8 bruschetta slices or slices of ciabatta
Place the mushrooms in the slow cooker dish (you need to have enough to cover the base of the dish thickly). Add the butter, olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, lemon zest and juice.
Cut the garlic clove in half lengthways and finely chop one of the pieces. Add this to the mushrooms and mix everything together well. Cover with the lid and cook on low for about 4 hours or until the mushrooms are tender and much of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the herbs and cheese, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
About 5–10 minutes before the end of cooking, toast the bread until golden, then rub the cut side of the reserved garlic over the toast. Spoon the hot mushroom mixture over the toast and sprinkle with more herbs to garnish.
I ALSO LIKE...
to toss these creamy mushrooms through hot pasta.
BALSAMIC BEETROOT AND ORANGE SALAD
This classic combination of flavours is always a winner in our house.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 4–5 hours
Serves 4
Vegetarian
4 raw beetroots, scrubbed
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
3 oranges
50ml (1¾fl oz) balsamic vinegar
50ml (1¾fl oz) extra virgin olive oil
A small handful of fresh mint leaves
1 tbsp finely diced shallot
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
150g (5oz) mixed salad leaves, such as lamb’s lettuce or baby leaves
200g (7oz) soft goat’s cheese, crumbled
50g (2oz) walnut pieces
Trim the roots and green leafy tops from the beetroot, cut them into chunky wedges and place into the slow cooker dish together with the garlic, finely grated zest and juice from one of the oranges, the vinegar and half the olive oil. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4–5 hours or until tender. Leave to cool completely in the slow cooker.
Using a serrated knife, cut the top and bottom from the remaining oranges. Place them on a board and slice off the peel in downward strips, being careful to remove the pith as well. Then hold one orange in your hand over a small bowl and cut each segment of orange away by cutting between the membranes. Allow the segments and any juice to collect in the bowl.
Finely shred half of the mint leaves. Add the remaining olive oil, chopped mint, shallot and salt and pepper to the orange segments and set aside.
Place the salad leaves on a large platter. Using a slotted spoon, remove the beetroot from its cooking liquid and scatter over the salad. Drizzle over the orange segments and dressing, then scatter with the remaining mint, the goat’s cheese and walnuts to serve.
COOKING CONVENTIONALLY?
Wrap the prepared beetroot in foil and cook in an oven preheated to 180°C (350°F), Gas mark 4, for 2–3 hours or until tender.
SKATE WINGS WITH WARM CITRUS AND TOMATO SALAD
This is a fantastically flavoursome dish. It works really well with other white fish too like plaice, John Dory, cod or haddock.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Serves 2
6 mixed tomatoes (use different colours, sizes and shapes), thickly sliced
1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
½ red onion, peeled and very finely sliced
1 tsp red wine vinegar
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon (preferably unwaxed)
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 orange
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp cold water
2 skate wings, about 400g (14oz) each
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Place the tomatoes in the slow cooker dish, then sprinkle with the chilli, onion, vinegar, lemon and orange zests. Season with salt and pepper, add the cold water and mix well.
Arrange the fish on top of the tomatoes in a single layer if possible, but don’t worry if not. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 2 hours or until the fish is tender when tested with the tip of a knife.
Drizzle the lemon and orange juice over the fish and carefully place onto warm serving plates. Sprinkle the herbs over the tomatoes and then spoon onto the plates with the fish. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve with new potatoes and watercress.
PEPPERED MACKEREL, NEW POTATO AND CAPER SALAD WITH LEMON DRESSING
Slow cooking these ingredients together ensures that their flavours intensify and marry in the most wonderful way.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1½ hours
Serves 2
225g (8oz) baby new potatoes, cut in half lengthways
1 tbsp capers in brine, drained (or use salted capers but rinse and drain very well before use)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
200g (7oz) smoked peppered mackerel fillets, skin removed
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper (optional)
100g (3½oz) mixed salad leaves
Cook the potatoes a saucepan of boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain thoroughly and tip into the slow cooker dish.
Add the capers, olive oil and 2 teaspoons of the lemon juice and mix everything together.
Break the mackerel into large pieces and place on top of the potatoes. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 1½ hours or until the potatoes are tender. Remove the lid and add the remaining lemon juice. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper, if necessary.
Place the salad leaves on two serving plates and spoon the mackerel and potatoes over the top, drizzle the warm juices over to make a dressing and eat straight away.
COOKING CONVENTIONALLY?
Place in a baking dish, cover with foil and cook in an oven preheated to 160°C (325°F), Gas mark 3 for 1½ hours or until the potatoes are tender.
BRAISED CHICORY WITH PARMESAN
Slow cooking chicory makes it really soft. Here, it is topped with Parmesan and cooked until the cheese forms a lovely golden crust.
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking