Author: julessmithie

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

I think this is one of my favourite slow cooker recipes why?? because it has very few ingredients, its so easy to make but it tastes amazing.

There is nothing over complicated about this recipe the only thing you will need to do is reduce the sauce especially if you are using chicken thighs. Chicken thighs allow more fat to be added to the sauce which can make it difficult to reduce it to a thick sticky consistency.

So how are you going to create a sticky sauce?? first method is have patience place the sauce in a large frying pan on a high heat and keep removing the pan from the heat this will allow the honey to solidify so you can judge how much the sauce has reduced.

Or you can reduce the sauce and add a corn flour slurry this is usually 1 teaspoon of corn flour mixed with cold water – if you decide to use this method do not take your eyes off the pan the corn flour will thicken really quickly. Do not reduce the sauce too far as you want it to coat all the chicken.

If you like these types of easy no faff recipes you can find this recipe and more in my new cookbook MY SLOW COOKER MEALS which is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle format press here for my Amazon Shop the look under cookbooks https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

Lemon Curd & Blueberry Baked Oats

This recipe is from my cookbook Lighter Bites but i have amended it slightly the book is available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle format press here for my Amazon Shop then look under COOKBOOKS https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

I have made this recipe many times and it works so well it can either be used as a pudding or a breakfast – however did you know you can prep these ahead of time and keep them in the fridge or freeze them. All you need to do is reheat them in the microwave.

Lately i have been using my air fryer to cook these as its so much easier than an oven with my air fryer i start off at 180 for approx 10 minutes then turn it up to 190 an cook for a further 5 minutes. I like the texture firm on my baked oats if you like a softer texture then cook them for less time.

by julessmithie

Chicken Fajita Quesadilla

This recipe has been created to reduced food waste especially cooked chicken either from Sunday Dinner or packet chicken you have bought and is left in the fridge after only using half of it.

I used chicken but you could easily use pork, ham, beef etc, these quesadilla make a fantastic quick lunch or evening meal. There is no recipe card for this one but you can see what i used in the video below.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Cooker Bean & Vegetable Soup

A fantastic winter soup perfect for lunches, plus it can also be used to add those bits in the fridge that are heading for the bin. You can use any beans you like i used butterbeans but any will do use any that are lurking in your cupboards that are not making it into any meals you have eaten.

This soup batch cooks well and freezes well so perfect for staying on plan when you are busy. As the recipe uses beans and pulses it also makes it higher in protein which will keep you fuller for longer.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Tomato Soup

Another soup from my website that I have amended and changed to a slow cooker version. I changed the recipe slightly to add carbohydrates which will help keep you fuller for longer.

A recipe that gets such great reviews you will see i use balsamic vinegar to sweeten the soup as i think it gives a better taste but you can use sugar or sweetener if you wish.

This recipe also appears in my Cookbook MY FAKEAWAY & EVENING MEALS which is available on Amazon In paperback & kindle format press here https://amzn.eu/d/8iJRPY1

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Parsnip Soup

This is going to be a love or hate recipe personally i loved it but then again i love parsnips. You can also add any other vegetables you have that need using up it will still work and taste amazing.

I made this in December and unfortunately only got around to eating half of it so i froze the rest and can say it freezes well so a fantastic recipe for batch cooking.

For extra flavour you can add curry powder i didn’t i just added salt and pepper but its your soup so feel free to add whatever you and your family like.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Cauliflower & Broccoli Soup

This is another amazing slow cooker soup recipe, so easy to make but really tasty. Perfect for those who follow Slimming World, Calorie Counting, Weight Watchers and Low Fat Diets.

In the written recipe you will see i have added a potato which is missing from the video after I made this on my Facebook live I realised there were no carbohydrates or very little in the recipe. A potato will also give the soup a thick texture. add carbohydrates turning the soup into a Fuller for longer soup.

Red spilt Lentils you can buy in any supermarket they are dry lentils which you just wash and rinse then add to the slow cooker. Lentils are great for protein and are relatively inexpensive.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Leek & Potato Soup

What a fantastic way to cook soup as you know the slow cooker will always win for me as it frees up my time to get on with life.

Use any cream cheese you like or even cream the choice is yours. I added 1ltr of water but you may need to add more, if the soup gets too thick after blending add small amounts of water until you get the consistency you want.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Carrot & Coriander Soup

When you are short on time the best way to get food on the table is to throw it into the slow cooker. This is an old recipe that is cooked on the hob but i decided to cook it in the slow cooker as i was so busy i didn’t have time to watch pans cook.

I added red lentils to bulk out the recipe plus lentils are great for gut health and full of protein so help keep you fuller for longer.

by julessmithie

Chilli Cheesy Nacho Feast

This is a recipe i use lots mainly because its so easy and you can have it on the table in the time it takes the chips to cook.

We always have a portion of Chilli in our freezer (you could use spag bol for this also) which really speeds up the cooking process and works perfectly in this recipe.

For my chilli recipe press here https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2016/10/05/slow-cooker-chilli/

How i cook my chips and wedges press here https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2019/08/14/healthy-chips-wedges/

When i make this recipe the key is to cook the chips / wedges approx 90% through because you need to put them back into the oven or under the grill for 5-10 mins for the cheese to melt and you don’t want burned chips, that little bit of time it takes the cheese to melt will finish off the cooking of the chips.

by julessmithie

Cauliflower & Broccoli Cheese Bake

I love cauliflower cheese but Graeme doesn’t so I have never really made it to be served as a side to any of my dinners, also the faff of making a “real” sauce really puts me off .

But you know me where there is a will there is a way I decided to try and create a recipe that takes on the essence of Cauliflower cheese but isn’t the real deal.

In this recipe I used Primula cream cheese as the sauce and to be honest it works really well as a quick “hack” I added a sprinkle of Mustard Powder and next time I will add slightly more as I think for me it enhanced the taste.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Ham Broth

This a new take on an old recipe my mum used to make which my brother and I called “gruel” OK it wasn’t awful or anything like that but when you are little all you really want to eat is sausage egg and chips 🤣🤣

I remember my mum cooking this in our pressure cooker, that gadget used to put the fear of god into me wondering if the house was going to blowing up – that tiny little weight thing on top of the lid rattling for dear life.

Pressure cookers like everything else in life have come a long way thankfully and so has this recipe or my take on it.

Let’s talk broth mix, when you are using a slow cooker you really don’t need to presoak the broth mix if you leave it long enough it will cook perfectly. However that’s where the problem lies you could end up with crunchy lentils if it’s not cooked for the correct period of time, so I have suggested you presoaking them.

I used leftover Gammon / Ham in my recipe but you can really use anything leftover lamb, bacon chicken but if the meat is cooked add it the last hour of cooking.

If you are confident in using your slow cooker this is a perfect recipe for overnight cooking providing the smell of cooking wafting through the house doesn’t wake you up.

by julessmithie

Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken

I have seen various recipes for this floating around social media but I wanted to try and tweak it slightly to make it more calorie friendly.

The recipe states 1 chicken breast or 2 if you like the reason for this is when you start to add vegetables into this recipe together with the pasta it really does make loads depending on your portion sizes this easily serves 3. I used 1 chicken breast and i felt it was enough when everything was added but as always do what suits you best.

This recipe isn’t cast in stone as it’s perfect for adding all those bits in the fridge that need using up and when you see the “how to video” you will see i added ingredients that are optional but definetly not necessary.

In short it’s a fab base recipe for you to add whatever you like to it.

by julessmithie

Sweet & Sour Chicken Nuggets

I have been trying to make this recipe since the beginning of January 🙈 as its a perfect vegetarian recipe for Meat Free Monday but as with all things in my life it takes time to get these things done.

However, here we are and I can definitely say this one was worth the wait it was amazing really hit the spot and if you’re craving a takeaway then maybe give this a try.

Use any chicken nuggets you like i used Quorn to keep the recipe vegetarian but any will work. In the recipe you will see i have said either add the nuggets to the pan after they are cooked and coat them in the sauce or pour the sauce over them.

The reason for this is that to coating on the nuggets can go soft and a little “soggy” if you leave them sitting in the sauce too long – but to be honest I really enjoyed them that way, this is one of those personal preference things.

OK let’s get to the million dollar question regarding SYNS or calories unfortunately I can’t give you that information because it depends on the ingredients used.

Tomato Sauce – depends on the brand you use at the minute I’m using Tesco own brand low salt low sugar which is 7 Cals per tablespoon such a fantastic find – but yours maybe different and much higher or lower in calories.

Sugar – If you are following Slimming World Sweetener is now synned but if you are a rebel like me then I don’t and won’t syn its because I don’t use it anywhere else in my diet. Remember to do whatever is best for you and the diet plan you are following.

by julessmithie

Garlic & Rosemary Smashed Roast Potatoes

During the Winter months I think there are only so many times you can eat roast potatoes before you start looking for an alternative or a different flavour and here we are.

These were gorgeous they really took on the garlic and rosemary flavour but without it being overpowering . Plus they made a fantastic change to normal roasties.

My top tip is once you have cut your potatoes stand them in a bowl of cold water for as long as possible I usually Chop mine first thing on a morning and leave them until dinner time. This removes some of the starch from the potatoes making them easier to cook and they also seem to need less oil.

I also par boiled my potatoes in the microwave, it’s just so much easier this way plus your potatoes don’t absorb loads of water making them “mushy”. It is definetly easier to cook them once par boiled plus it reduces the cooking time.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Marmalade & Black Pepper Gammon

I wanted to create a budget family friendly meal especially for Sunday Dinner and I can say with full confidence I definitely nailed it.

The gammon was perfect I used 1kg unsmoked Gammon which we got from the Co-op costing £3.50 this joint will feed a family of four or more depending on what you served with it.

One recurring comment with Gammon is “mine falls apart and does not slice” this is because the gammon is overcook, there is nothing wrong with that shredded Gammon is gorgeous.

If you want your Gammon to slice you need a digital meat thermometer and once the internal cooked temperature is reached remove it from the slow cooker.

The digital meat thermometer I use is on my Amazon Shop press here https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

LO DOUGH PIZZA

I was kindly gifted some pizza bases by Lo Dough I have heard lots of good things about them so decided to take up their offer.

There are so many recipes you can make from the bases but I went for standard pizza because I think we can all gauge how good or not so good something is from pizza.

I made 2 pizzas one for me one for Graeme, he is way more fussy than I am so when testing out things like this I always get him to taste too.

We both really enjoyed them but I do think you need to get the heat under the base to crisp it so I used an oven tray with holes in to allow this to happen.

The video below is a brief demonstration of how I cooked ours.

You can find more information regarding Lo Dough here https://lodough.co

by julessmithie

SLOW COOKER BUTTERNUT SQUASH & SWEET POTATO SOUP

Another recipe update for 2024 and once again i have transferred it over to the slow cooker but as always you can do this on a pan on the hob if you wish.

Look out for the butternut squash hack in my video i promise it will save you so much time trying to cut these beasts of a vegetable.

All of my recipes are Slimming World and Calorie Counting friendly and low in fat so perfect for those trying to lose weight.

In the video towards the end you will see i added chorizo to the whole batch of soup i just fancied something different you could add bacon or lardons etc. Here is the thing all recipes are just guides so its up to you to add whatever it is you fancy, herbs, cream, more stock etc. All our palettes taste differently so my advice is once you come to blend the soup taste it and adjust it at this point even if you want to add another stock pot just add it from the pot and mix it and the heat of the soup should dissolve it.

The vegetable chopper and slow cooker i use in my video is on my Amazon Shop press the link it will take you there then look under KITCHEN GADGETS https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Bread

I used to love making this with the kids when they were little, but haven’t made it for years. Tesco decided to substitute my flour order when Covid first hit and gave us a 3.5 kg bag of bread mix 🙈

That is a lot of bread mix but we were determined to use it! What slowed the process is me and my neck injury I can’t knead dough so I needed Graeme and booking his free time is like catch gold dust.

As you will see we got there and I actually found out my food processor has a dough hook so I can now do it all myself.

This recipe is for using a packet of bread mix but you can use any bread recipe you like. 500g of flour is what my recipe is based around this is because its the maximum for my 3.5 ltr slow cooker.

If you watch the video carefully you will see how big the dough ball is before it’s cooked and how big it is after its cooked, it needs room to rise and prove.

Adding water to the mix I used it said use 370ml of water BUT I have learned over the years that flours are different and they don’t all absorb liquid at the same rate. I started my dough mixture by adding approx 300ml of water.

Then add small amounts once the dough starts to come together and you have incorporated all the flour into a sticky mixture and it comes away cleanly from the sides of the blow it’s ready.

I would say for the bread mix Im working with in the video I used 350ml water in total.

You can leave the bread plain or add any flavours you like… cheese is gorgeous, but doesn’t make great jam on toast 😉

I cooked on high for 2hrs but all slow cookers don’t work the same so. I would suggest you cook your first loaf whist you’re in the house. It’s cooked when you tap the bottom and it sounds hollow same as cooking bread in the oven.

The big question you are all going to ask is calories or syns this is impossible to answer as it’s going to depend on the bread mix you use and how many slices you cut it into.

Below are some types of bread mixes you will find in most susupermarkets these images are from Tesco.

Kneading using a food processor in video below

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

Another fantastic Christmas drink we absolutely loved this recipe and it worked well with the cider I used.

There is no right or wrong Mulled Cider recipe its just about adding whatever fruit you like some spices then some sweetness.

The amount of sugar you will need to add will depend on which cider you use for the one in the video I added 1 Tablespoon and didn’t need to add anymore.

You can use a mulled wine kit if you wish instead of messing around with spices etc. Or if you have any lemon and honey tea bags drop one of those in that will work well too.

by julessmithie