Tamarind Beef and Mushroom Casserole

This dish from a Waitrose recipe has been adapted to be made in a thermal cooker.

Course

Beef, Main Dish

Cuisine

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
400 g pack of beef diced
1 onion roughly chopped
1 large carrot roughly chopped
1 small swede roughly chopped
1 parsnips roughly chopped
1 leek sliced
4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
2 red chilies halved lengthways
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
100 g jar of tamarind paste
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown muscovado sugar
400 ml beef stock
250 g chestnut mushrooms quartered
in Coriander leaves and rice cookedthe top pot

Course

Beef, Main Dish

Cuisine

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
400 g pack of beef diced
1 onion roughly chopped
1 large carrot roughly chopped
1 small swede roughly chopped
1 parsnips roughly chopped
1 leek sliced
4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
2 red chilies halved lengthways
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
100 g jar of tamarind paste
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown muscovado sugar
400 ml beef stock
250 g chestnut mushrooms quartered
in Coriander leaves and rice cookedthe top pot

Instructions

Heat the oil in the inner pot and brown the meat in batches transferring it to a plate once browned.
Add the vegetables to the pot and cook for a few minutes.
Add the garlic, chili and ginger and cook for a further minute.
Return the browned meat to the pot with any resting juices and stir in the tamarind paste, soy sauce, sugar, stock and mushrooms.
Put the lid on the inner pot and bring to the boil. One boiling place the inner pot into the insulated outer container and shut the lid.
Leave to cook for a minimum of 3 to 4 hours.
Place 2 cups of rice in the inner in the top pot and add 3 cups of water.
Bring to the boil and then give it a stir with a fork to break up any lumps before placing it in the top of the inner pot.
Leave to cook for minimum of 3 to 4 hours.
Serve on a bed of rice with a sprinkling of coriander leaves over the top.

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Venison Sausage Casserole

Venison Sausage Casserole - Video

Another thermal cooker recipe by Mr D from Mr D's Kitchen. A wonderful casserole made with red wine, chestnuts and venison sausages. If you don't like venison though why not use pork or beef sausages and remember this recipe like all of mine will work well in a slow cooker.

Course

Main Dish, Venison

Cuisine

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
6 venison sausages
200 g bacon lardons
2 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
2 onions peeled and sliced
150 g mixed wild mushrooms
3 sticks of celery finely sliced
2 carrots sliced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp juniper berries crushed
2 tbsp tomato puree
375 ml red wine
2 tbsp beef gravy granules
500 ml water
1 tbsp redcurrant jelly
180 g vacuum-packed chestnuts

Course

Main Dish, Venison

Cuisine

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
6 venison sausages
200 g bacon lardons
2 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
2 onions peeled and sliced
150 g mixed wild mushrooms
3 sticks of celery finely sliced
2 carrots sliced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp juniper berries crushed
2 tbsp tomato puree
375 ml red wine
2 tbsp beef gravy granules
500 ml water
1 tbsp redcurrant jelly
180 g vacuum-packed chestnuts

Instructions

Put the inner pot on the cooker.
Turn on the heat to medium and pour in the rapeseed oil.
When hot add venison sausages and brown all over.
Once brown transfer to a plate.
Add the bacon lardons and fry until crisp.
Add the cloves of garlic and fry for 1 minute.
Add 2 onions, the mixed wild mushrooms, the sticks of celery, the carrots, the dried thyme and the juniper berries.
Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until everything softened.
Stir in the tomato puree.
Pour in the red wine, the beef gravy granules, the water, the redcurrant jelly and the vacuum-packed chestnuts.
Stir, add the sausages back and bring to the boil.
Once boiling put the inner pot into the outer container and shut the lid.
Leave to cook without power for a minimum of 2 hours.
Serve with mustard mash.

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Moroccan 7 Vegetable Stew

Moroccan 7 Vegetable Stew - Video

This recipe full of the tastes of Morocco and will suit vegetarian and meat eaters alike. The recipe comes from a great book by Sara Lewis which is full of Slow Cooker meals that can easily be adapted for the thermal cooker.

Course

Main Dish, Vegetarian

Cuisine

Moroccan

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 large onion chopped
2 carrots diced
300 g swede diced
1 red pepper cored deseeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
200 g frozen broad beans
400 g tin chopped tomatoes
3 tsp harissa
1 tsp ground turmeric
2 cm piece of fresh root ginger peeled and finely chopped
300 ml vegetable stock
125 g okra thickly sliced
200 g couscous
320 ml boiling water
juice of 1 lemon

To garnish

mint leaves torn

Course

Main Dish, Vegetarian

Cuisine

Moroccan

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 large onion chopped
2 carrots diced
300 g swede diced
1 red pepper cored deseeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
200 g frozen broad beans
400 g tin chopped tomatoes
3 tsp harissa
1 tsp ground turmeric
2 cm piece of fresh root ginger peeled and finely chopped
300 ml vegetable stock
125 g okra thickly sliced
200 g couscous
320 ml boiling water
juice of 1 lemon

To garnish

mint leaves torn

Instructions

Heat the oil in the inner pot, add the onion and fry stirring, for 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
Add the carrots, swede, red pepper, garlic, beans and tomatoes.
Mix in the harissa, turmeric and ginger.
Pour in the stock, give everything a stir and bring to the boil. When boiling add the okra and bring back to the boil.
If using your top pot to cook the couscous turn down the heat to a simmer and place the top pot into the inner pot.
Add the couscous to the top pot and pour in the boiling water.
Give the couscous a stir before putting the lid on the top pot and placing the inner pot into the insulated outer container.
Shut the lid and leave to cook without power for 2 to 3 hours.
Before serving add the juice of the lemon to the stew.
Once served garnish with some torn leaves of mint.

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Chinese Beef Stew with Peanuts

To celebrate this years Chinese New Year I have made a Chinese beef stew. Unlike most Chinese dishes this calls on the traditional stewing technique of North East China.

Course

Beef, Main Dish

Cuisine

Chinese

Servings

Ingredients

4 tbsp rapeseed oil
4 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 large onion finely chopped
500 g stewing steak cubed
50 g sweet potato chopped
40 g dried porcini mushrooms soaked in hot water
200 g chestnut mushrooms sliced
1 tbsp black bean sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
110 ml chicken stock
75 ml rice wine
100 g roasted peanuts

Course

Beef, Main Dish

Cuisine

Chinese

Servings

Ingredients

4 tbsp rapeseed oil
4 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 large onion finely chopped
500 g stewing steak cubed
50 g sweet potato chopped
40 g dried porcini mushrooms soaked in hot water
200 g chestnut mushrooms sliced
1 tbsp black bean sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
110 ml chicken stock
75 ml rice wine
100 g roasted peanuts

Instructions

Heat the oil in the inner pot and add the garlic and onions. Cook for until the onions soften.
Add the beef and stir-fry until it starts to brown.
Add all of the remaining ingredients except the wine. Top up with more stock or water to cover everything.
Bring to the boil then turn down to the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and place the inner pot into the insulated outer container.
Shut the lid and leave to thermal cook for a minimum of 3 hours.
Before serving stir in the rice wine and check the seasoning.
Serve with rice and stir fried pak choi and a sprinkle of peanuts.

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Pot Roast Beef with Mushrooms

For this dish you an use any beef joint but remember the cheaper cuts will need a lot longer to tenderise them. I served my Pot Roast Beef with lovely creamy mashed potatoes which soaked up all the lovely mushroom gravy. If you have a top pot you can cook your potatoes in that and they will be perfect to mash just before serving.

Course

Beef, Main Dish

Cuisine

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 kg beef joint. If you choose a cheaper cut it will need longer cooking
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 large onion thinly sliced
3 400g tins cream of mushroom soup
1 tsp thyme
3 tbsp beef gravy mix powder
250 g mushrooms sliced
2 bay leaves
water

Course

Beef, Main Dish

Cuisine

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 kg beef joint. If you choose a cheaper cut it will need longer cooking
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 large onion thinly sliced
3 400g tins cream of mushroom soup
1 tsp thyme
3 tbsp beef gravy mix powder
250 g mushrooms sliced
2 bay leaves
water

Instructions

Add the oil to the inner pot over a medium heat.
Brown the meat all over.
Remove the meat and add the onions and garlic. Cook the onions until they a soft.
Place the meat back on the onions and add all the other ingredients.
Pour in some water if the meat is not completely covered.
Bring to the boil and then turn down the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Put the inner pot into the insulated outer container and shut the lid. Cook for a minimum of 4 hours without power depending on the cut of meat. If cooking it longer bring it back to the boil after the 4 hours.
Serve with mashed potatoes and vegetables of your choice

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Keema Indian Street Food

This is a wonderful eat anytime curry adapted from a recipe by Pat Chapman of The Curry Club. The curry is so easy to make and will be loved by all. I added chickpeas to my version as I love them but you could add peas which is more traditional.

Course

Beef, Lamb, Main Dish, Pork

Cuisine

Indian

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
2 medium red onions chopped
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
5 cm piece of fresh ginger finely chopped
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp coriander ground
1 tsp chilli powder use less if you don't like your curries too hot
4 cloves
1 cardamom
500 g mince. This can be lamb, beef or pork which ever you like
400 g tin of tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
225 g tin tomato soup
400 g tin chickpeas
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tbsp fenugreek

To Serve

boiled rice This can be cooked at the same time in the top pot
salt
2 hard boiled eggs sliced

Course

Beef, Lamb, Main Dish, Pork

Cuisine

Indian

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
2 medium red onions chopped
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
5 cm piece of fresh ginger finely chopped
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp coriander ground
1 tsp chilli powder use less if you don't like your curries too hot
4 cloves
1 cardamom
500 g mince. This can be lamb, beef or pork which ever you like
400 g tin of tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
225 g tin tomato soup
400 g tin chickpeas
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tbsp fenugreek

To Serve

boiled rice This can be cooked at the same time in the top pot
salt
2 hard boiled eggs sliced

Instructions

Add the ghee or oil to the inner pot over a medium heat.
Fry the onions, garlic and ginger until the onions start to soften.
Turn down the heat slightly and add the turmeric, coriander, chilli powder, cloves, cardamom and a little water if too dry. Cook for 5 minutes stirring from time to time.
Mix in the meat, tomatoes, ketchup and soup. Turn up the heat and bring to the boil while stirring from time to time.
Add the garam masala and fenugreek. Simmer for 5 minutes with the lid on before putting the inner pot into the insulated outer container.
Shut the lid and leave to thermally cook for a minimum of 2 hours without power.
Check the seasoning before serving. Serve with rice and sliced boiled eggs on top

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Carbonnade flamande – Flemish Stew

Carbonnade flamande - Flemish Stew

This Flemish beef stew, or carbonnade flamande, is the national dish of Belgium. It is the perfect dish to serve to friends on a cold winters evening. I love to serve it with crispy potatoes in their jackets but it would be equally lovely with smooth mashed potatoes which would just soak up the lovely rich gravy.

Course

Beef, Main Dish

Cuisine

Flemish

Servings

Ingredients

¼ kg stewing beef cut into 4cm cubes
400 ml Trappist ale such as Leffe or Chimay or other dark ale
3 cloves garlic lightly crushed
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp plain flour seasoned with salt and pepper
2-3 tbsp rapeseed oil
250 g diced pancetta
2 carrots sliced
2 onions sliced
1 leek sliced
1 tbsp tomato puree
350 ml beef stock
1 in bouquet garni (a small bunch of thyme parsley stalks, a bay leaf and about 6 peppercorns tiedmuslin)

Course

Beef, Main Dish

Cuisine

Flemish

Servings

Ingredients

¼ kg stewing beef cut into 4cm cubes
400 ml Trappist ale such as Leffe or Chimay or other dark ale
3 cloves garlic lightly crushed
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp plain flour seasoned with salt and pepper
2-3 tbsp rapeseed oil
250 g diced pancetta
2 carrots sliced
2 onions sliced
1 leek sliced
1 tbsp tomato puree
350 ml beef stock
1 in bouquet garni (a small bunch of thyme parsley stalks, a bay leaf and about 6 peppercorns tiedmuslin)

Instructions

Marinate the beef overnight in the ale with the garlic and bay leaves.
The next day, drain the beef from the marinade, reserving the marinade.
Pat the meat dry with kitchen paper and toss it in the seasoned flour until evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour so it is lightly dusted.
Heat 2 tbsp of the rapeseed oil in the inner pot until hot and fry the beef in 3-4 batches for about 5 minutes per batch, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a little more oil between batches but make sure it is hot again before adding the next batch. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon to a plate and set aside.
Lower the heat to medium and fry the pancetta in the inner pot, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden.
Scoop the pancetta out with a slotted spoon and set aside with the beef.
Add the carrots, onions and leek into the inner pot and fry, until they start to brown.
Add the tomato purée, the beef, the reserved marinade, the pancetta, the beef stock and bouquet garni to the casserole.
Season with salt and pepper and bring to the boil.
Once boiling turn down to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes with the lid on.
Turn off the heat and place the inner pot into the vacuum-insulated outer Mr D's Thermal Container.
Shut the lid and leave to thermally cook without power for a minimum of 4 hours.

To serve

Serve mashed potatoes or potatoes in their jackets and greens.

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Sophie’s Amazing Lamb Tagine

Sophie's Amazing Lamb Tagine

The recipe this week is provided by Sophie who will be cooking for the crew of Jubilant during this years Fastnet race. Sophie kindly brought some tagine for us to try at the Midsummer Motorhome Show in Exeter and it was so popular that I decided it had to be included in my weekly recipes.

Course

Lamb, Main Dish

Cuisine

Moroccan

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
2 large onions chopped into small pieces
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cinnamon
1.5 kg lamb cut into chunks. Shoulder is good, but Sophie uses scrag end or neck as it cooks for so long and is far tastier
2 tins chopped tomatoes
500 ml tomato juice or pasata
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
120 gm dried apricots cut in half
60 gm dates cut in half
60 gm sultanas or raisins
100 gm flaked Almonds
1 pinch saffron stamens
500 ml lamb stock
3 tbsp clear honey
1/2 cup parsley chopped

Course

Lamb, Main Dish

Cuisine

Moroccan

Servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
2 large onions chopped into small pieces
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cinnamon
1.5 kg lamb cut into chunks. Shoulder is good, but Sophie uses scrag end or neck as it cooks for so long and is far tastier
2 tins chopped tomatoes
500 ml tomato juice or pasata
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
120 gm dried apricots cut in half
60 gm dates cut in half
60 gm sultanas or raisins
100 gm flaked Almonds
1 pinch saffron stamens
500 ml lamb stock
3 tbsp clear honey
1/2 cup parsley chopped

Instructions

Heat the oil in the inner pot over a medium heat.
Add the onions and fry until soft
Add the coriander, parsley, cayenne pepper, black pepper, paprika, ground ginger, turmeric and cinnamon. Stir for a couple of minutes.
Add the lamb and mix with the spices and onions.
Add the tins of tomatoes, tomato juice or pasata to the meat and cook until it starts to bubble a bit.
Add the garlic, fruit and rest of the ingredients.
Bring to the boil while stirring. Once boiling turn down to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes with the lid on.
Turn off the heat and place the inner pot into the vacuum-insulated outer Thermal Container.
Shut the lid and leave to thermally cook without power for a minimum of 3 hours
cooking couscous in the top pot if you have one.
Add couscous and water according to the packet.
Open the vacuum-insulated Thermal Container and remove the lid from the inner container. Place the the top pot into the inner pot.
Leave to thermal cook without power for the same length of time as the tagine.

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Blaukraut – Braised Red Cabbage

The red cabbage (purple-leaved varieties of Brassica oleracea Capitata Group) is a kind of cabbage, also known as purple cabbage, red kraut, or blue kraut after preparation. Its leaves are coloured dark red/purple. However on cooking, red cabbage will normally turn blue but by adding vinegar or acidic fruit to the pot will help it stay red.

Blaukraut - Braised Red Cabbage

In Germany braised red cabbage or as they call it Blaukraut is a very popular dish. This dish of slow cooked red cabbage with apples is the perfect side dish for your turkey or goose. Although you can buy it ready made it is so simple to make in your thermal cooker so why not give it a try.

Course

Side Dish, Vegetarian

Cuisine

German

Servings

Ingredients

1 kg red cabbage thinly sliced
450 g cooking apples peeled, cored and chopped small
450 g onions chopped small
1 clove garlic chopped very small
¼ whole nutmeg freshly grated
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
3 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp wine vinegar
15 g butter
salt and freshly milled black pepper

Course

Side Dish, Vegetarian

Cuisine

German

Servings

Ingredients

1 kg red cabbage thinly sliced
450 g cooking apples peeled, cored and chopped small
450 g onions chopped small
1 clove garlic chopped very small
¼ whole nutmeg freshly grated
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
3 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp wine vinegar
15 g butter
salt and freshly milled black pepper

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in the inner pot
Bring to the boil stirring frequently
Turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes still stirring frequently
Turn off the heat and place the inner pot into the vacuum-insulated outer Thermal Container.
Shut the lid and leave to thermally cook without power for a minimum of 6 hours

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