National slow cooker month

January is National Slow Cooker Month, the perfect time to dust off this handy kitchen gadget and embrace its potential for creating hearty, comforting meals. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling schedules, or simply someone who loves delicious, fuss-free cooking, the slow cooker is a must-have. This versatile appliance allows you to create flavourful dishes with minimal effort, leaving you more time to relax. In this blog, we’ll explore the joys of slow cooking and share some fantastic recipes.

 

The Joy of Slow Cooking

Slow cooking isn’t just about convenience; it’s also a great way to save money, reduce food waste, and enjoy tender, flavour-packed meals. By cooking low and slow, cheaper cuts of meat transform into succulent, melt-in-your-mouth delights, while flavours develop and intensify over hours.

Slow cookers are also energy-efficient, using far less electricity than a standard oven. So, not only are you saving time and effort, but you’re also saving on your energy bills—a win-win for any household!

 

Tips for slow cooker success

• Prep in Advance: Chop vegetables and measure ingredients the night before for a stress-free start in the morning.
• Layer Wisely: Place harder vegetables like carrots and potatoes at the bottom, with meats and softer ingredients on top.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Leave some space to allow for even cooking.
• No Peeking: Resist the temptation to lift the lid—every peek can add 20–30 minutes to the cooking time.

Why not try out some of the recipes below.

Slow cooker beef and ale stew

Slow cooker chickpea curry with sweet potatoes and red peppers

Slow cooker apple and cinnamon porridge

This slow cooker apple cinnamon oatmeal is a delicious vegan and gluten free flavoursome overnight breakfast. The oatmeal is sweetened with coconut condensed milk and cooked over several hours resulting in soft ,creamy melt-in-your-mouth oatmeal.

Recipe: That girl cooks healthy, view the recipe here