Spiced Apple Butter (Low Sugar)

Apple what now?... Yes a couple of years ago I wondered the same thing, did it actually have butter in it? How was it made and what would I eat it with?

So what exactly is it? Well a fruit butter is usually a stoned fruit, cooked at a low temperature for a prolonged period of time until the natural sweetness of the fruit come to the fore and it becomes a smooth buttery fruit puree.

As a result of this slow cooking process, fruit butters need less added sugar, which makes for a guilt free spread on your morning wholemeal toast, stirred into greek yoghurt or slathered onto pancakes. 

Slow Cooker Sausage and Bean Casserole

This is honest, simple comfort food. It's isn't getting any warmer out there and eating a warming supper with family around the table is what winter is made for. I just love winter food and what could be better than sausages and beans with a pinch of heat.

Damson Plum Butter

What a year it was for Damson plums! My father is a fantastic gardener and he has been growing plums for the last ten years or so now, each year I get a share of the crop and this year was no exception.


Between friends and my fathers share we had 4kgs altogether and after I baked them into muffins, oven roasted them and made numerous upside plum and cinnamon cakes I was running out of ideas!

I took to the all knowing Twitter  and sought the advice of a few good friends. They suggested all sorts of wonderful recipes but one caught my attention ....Plum Cheese.

Now Plum cheese is a very fine idea indeed and something a bit different is always welcome. It was while I was searching for a suitable plum cheese recipe that I came across recipes for Damson Plum butter.

Plum butter is a low sugar alternative to jam, but one that keeps for just as long. It has the most wonderful texture, it is smooth and silky. Just delicious on brown bread, scones and hot buttery toast.

I think that it is one that you will make again and again. I wonder if my father has any more of those damsons left....

Pulled Pork Sandwich with Barbecue Sauce

In my last post I shared with you my favourite Pulled pork recipe - which is really easy to make by the way way - and this is one of my favourite ways to eat it!! 

I just love this BBQ sauce recipe,  it is too tasty for words! I have used it on Spatchcock chicken, spare ribs and now most recently on pulled pork.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is one of those dishes that you will find yourself making again and again. It is trouble free and fairly inexpensive, not to mention the fact that leftovers are never a problem. 

Chunky Black Bean and Chicken Soup

This recipe came about after I had some leftover chicken and stock from my previous post - Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker - so I decided that I could put both to good use in this warming nourishing soup. 

Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker

One of the first dishes I cooked in my slow cooker was a whole chicken - I was so happy with how it turned out that I have stuck to the recipe ever since. This means that with little or no effort on my part (perfect eh!!) I have a beautiful chicken waiting for me when I get home.

Crock Pot Brown Tin Loaf

I made this Brown Tin Loaf a couple of years ago and I really liked it, especially when it is toasted with real butter dripping down the sides.. yum. It is also the ideal bread for toasted sandwiches. With that in mind I thought I should perhaps update the recipe adding a new twist - cooking it in my slow cooker!

Slow Cooker Bread

I was a total skeptic too, how is it that for years I have been preheating my fan oven almost to the point of melting the metal racks! Only to discover that my humble, hard working slow cooker can do the job albeit with one major advantage, both raising and baking the bread and all without any interference from me...score!

Slow Cooker Lasagne (Update)

 

I am reposting (originally posted on the 29-11-13) this recipe because I have added a few updates. This is just a brilliant recipe and perhaps you were lucky enough to get a new slow cooker over Christmas, this might give you some inspiration!

Since I bought my slow cooker a couple of weeks ago, I still take great pleasure in coming through the door (after multiple school runs!) to the smell of dinner cooking. Especially when the recipes I have been cooking for years taste even better than before.

Homemade Pumpkin Purée

Oh I've been so busy, these past couple of weeks that I have been neglecting you, my good readers. Lots of changes happening here, one of which was that I bought a slow cooker. Wow, what a revelation it has been, such a difference it has made to everyday living! I no longer stand over boiling pots while my children do their homework, I can spend lots of time with them, that can only be good right?