2 Healthy slow cooker recipes to try
2nd Mar 2023 Recipes
From garlic mac and cheese to honey chilli beef noodles, Nathan Anthony’s debut cookbook is filled with healthy and easy recipes you can try with your slow cooker
In recent years, people are turning to slow cookers and air fryers as a cheaper alternative to oven cooking. Cue Nathan Anthony, a 31-year-old Belfast-based home cook who has garnered popularity with his healthy and easy recipes.
Nathan began sharing his creations on social media during lockdown and has since then published his first cookbook titled Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Slow Cooker Book. Not only did the cookbook sell nearly 200,000 copies in its first six weeks, but it also knocked Prince Harry’s Spare off the top spot, and it’s easy to see why.
"Nathan is committed to helping his followers save time, energy and money with his quick, healthy, delicious recipes"
Nathan is committed to helping his followers save time, energy and money with his quick, healthy, delicious recipes that can be made simply from supermarket ingredients. The sentiment is greatly received by his online followers, who have enabled him to publish his next book, Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Air Fryer Book, set to hit the shelves on 16th March.
To give you a taste of what you can expect from Nathan, here are two slow cooker recipes of his that hit home with his followers.
1. Garlic mac & cheese
Credit: Clare Wilkinson
When I think of mac & cheese, it reminds me of being in New York. This is a simple, fuss-free way to make it at home in one pot, saving time but never compromising on flavour.
"This is a simple, fuss-free way to mac & cheese at home in one pot"
This is proper comfort food to fill you up on a cold winter night. I use low-fat butter, as you might as well save on calories where you can! Mac & cheese puts a smile on everyone’s face.
Ingredients
Serves 4
788 calories per serving
Method
- Place all the ingredients, except the Parmesan and breadcrumbs, in the slow cooker, stir and season to taste. Cook on low for one hour 20 minutes. Stir well, add the Parmesan and a little extra milk if it needs loosening up, then cook for another 20–25 minutes.
- If you like a crispy topping and you have an ovenproof slow cooker pot, sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top of the pasta and cook under a preheated grill until golden. Garnish with chopped chives.
2. Honey chilli beef noodles
Credit: Clare Wilkinson
This is a quick and lean version of one of my favourite local Chinese takeaway dishes, and one of the most popular recipes I have ever shared with my online followers.
"This is one of the most popular recipes I have ever shared with my online followers"
Ingredients
Serves 3
590 calories per serving
- 400g beef steaks, thinly sliced
- 4 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 5 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 5 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 3 tbsp orange juice
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp cornflour, mixed to a paste with 1 tbsp water
- 1 red pepper, sliced
- 200g dried egg noodles
- 350ml hot chicken stock
- chopped spring onions and sesame seeds, to garnish
Method
Place all the ingredients, except the red pepper, noodles and stock, in the slow cooker and stir. Cook on high for two hours. Add the red pepper, noodles and stock, stir and cook for another 15–20 minutes, stirring after ten minutes. Garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds.
Extracted from Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Slow Cooker Book by Nathan Anthony (Ebury Press, £18.99)
Banner credit: Clare Wilkinson
Read more: 10 Comforting slow cooker dishes
Read more: 3 Simple recipes for under £5
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