Take Things Slowly With These Four Slow Cooker Recipe Suggestions

Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder

For dinner, slowly cooking this lamb shoulder on low is ideal,

but for lunch cook on high to save yourself an early start.

Ingredients

Serves 5 -6

3 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped

2 rosemary sprigs, needles picked and finely chopped (or 2 tsp dried)

2 tsp olive oil

1 lamb shoulder (about 1.5kg/3lb 5oz), boned and rolled

1 large onion with skin left on, thickly sliced

2 small carrots, trimmed, scrubbed and halved lengthways

600ml/20fl oz hot lamb stock (made with a stock pot if possible)

2 tbsp redcurrant jelly, plus extra to serve

2–4 tbsp cornflour (or gravy granules, see tip)

salt and freshly ground black pepper

fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs, to garnish (optional)

mint sauce, to serve

Instructions

with recipe tips can be seen here

Slow Cooker Easy Beef Stew

An easy slow cooker beef stew that's ready when you are.

Throw store cupboard ingredients into the slow cooker with some inexpensive braising steak.

Serve with mash, my lower carb favourite is swede!

Ingredients

Serves 6

600ml/20fl oz just-boiled water

1 beef stock cube

2 tbsp tomato purée

1 tbsp yeast extract

900g/2lb good-quality braising steak, trimmed and cut into roughly 4cm/1½in chunks

100g/3½oz smoked bacon lardons, or sliced smoked back bacon

2 onions, thinly sliced

4 carrots (about 400g/14oz), peeled and cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks

4 celery sticks, trimmed and cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in lengths

3 tbsp plain flour (25g/1oz)

1 tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra to season

1 tsp dried mixed herbs

1 bay leaf (dried or fresh)

ground black pepper

Instructions

with recipe tips can be seen here

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

This traditional chicken stew is rich and full flavoured, with classic Italian ingredients.

Adding lots of vegetables means only a small amount of meat is needed per person.

The sauce is generous so if you want to stretch it a bit further, add a few more chicken thighs.

Ingredients

Serves 6

2 onions, finely chopped

2 celery sticks, finely chopped

6 garlic cloves, sliced

6 large boneless chicken thighs, skin removed

2 red, orange or yellow peppers, cut into big chunks

2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes

150ml/5fl oz chicken stock, made with 1 stock cube

2 tsp dried basil

1 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp wine or balsamic vinegar

75g/2¾oz olives, stones removed and drained

salt and freshly ground black pepper

To serve

freshly cooked pasta, potatoes or cheesy polenta

My lower carb choices; freshly cooked green vegetables or salad

Instructions

can be seen here

Slow Cooker Ratatouille

Serves 6

Tender Mediterranean vegetables in a rich tomato and garlic sauce are easy to prepare in a slow cooker. Ratatouille will keep well in the fridge for up to three days.

Don’t be tempted to skip some of the olive oil here as it adds a real silkiness to the sauce. 

Ingredients

Serves 6

6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 medium aubergine/eggplant, cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks

2 medium red onions, thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced

2 medium courgettes/zucchini, halved lengthways and cut into roughly 2cm/¾in slices

1 large red pepper, cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks

1 large yellow pepper, cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks

400g tin chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato purée

2 tsp caster sugar

1 tsp dried oregano

2 dried bay leaves, or 1 fresh bay leaf

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

with recipe tips can be seen here

For readers who do not have a slow cooker

have a look at these lower carb recipe suggestions

Chicken Choices : See here

Pork Choices : See here

Fish Choices : See here

Vegetarian Choices : See here

Vegan Choices : See here

Lots to choose from above, do keep in mind that recipes can always be tweaked

to accommodate your needs, likes, dislikes etc.

Dear reader, you will find a variety of recipe ideas within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. Always take account of your personal circumstances, needs, illnesses and medication you may be taking. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan