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They’re tasty, tender, comforting, and anything but ordinary. The hearty stews our grandmothers used to make were simple, required little time, and were often inexpensive. Whether you make them in a slow cooker or on the stovetop, these dishes seem to cook themselves, so you can just sit back and relax!
Stew
Stew is like a big, comforting, meal-sized soup. Surprise! It’s even better the next day! Try it with mustard for an unexpected kick.
Cassoulet
Reinvent the classic cassoulet with duck. If you don’t have duck on hand, you can, of course, combine chicken legs with your bacon and pork sausages. This is another recipe that’s even better the next day.
Chicken tagine with olives and citron confit
Lemon always goes great with chicken and olives—and this recipe puts it in the spotlight. Just remember to rinse your preserved lemons well before using, otherwise your dish may be too salty.
Ratatouille
Ratatouille is the epitome of comfort. While many people may make it in a frying pan or even on a sheet pan, we suggest you try a slow cooker. After a bit of easy preparation, your meal will cook itself. Enjoy ratatouille with rice, over pasta, or as a side to a nice cut of meat.
Roast pork with mustard
Everyone remembers grandma’s good-old pork roast with mustard. Try it in the slow cooker, and let us know how it turns out. Serve with apples, or perhaps alongside your ratatouille from the previous slide!
Paupiettes de boeuf
How do fork-tender paupiettes sound? That’s what you get when you cook them in a slow cooker. Or be bold and use beef flank steak instead! It costs a little more, but the result will be well worth the investment.
Mashed potatoes
Slow-cooker mashed potatoes make a great side for nearly all the recipes on this list. Replace some of the milk with cream, put all your ingredients in the slow cooker, and wait a few hours.
Lamb shanks
These beautiful cuts of meat are simmered in vegetables, chicken stock, and red wine. We suggest serving them with seasonal vegetables and mashed potatoes.
Asian braised slow cooked short ribs
Enjoy beloved short ribs with a twist. All you have to add to this stand-alone recipe is a delicious sauce made with the cooking juices
Fruit cake
Yep, you can also make desserts in a slow cooker! This is a holiday classic, but there’s no reason you can’t enjoy it year-round. You’ll need several kinds of fruit, a few spices, and a cake tin that you can place directly in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Poor man’s pudding
Cream, butter, and maple syrup—what more could you ask for? This dessert is simply decadent. Make it in the slow cooker for a pleasant surprise!
Carrot cake
The advantage of making cakes in a slow cooker is the moist environment in which they bake. You won’t be disappointed by this flavourful recipe. Don’t forget the cream-cheese icing!
Pecan pie
A slow-cooker pie? Absolutely! Simply place a sheet of parchment paper in the bottom followed by your rolled-out pie crust. Then add the filling and pecans. Now comes the hard part—waiting three hours for this pie to be ready.