Slow Cooker Sunday: Top Recipes to try This Winter

As winter settles in with its crisp air and longer evenings, our kitchens become warm sanctuaries of culinary comfort. This season, discover the perfect companion for crafting hearty meals: the slow cooker. This versatile appliance simplifies cooking and enhances flavours while fitting into our busy lives.

In this blog, we explore the joys of winter cooking with the slow cooker. From hearty stews and soul-warming soups to indulgent desserts like apple crumble, we celebrate recipes that capture the essence of winter comfort.

Why you need a slow cooker in your life

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding time to cook wholesome meals can be challenging. Enter the slow cooker, your kitchen ally designed to simplify cooking and enrich flavours effortlessly. Whether it's preparing hearty stews or savoury soups, the slow cooker allows you to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals with minimal effort and maximum taste, making it a must-have for busy households seeking convenience and culinary delight during the winter months.

Convenience and ease of use

One of the greatest advantages of a slow cooker is its simplicity. With just a few steps, you can set up your ingredients, turn it on, and let it work its magic. There's no need to constantly watch or stir, allowing you to focus on your day while your meal simmers to perfection. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, the slow cooker makes delicious, comforting meals accessible to everyone with minimal hands-on time.

Perfect for busy lifestyles

In today's fast-paced world, balancing work, family, and social commitments often leaves little time for cooking. The slow cooker comes to the rescue by allowing you to prepare meals in advance. Simply load it up in the morning before heading out, and return home to a warm, ready-to-eat dinner. It's a game-changer for busy individuals and families, ensuring that wholesome meals are always within reach without sacrificing taste or nutrition.

Cost-effective cooking

Using a slow cooker can be a budget-savvy choice for home cooking. It allows you to transform economical cuts of meat into tender, flavorful dishes through long, gentle cooking. This method not only maximises the use of ingredients but also reduces the need for expensive cuts. Additionally, slow cookers are energy-efficient compared to traditional ovens, helping to lower overall cooking costs while still delivering hearty, satisfying meals.

Healthier meals

Slow cookers excel in creating healthier meals by preserving nutrients and flavours. The low and slow cooking process helps retain vitamins and minerals in ingredients, making it an ideal method for cooking vegetables and lean meats. By using fresh, whole ingredients and controlling the amount of added fats and salts, you can enjoy nutritious, flavorful meals without the need for preservatives or additives commonly found in pre-packaged foods. This makes the slow cooker a valuable tool for anyone striving to maintain a balanced and wholesome diet.

Versatility

The slow cooker is a versatile kitchen essential capable of preparing a wide variety of dishes beyond traditional stews and soups. From hearty chilli and tender pot roasts to creamy risottos and even desserts like apple crumble, its adaptability makes it perfect for experimenting with different cuisines and flavours. Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or hosting a gathering, the slow cooker adapts effortlessly to your culinary needs, offering endless possibilities for creative and delicious meals throughout the year.

Top 5 slow cooker recipes

Explore the ultimate in convenience and flavour with our top 5 slow cooker recipes. From hearty stews to decadent desserts, these recipes showcase the versatility and ease of using a slow cooker to create delicious meals that are perfect for cosy winter nights and beyond. Unlock the potential of your slow cooker and enjoy wholesome, homemade dishes with minimal effort and maximum taste.

Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

Ingredients:
4 lamb shanks
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef stock
1 cup red wine
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 sprigs rosemary
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Browning the lamb shanks

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil and brown the lamb shanks on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the shanks to the slow cooker.

Sauteeing the aromatics

In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Transfer the onions and garlic to the slow cooker.

Combining the ingredients

Pour the beef stock and red wine into the slow cooker. Add tomato paste, rosemary sprigs, salt, and pepper.

Slow cooking

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the lamb is tender and falling off the bone.

Serving

Remove the lamb shanks from the slow cooker and place them on a serving platter. Spoon the onion and wine sauce over the shanks.

Garnishing

Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot with mashed potatoes or creamy polenta.

Hearty Beef and Kumara Stew

Ingredients:
500g beef stew meat, cubed
2 kumara, peeled and diced
2 carrots, sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 cups beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preparing ingredients

In a large bowl, combine beef stew meat, diced kumara, sliced carrots, and chopped onion.

Combining in slow cooker

Transfer the mixture into the slow cooker. Add beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), dried thyme, salt, and pepper.

Slow cooking

Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the beef and vegetables are tender and flavorful.

Serving

Stir the stew gently before serving to blend flavours. Ladle into bowls and enjoy this hearty beef and kumara stew with crusty bread or over rice.

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Casserole

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
250g mushrooms, sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup cream
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preparing ingredients

Place chicken breasts, sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, and minced garlic into the slow cooker.

Adding liquid

Pour chicken stock over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Season with dried thyme, salt, and pepper.

Slow cooking

Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Adding cream

Stir in cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a creamy texture.

Serving

Serve the creamy chicken casserole hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.

Vegetarian Lentil Curry

Ingredients:
1 cup lentil, rinsed
1 can coconut milk
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp curry powder
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups vegetable stock
Salt to taste

Instructions

Combining ingredients

In the slow cooker, combine rinsed lentils, coconut milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, curry powder, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable stock, and salt.

Slow cooking

Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the lentils are tender and the flavours are well blended.

Serving

Stir gently before serving to mix all the ingredients well. Serve the lentil curry hot with rice or naan bread for a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Slow Cooker Apple Crumble

Ingredients:
6 apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
100g butter, melted

Instructions

Preparing apples

Place the peeled and sliced apples in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, and toss to coat evenly.

Making crumble topping

In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix until crumbly.

Assembling

Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples in the slow cooker.

Slow cooking

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.

Serving

Serve the slow cooker apple crumble warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of custard.

Check out Briscoes’ range of slow cookers

In winter, the slow cooker becomes a must-have in your kitchen, making cooking easier and flavors more delicious. From hearty stews to comforting desserts, it delivers convenience and great taste with little effort. Embrace its warmth and homemade meals this season.

Ready to upgrade your kitchen? Check out Briscoes for a variety of slow cookers.