Remove the lamb from the slow cooker and use forks to shred the meat slightly. Spoon the lamb and the contents of the slow cooker into a large ovenproof baking dish, then follow steps 6-7 above. Slow cookers are often confined to heavy winter recipes made with stodgy ingredients and with poor nutritional content. Cook Slow: Light and Healthyshows you just how versatile your slow cooker can be with effortless, nourishing recipes inspired by dishes from around the world. Avoid boring ‘diet food’ and cook slow to create healthy, wholesome food for balanced eating. I love that my slow cooker will now be used all year round rather than confined to the colder months.

I’ve taken this comfort food classic to another level with the addition of the slow-cooked chilli beef, using ox cheek. It’s so underused but the flavour is incredible. Timings Place the tomato halves in a bowl along with the garlic, thyme and oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. I'm working my way through the book now and my non cooking husband even managed to do the Beef Ragu by himself. He was so proud of himself as it was utterly delicious. One of the nicest things I found is I would have been able to make the 1st meal from the book the day after the book arrived as there was a few recipes that I had all the ingredients in the cupboard/fridge already, so no need to go shopping immediately for fancy ingredients.

Crispy Fried Caprese Gnocchi (serves 4)

I’ve used lamb breast instead of mince here, as it is an inexpensive cut of meat that’s perfect for slow cooking. Timings In a large, shallow dish, whisk the eggs with the cream. Add the vanilla, remaining orange zest and sugar and whisk. Melt a knob of butter in a pan over a medium heat. Dip each slice of brioche into the egg mixture a few seconds on each side. Add the honey to the tagine to taste. Serve with herby couscous and a dollop of natural yogurt that has been spiked with harissa. Don’t own a slow cooker? Don’t panic! The recipes in this book can be cooked either conventionally in the oven or in your slow cooker. Tom Kerridge’s blueberry, lemon and thyme pancakes Lemon blueberry pancakes recipe from Tom Kerridge’s Lose Weight For Good

Meanwhile, make the caramel by adding the sugar in an even layer into the base of a pan, on a medium to low heat, and watch as it turns to caramel, stirring occasionally. As soon as the sugar melts, add the butter. As soon as the butter has melted, add the cream and salt. Cook on a low heat for two minutes until you have a smooth caramel. Take off the heat. Methods are given for both slow cooker and conventional ovens so even if you've not invested in a slow cooker, you can still enjoy this marvellous book.But slow cooking is by no means confined to meat; vegetables benefit from the process too. Onions melt away, root vegetables become tender and sweet – the possibilities are endless.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. In a bowl, whisk the mascarpone and half the orange zest and juice. Add a splash of the cream if it needs loosening a little. Cover and chill.

Jerked Hot Wings

Ainsley Harriott’s brioche French toast with figs, hazelnuts & mascarpone Wake up to Ainsley Harriott’s decadent French toast (Ainsley Harriott’s Good Mood Food) If time allows, roast the squash first. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Place the squash in a bowl, drizzle with some oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter onto a baking tray and roast in the oven for 30 minutes. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based casserole over a medium to high heat. Dust the meat with the flour, then add to the casserole in batches and seal for 5-6 minutes, until golden. Remove from the casserole and set aside. Spoon three dollops of batter into the pan to form three pancakes. Cook for three minutes on each side, then remove from the pan. Keep warm, wrapped in foil, while you cook the remaining pancakes.

Add the onion and garlic to the same pan and fry for three to four minutes. Add the smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, oregano and chilli powder and cook for another minute. Don't own a slow cooker? Don't panic! The recipes in this book can be cooked either conventionally in the oven or in your slow cooker. Remove the lamb from the casserole and use forks to shred the meat slightly, then return it to the casserole.

Cheesy Shepherd's Pie

When it comes to his preferred style of cooking, Dean says he really likes home cooking and simple family meals.