Wednesday 3 October 2012

Slow cooker recipes, #slow cooking

If I was stocking my kitchen from scratch, there are three things I would buy (aside from plates and cutlery etc): An electric kettle, a bread machine and a slow cooker. Without the above, I don't think I could function. Obviously, I would eventually need to cave and buy at least a frying pan, but I could survive for a very long time on foods made in the above.

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Firstly, I'd like to share a recipe that isn't mine, but which has become something of a staple in this house:

Rootbeer pulled-pork from justJENN is about the best thing you can do with a slow cooker and a pork shoulder. It's amazingly versatile - aside from the obvious serving suggestion of 'sandwiches', I highly recommend it as a pizza topping in place of cheese (or some of the cheese, at least), as a baked potato filling, stirred through cous cous or dolloped on steaming rice with stir-fried veg.

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The following is a recipe that was given to me by a friend. This makes enough for 8 people, but freezes extremely well so is excellent 'ready meal' fodder. Perfect for work lunches or avoiding the lure of a takeaway.

Vegan Chilli
  • 1 big pot
  • 5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 1 small chilli (chopped finely)
  • 4 Peppers (of the same or  a variety of colours doesn't really matter)
  • 2 Carrots (grated)
  • 3 cloves of garlic (crushed)
  • 2tbsp chilli powder
  • 1tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 cans of tinned tomatoes
  • 3tbsp cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp molasses (brown sugar works really well instead)
  • 2 cans of kidney beans
  • 600ml of veg stock
Throw everything into the slow cooker.

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Vegan Curry, with chicken alternative
  • 1 cauliflower head
  • 1 onion (red or white will do)
  • 1 can of tomatoes
  • 1 can of green lentils (dried green/red lentils work as well - follow the instructions on the pack but most don't need soaking/pre-cooking)
  • fresh ginger
  • fresh garlic
  • fresh chilli
  • olive oil
  • dried turmeric, cinnamon, curry powder (or whatever spices you fancy)
  • sugar (dark brown works best)
  • raisins/sultanas (optional)
  • ½ lb spinach leaves (optional)
  • chicken (optional)
  • cream/natural yogurt (optional)

Chop your ingredients and toss everything into the slow cooker. If you're doing the non-vegan version, stir in the cream/yogurt and spinach at the very end.

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Slow cooked baked beans
  • Sausages/bacon bits (optional)
  • 2 cans of beans (i.e. flageollet and canellini, butter beans, mung beans etc.)
  • One can of chopped tomatoes
  • One sliced onion
  • Stock cube
  • Cajun spice/paprika/chilli
  • Brown sugar
Throw everything in the slow cooker. Serve with potato wedges, jacket potatoes or thick brown toast with lots of butter.

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I have many, many more things I cook in the slow cooker but these were the first which sprang to mind, and which I haven't already mentioned (like Chicken and Flageollet Bean Casserole and a Bolognese Base). Essentially, anything which needs to bubble away on the stove can be made in a slow-cooker. Stews, soups, rice puddings... these all lend themselves perfectly to a stint in 'the machine'.

What are your favourite slow cooker recipes?

3 comments:

  1. Right, that's it, off to dust off my slow cooker (which doesn't get used in the summer, it's a real winter 'toy', but definitely one I wouldn't be without either!)

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  2. Thank you for the post! I will try those recipes next week :)
    Bolognese is in the slow cooker now :) smells lovely :) x

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    1. I hope you like them - they're staple foods in my house so I make at least one of the above once a week :) xxx

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