Heat the oil in a large heavy based casserole over a medium to high heat. Dust the ox cheeks with the seasoned flour, then add to the casserole and brown for three to four minutes. Remove from the casserole and set aside.

Don’t own a slow cooker? Don’t panic! The recipes in this book can be cooked either conventionally in the oven or in your slow cooker. Meanwhile, make the caramel by adding the sugar in an even layer into the base of a pan, on a medium to low heat, and watch as it turns to caramel, stirring occasionally. As soon as the sugar melts, add the butter. As soon as the butter has melted, add the cream and salt. Cook on a low heat for two minutes until you have a smooth caramel. Take off the heat. If time allows, roast the squash first. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Place the squash in a bowl, drizzle with some oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter onto a baking tray and roast in the oven for 30 minutes. Slow cooking is not only the best method for transforming basic ingredients into something special, but there is a feeling of satisfaction that develops inside knowing that the work is done and the magic is happening in the pot.Add all the ingredients apart from the honey to your slow cooker and season with salt and pepper. Add the butternut squash and stir to combine. Put the lid on and cook on the low setting for six hours or for four hours on high. Meanwhile, add the asparagus spears to a pan of boiling salted water and simmer for 2–3 minutes until tender. Remove with tongs, drain and set aside; keep warm. But slow cooking is by no means confined to meat; vegetables benefit from the process too. Onions melt away, root vegetables become tender and sweet – the possibilities are endless. Toss around to make sure the tomatoes are well coated. Scatter on to the lined tray, cut side up, and roast in the oven for 45 minutes. One of the nicest things I found is I would have been able to make the 1st meal from the book the day after the book arrived as there was a few recipes that I had all the ingredients in the cupboard/fridge already, so no need to go shopping immediately for fancy ingredients.

Spoon a layer of the mushroom mixture into your slow cooker. Top with a layer of the griddled courgettes, then some of the white sauce, then sprinkle over some of the grated Parmesan. Repeat until all these ingredients have been used up, but make sure you finish with a layer of white sauce scattered with cheese. Then add a layer of tomato slices, pop the lid on and cook on the high setting for four hours.

Slow cookers are often confined to heavy winter recipes made with stodgy ingredients and with poor nutritional content. Cook Slow: Light and Healthyshows you just how versatile your slow cooker can be with effortless, nourishing recipes inspired by dishes from around the world. Avoid boring ‘diet food’ and cook slow to create healthy, wholesome food for balanced eating. Remove the lamb from the casserole and use forks to shred the meat slightly, then return it to the casserole.

Heat the oil in a large heavy-based casserole over a medium to high heat. Dust the meat with the flour, then add to the casserole in batches and seal for 5-6 minutes, until golden. Remove from the casserole and set aside. When it comes to his preferred style of cooking, Dean says he really likes home cooking and simple family meals. Cook for a further five minutes before adding the chopped tomatoes, sugar, sweet pimentón, hot pimentón and a pinch of salt (don’t overseason at this point as the serrano or chorizo will release more salt when baking). Cook for 10 minutes over a low heat, then add the parsley. Add the onion and garlic to the same pan and fry for three to four minutes. Add the smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, oregano and chilli powder and cook for another minute. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. In a bowl, whisk the mascarpone and half the orange zest and juice. Add a splash of the cream if it needs loosening a little. Cover and chill.

Best Ever Spaghetti Bolognaise

Slow cookers are often confined to heavy winter recipes made with stodgy ingredients and with poor nutritional content. Cook Slow: Light and Healthyshows you just how versatile your slow cooker can be with effortless, nourishing recipes inspired by dishes from around the world. Avoid boring 'diet food' and cook slow to create healthy, wholesome food for balanced eating. Season the lamb and sear in a very hot, dry, large, heavy-based casserole until golden. This is an important step because it will render away lots of the fat. Pour away most of the fat, then add the onion, carrot and rosemary and cook for five minutes, until softened. Place the figs on the tray, cut-side up, and dot with a little butter. Drizzle the honey over the figs and squeeze over the remaining orange juice. Scatter over the hazelnuts and roast for 14 to 16 minutes or until the figs have caramelised. Remove from the oven and turn off the heat. Combine the flour, cream of tartar, bicarbonate of soda, sweetener, thyme leaves and lemon zest in a large bowl and make a well in the middle.

In a large, shallow dish, whisk the eggs with the cream. Add the vanilla, remaining orange zest and sugar and whisk. Melt a knob of butter in a pan over a medium heat. Dip each slice of brioche into the egg mixture a few seconds on each side. To serve, spread the burrata on the toast, then spoon on some harissa. Top with the tomatoes, then sprinkle on a little more thyme to garnish. I'm working my way through the book now and my non cooking husband even managed to do the Beef Ragu by himself. He was so proud of himself as it was utterly delicious. Spoon three dollops of batter into the pan to form three pancakes. Cook for three minutes on each side, then remove from the pan. Keep warm, wrapped in foil, while you cook the remaining pancakes. Remove the lamb from the slow cooker and use forks to shred the meat slightly. Spoon the lamb and the contents of the slow cooker into a large ovenproof baking dish, then follow steps 6-7 above.

Slow Roasted Shoulder of Lamb

Meanwhile, make the mashed potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes or until softened. Drain and then mash the potatoes along with the butter and warmed milk then season with salt and pepper. (Or if you’re using my cheat of shop-bought mash, pop it in the microwave for three minutes and stir well.) Nadiya Hussain’s banana thyme loaf Nadiya’s banana and thyme loaf is perfect for Mother’s Day (Nadiya’s Fast Flavours by Nadiya Hussain) Don't own a slow cooker? Don't panic! The recipes in this book can be cooked either conventionally in the oven or in your slow cooker. I love that my slow cooker will now be used all year round rather than confined to the colder months.