This recipe is good for couples or a single person so that you can have at least 2 meals from it, one to eat and one to freeze.  I like vegetarian meals and I love curry so this combines the two.  Cooking it all in the crock pot slow cooker while I am working or doing other things is a lifesaver on busy days.

I have shared this recipe with my girlfriends over the years as I have found women especially love this recipe and it is one anyone, even a novice cook, can make.

Paulineh's Vegetarian Curry

2 onions, chopped roughly

2 tabs oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 tabs cornflour

2 - 3 tabs curry paste

2.5 cups vegetable stock

cubes or small chunks of your favorite vegetables*

Heat the oil and add the onion, cook until soft then add the flour and then the curry paste.  Cook for a further minute, stirring all the time, then add most of the stock.  Continue to stir until sauce thickens.  If too thick use the rest of the stock. Add the vegetables and stir through, then add it all to the crock pot slow cooker.

Cook for 6 hours on low (check to see vegetables are cooked but are not falling apart).  Serve with rice or poppadoms.  Serves 4.

Notes: * I haven't specified how much vegetables you should use as this will vary with what the vegetables are and what size you cut them into .  As a guide I used about 5 cups.

Variations: You can add a small can tomatoes, chick peas or some frozen peas in the last 15 minutes before serving.  You can also add about 1/2 cup coconut milk for a different taste and add this just before serving.

Tags: Crock pot slow cooker, Slow cooker, vegetarian curry

This Beef and Red Wine Stew recipe is fairly easy to make and if you like big serves then it will feed 2 people.  It's not as easy finding recipes for two for the slow cooker so finding this one was like gold. You can vary it by adding mushrooms or bell peppers.  You can also swap the onions with leeks for a slightly different texture and taste.

Crock Pot Slow Cooker Beef with Red Wine Stew

1 lb (1/2 kg) steak cut into bite size pieces

flour to coat steak

2 tabs olive oil

1/2 cup chopped carrots

1 medium onion chopped

1 large clove garlic crushed

1 tab each chopped chives and parsley

1 small bay leaf

1 cup red wine of your choice

1 cup beef stock cube

1 tab instant gravy mix to thicken if required but recommended

Coat meat in flour and brown meat in oil.  Remove and put aside.  Add to the pan the onions, carrots and herbs and toss until softened a little.  Remove the vegetables and put into the base of the slow cooker. Place the meat on top of the vegetables.

Add the wine and stock to the pan and mix well together as this then combines the juices from the pan as well.  Pour into the crock pot slow cooker over the meat and vegetables. Put the lid on and cook on low for 6 hours.  Thicken with the instant gravy mix combined with a little water if you think the stew is too thin.

Serves 2 large servings or 3 medium ones.  I serve it with sweet potato mash but you can serve with rice or just some of your favorite crusty bread.  Get out your crock pot slow cooker and start cooking.

Tags: beef and red wine stew, crock pot recipe, Crock pot slow cooker, Slow cooker

This apple and lemon sponge dessert recipe is perfect for pot luck parties and entertaining at home.  It is also an easy crock pot recipe even for the beginner cook so if you are looking for an easy dessert this is it.  You can cook and serve this dessert straight from your crock pot slow cooker or you can insert another dish into the pot and remove when cooked.  I cheat a little by using a cake mix for the sponge but if you prefer you can make your own.

Easy Crock Pot Apple and Lemon Sponge Dessert

1 packet butter cake mix

15 oz (440g) canned apple slices

3 tabs sultanas

1 tab grated lemon rind

2 tabs honey warmed

1 tab lemon juice

icing sugar (optional)

You need to make up the cake mix as per the directions on the packet.  They are all different so please follow this step correctly.  Place all the rest of the ingredients except the icing sugar into a large jug or bowl and mix together and combine well.  Spread the mixture over the greased base of the crock bot bowl or you can use Slow Cooker Liners for no mess afterward.

Spoon over the cake mixture and place several sheets of paper towel over the top, making sure that the towel doesn't touch the mixture.  Place the lid on the crock pot and turn to high and cook for 3 hours approximately.  Check to see if cooked as sponge will spring back at a touch.   Serve with a dusting of icing sugar and a dab of cream or ice cream.

Try this easy crock pot recipe and let me know what you think about the taste as I'm sure you will agree its pleasantly different, a bit of a twist on the standard apple sponge.  This is my favorite dessert recipe at the moment for the family or when I'm entertaining.

Tags: crock pot recipe, Crock pot slow cooker, easy crock pot