Month: December 2016

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

This works a treat and a lovely way of getting ahead of the game as you can do this in the morning pop it on low and walk away without worrying is it too hot or has it gone cold

My top tip here is only add 2 or 3 tablespoons of sugar because it is going to depend on the wine you use as to how much sugar you really need and how sweet you like it….. you can always add but not take away so let the wine cook taste and gradually add more sugar if needed.

You will see in the video (a very old one lol) i will remake this at some point, i used all fresh fruits and spices but if you really do not want to bother with this you can always just use a Mulled Wine Kit from the supermarket i have done this many times and they are equally as good.

There is no right or wrong recipe for Mulled Wine its basically a case of adding whatever you like to get the taste you like, the recipe here is just a guide.

Sit back relax and enjoy your Christmas and your wine

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Pease Pudding

If your from “up North” then you probably know what this is but if not then its worth giving it a go Pease pudding is basically split yellow peas cooked and then blended, then once cooled served with cold meats or in my case a huge ham and pease pudding bap ……..hmmmm nom nom! (its a childhood thing lol)

I have added a carrot and shallot you really cant pick these out once cooked and blended they just add a little something to the flavour

This is syn free if following slimming world

by julessmithie

Winter Slaw

This makes a fantastic accompaniment to any dish and basically it will go with anything your eating you can used whatever veggies you like but if your adding tomatoes and cucumber add them before serving or the slaw will go soggy and there is nothing worse than a soggy slaw haha!

If following Slimming World this is a brilliant way to get speed veggies on your plate and its totally syn free!

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Another easy one my only trouble with this and slimming world is that im not sure of cooking a pork joint in their recommended syn free sauce i mean how much fat comes out of a pork joint??? loads! and thats even after you have removed as much as you can see.  However as always the choice is yours, i decided to do the pulled pork without the sauce and add it once cooked i did this mainly because Graeme doesn’t like BBQ sauce but done this way you can feed any army and let them add whatever they like

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Bacon Broth

This is a take on a childhood meal that my mum used to make but ive updated it slightly and of course in true Jules style simplified it – this makes about 4 big bowls and its really filling and again add whatever veggies you like! You will see i added turnip i know this seems weird but the sweetness from the turnip/swede really works well against the salty bacon.

On slimming world this is syn free when you remove all fat from lardons or bacon whichever you use the consistency can be quite thick and if your not keen on this add more water towards the end of cooking lentils do soak up lots of water.  This dish will also freeze well

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

This has got to be one of the easiest soups I have ever made, I made this when I was struggling to manage my pain flare ups basically just to get food on the table.

It’s another recipe that you can add any vegetables you like and especially those that need using up.

This makes 4 big bowls but will freeze well if you want to batch cook it, this is part of my “Fuller For Longer” soup recipes as it contains proteins and carbohydrates which will help with that midday snack attack.

by julessmithie

Baked Gingerbread Man

Another twist on baked oats and because we are coming up to Christmas i thought i would give them a seasonal flavour i love ginger and this gingerbread syrup is gorgeous

These are syn free if using porridge as HEb and a syn free yogurt – the yogurt i used is half a syn if i had more moulds i would have batch cooked and popped them in the freezer as they make a fab “grab and go” breakfast

by julessmithie

Slow cooker beef goulash

This is a perfect winter warmer and for me had the right amount of heat and spice if your not good with spicy foods then only add a small chilli and take the seeds out this dish makes 4 big portions but will freeze well

On slimming world this is completely syn free and if you dont sweat down the onions it really is a chop and chuck it in jobby. Once cooked stir through some fat free yogurt to get a really creamy sauce.

I softened off the onion but this is optional if you dont have time chop it and chuck it in the slow cooker, then add all the above ingredients, do not add any further liquid you can always add a splash at the end if it gets too thick. On low for approx 7 hours once cooked stir through some fat free yogurt which will give the sauce a lovely creamy taste.

by julessmithie