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Sunday, 18 October 2026

Take Things Slowly With These Four Slow Cooker Recipe Suggestions


Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder
For dinner, slowly cooking this lamb shoulder on low is ideal,
but for lunch cook on high to save yourself an early start.
Ingredients
Serves 5 -6
3 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
2 rosemary sprigs, needles picked and finely chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
2 tsp olive oil
1 lamb shoulder (about 1.5kg/3lb 5oz), boned and rolled
1 large onion with skin left on, thickly sliced
2 small carrots, trimmed, scrubbed and halved lengthways
600ml/20fl oz hot lamb stock (made with a stock pot if possible)
2 tbsp redcurrant jelly, plus extra to serve
2–4 tbsp cornflour (or gravy granules, see tip)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs, to garnish (optional)
mint sauce, to serve
Instructions
with recipe tips can be seen here


Slow Cooker Easy Beef Stew
An easy slow cooker beef stew that's ready when you are.
Throw store cupboard ingredients into the slow cooker with some inexpensive braising steak.
Serve with mash, my lower carb favourite is swede!
Ingredients
Serves 6
600ml/20fl oz just-boiled water
1 beef stock cube
2 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp yeast extract
900g/2lb good-quality braising steak, trimmed and cut into roughly 4cm/1½in chunks
100g/3½oz smoked bacon lardons, or sliced smoked back bacon
2 onions, thinly sliced
4 carrots (about 400g/14oz), peeled and cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks
4 celery sticks, trimmed and cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in lengths
3 tbsp plain flour (25g/1oz)
1 tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra to season
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
1 bay leaf (dried or fresh)
ground black pepper
Instructions
with recipe tips can be seen here


Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
This traditional chicken stew is rich and full flavoured, with classic Italian ingredients.
Adding lots of vegetables means only a small amount of meat is needed per person.
The sauce is generous so if you want to stretch it a bit further, add a few more chicken thighs.
Ingredients
Serves 6
2 onions, finely chopped
2 celery sticks, finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, sliced
6 large boneless chicken thighs, skin removed
2 red, orange or yellow peppers, cut into big chunks
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
150ml/5fl oz chicken stock, made with 1 stock cube
2 tsp dried basil
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp wine or balsamic vinegar
75g/2¾oz olives, stones removed and drained
salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve
freshly cooked pasta, potatoes or cheesy polenta
My lower carb choices; freshly cooked green vegetables or salad
Instructions
can be seen here


Slow Cooker Ratatouille
Serves 6
Tender Mediterranean vegetables in a rich tomato and garlic sauce are easy to prepare in a slow cooker. Ratatouille will keep well in the fridge for up to three days.
Don’t be tempted to skip some of the olive oil here as it adds a real silkiness to the sauce. 
Ingredients
Serves 6
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium aubergine/eggplant, cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks
2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced
2 medium courgettes/zucchini, halved lengthways and cut into roughly 2cm/¾in slices
1 large red pepper, cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks
1 large yellow pepper, cut into roughly 3cm/1¼in chunks
400g tin chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato purée
2 tsp caster sugar
1 tsp dried oregano
2 dried bay leaves, or 1 fresh bay leaf
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
with recipe tips can be seen here

For readers who do not have a slow cooker
have a look at these lower carb recipe suggestions
Chicken Choices : See here
Pork Choices : See here
Fish Choices : See here
Vegetarian Choices : See here
Vegan Choices : See here

Lots to choose from above, do keep in mind that recipes can always be tweaked
to accommodate your needs, likes, dislikes etc.


Dear reader, you will find a variety of recipe ideas within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. Always take account of your personal circumstances, needs, illnesses and medication you may be taking. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

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