Easy slow cooker recipes for autumn and winter

As the crisp air of autumn indicates the arrival of the colder months, there's nothing quite as comforting as a warm, hearty meal to fill your home with inviting aromas. A slow cooker can be a really easy way to create delicious and soul-satisfying dishes. It can be particularly beneficial for older individuals for several reasons, making it an excellent kitchen appliance for this demographic.

In this blog, we'll explore a few effortless slow cooker recipes tailored for the autumn and winter seasons, ensuring your meals are nourishing and a celebration of seasonal flavours, as well as looking at some of the benefits of using this kitchen tool.

Benefits of a Slow Cooker

Slow cookers are user-friendly with simple controls, typically involving setting the temperature and timer. This simplicity makes them accessible and easy for older individuals to operate. They also tend to operate at lower temperatures compared to stovetop cooking, reducing the risk of burns or accidents. They also have secure lids, minimising the chances of spills or splatters.

Once ingredients are added and the settings are adjusted, slow cookers require minimal attention, so if you have limited mobility, you will be able to prepare a meal in the morning, and by the time they're ready to eat, a nutritious and flavourful dish is ready without constant monitoring. Additionally, slow cooking at lower temperatures helps preserve the nutritional content of ingredients. This is crucial for those who may have specific dietary needs or require a higher intake of certain nutrients.

Beef and Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

• 500g stewing beef, cubed
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 parsnips, peeled and sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 400g potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 500ml beef stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Place the beef, carrots, parsnips, onion, garlic, and potatoes in the slow cooker.
• Mix the tomato paste with the beef stock and pour it into the slow cooker.
• Add bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
• Cook on low for 8 hours.
• Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley.

Chicken and Leek Casserole

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 2 leeks, sliced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 200g button mushrooms, sliced
• 250ml chicken stock
• 150ml white wine
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 150ml double cream

Instructions:

• Coat chicken thighs in flour and place them in the slow cooker.
• Add leeks, carrots, and mushrooms.
• Mix chicken stock, white wine, tarragon, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken and vegetables.
• Cook on low for 6 hours.
• Stir in double cream just before serving.

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Spiced Apple and Pear Crumble

Ingredients:

• 4 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 4 pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 150g plain flour
• 75g rolled oats
• 75g unsalted butter, cubed
• 75g demerara sugar

Instructions:

• In a bowl, toss the sliced apples and pears with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
• Transfer the fruit mixture to the slow cooker.
• In a separate bowl, mix flour, oats, and demerara sugar. Rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
• Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the fruit in the slow cooker.
• Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
• Serve warm with custard or vanilla ice cream.

Embrace the warmth of autumn and winter with these easy slow cooker recipes. From hearty stews to soul-soothing soups, these dishes are effortless and celebrate the rich flavours of the season. Let your slow cooker do the work while you savour the comforting aromas and enjoy wholesome, homemade meals.

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