In this fast paced world we sometimes need to slow down. Trying to balance work, children and home life, there seems to be less and less time to prepare great quality homemade food and after a day of hard graft, it seems so much easier to reach for the phone and order a takeaway.
This is where a slow cooker will ease this burden, as it merely involves a quick turnaround in preparation and the rest is done for you.
For those of you who are not familiar with this type of cooking, or have forgotten how easy it is, the rewards are endless as you open the door to wonderful smells that greet you on your return from work or an away-day, and a delicious Home Made meal will be waiting for you and your family as you come in the door.
Slow cookers are so cheap to use, and are low energy, so won’t stomp up huge electricity bills. They are also ideal for any cut of meat as the slow cooking time softens any ingredient, which simply melts in the mouth.
John Lewis does a fantastic Crock-Pot Slow Cooker at £94.99 which comes with a two year guarantee. http://www.johnlewis.com/crock-pot-csc026-duraceramic-saute-5l-slow-cooker-white/p3078194
If you are on a bit of a budget at the start of the year, we have discovered that Argos has a great range of slow cookers starting at under £10 for one that will easily feed 2 people going up to models that will cater for 8 or more. Another good one is the Cookworks 3.5ltr model at £14.99 http://www.argos.co.uk/product/5329872 This will easily cater for 4-5 people.
Whichever Slow Cooker you chose, consider it an investment because if you are disciplined enough to make it work for you, it will save you heaps of money on takeaways.
Here is one recipe to get you started: A delicious Chicken & Mushroom Casserole
INGREDIENTS Serves :4
4 x Chicken Breasts
2 x Gloves Garlic (peeled but left whole)
1 x Jar Mushroom Sauce (500g)
250g Button Mushrooms, Halved
100g Spinach, chopped
250ml of water or for extra special treat substitute for 250ml of white wine.
We sometimes add a few slices of lean bacon, chopped
METHOD
Prep time 5 min – Cook 10 hr
1) Place all ingredients into slow cooker, cover with lid and cook on LOW for 10 Hours
Enjoy
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