranberry Pot Pie

Turkey Burgers with Faux Hollandaise Sauce

Turkey Pesto Meatballs

Ultimate Chicken Nachos

Unbelievable Honey Mustard Chicken

Vegetable Lasagna Recipe with Tortellini

Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups

Zupas Cafe Copycat Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup