Thursday 29 September 2011

Slow and tasty wins the race

I am a rubbish cook. There, I said it. I suck at cooking because half the time I can't be bothered to do it. It seems like a lot of work for ten minutes of enjoyment, and then there's the mountain of washing up to deal with... I am definitely a 'won't cook'.

Or at least, I was...

Just to put it in context here, I am 26, live alone, and have never had much cause to have to do a lot of cooking. I don't have any young siblings, children, or dinner-party type friends. Just me. So when it comes down to it, I tend to cook because I have to, not because I enjoy it.

All of this changed recently when I discovered the magic and wonder of a slow cooker. It has changed my life. No more messing about with complicated recipes or timings or ingredients, or hours in the kitchen when I've got in from work and can't be bothered to continue working because I just want to chill out: I just whack the stuff in, switch it on, go to work, come home, and sit on my bum feeling very smug until about six o'clock when I open the lid and dish up something delicious.

If it was legal to marry an electrical appliance you would be looking at Mrs.Tesco SC356 Slow Cooker right about now.

In honour of my new slow cooker love, here is a little recipe I want to share because I love it so much! It has come to be known as Pork Thinger and is truly delicious.



Add chopped onions to the pot. I used red because the so-called 'super' market didn't have any white.

Slice an apple, I chose Granny Smith, and put a layer over the onions.

Whack some pork shoulder on top.

Mix some stock with some cider. I used one of those Marco Pierre White stock pot thingers, and I chose some Suffolk dry cider. I used 300ml stock and 200ml cider.

Pour over. Add salt and pepper. Whack on high for about seven or eight hours. That's about how long I go to work for.

Near the end, add a couple dollops of sour cream and stir through.

EAT!


I realised at this point I hadn't photographed the finished product. Well, it was just too delicious!

If you have any tried and tested slow cooker recipes, please give them to me!

5 comments:

  1. Oh my!
    Now, I haven't got a slow cooker, but I am one for the casserole- stick it in and put the oven timer on for 3 hours before you want to eat.
    Delish.
    My fav is beef, oinion, stout, stock, carrot and mushroom. If you have time, brown the beef and onions a bit, if not, just whack it all in and Bobs your Uncle!
    Xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello! That looks like a great dinner. I love my slow cooker and use it if I am going to be out all day or at work. (If I remember to defrost the meat in advance, which I invariably don't.)
    I make my own recipes up (get moi) but it's just cut up steak, veggies and some stock. Nothing very exciting!
    Might try your Pork Thinger though, it sounds delicious.
    x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Slow cookers are a god-sent around this time of year. My hubby and I have a old slow cooker..but it is still going strong. My hubby makes some lovely curries in there..but he never follows any recipes..so I wouldn't really be able to say what amounts he puts in etc :P I will have to give your recipe a try though..I have a bunch of apples that are in need of using up.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Annaboo, the beef in stout recipe sounds like a winner. I will be trying a vaiation of it next week. :)

    Missy, I'm a bugger for forgetting to defrost stuff and frequently end up with no tea! I think the magic of the slow cooker means invented stuff comes out great! x

    Magie, I haven't attempted curry yet but I definitely will. If you try the pork I hope you like it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Slow cookers are fab, i use my aga for slow cooking but actually the electric one I used to have was better cos it never burns. I love slow cooked stews, chillis and curries. yum!

    ReplyDelete

I love reading your comments and I love looking at your blogs, too. If you ask a question I will most likely reply within this comments section so please do check back. Either way I like popping over to your blogs to say hello, too!