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I’ve still to find that 13lb scottish chicken, Nicola!
My slow cookers are 3.0 litre oval which takes a family size three pound chicken.
The other is round 2.5 litre which is too small for the chick but takes pork or beef for the family, or soups or chutney etc. But not all at once. Honest.
I was beginning to get worried about ickle wanting to use her slow cooker to stop the calories piling on. I think we might just be encouraging each other here. But hopefully with healthy and not the crisps and nibbles. My weaknesses are cheese like GH and chocolate at the checkout - arghhhh!

OK - Mulled cranberry and red wine - 3.5 litre Slow cooker.

75cl bottle of inexpensive red wine
600ml / 1 pint cranberry juice
100ml (3 and a half fl oz) brandy, rum, vodka or orange liqueur
100g (3 and a half fl oz) caster sugar
1 orange
8 cloves
1-2 cinnamon sticks depending on size.

To serve:
8-10 long rosemary sprigs
1 orange
1 lime
2-3 bay leaves
few fresh cranberries

1. Preheat cooker if necessary see manufacturers instrustions. Pour the red wine, cranberry juice and brandy or other alcohol into the slow cooker then stir in the sugar.

2. Cut the orange into 8 segments and stud each piece with a clove. Break the cinnamon sticks into large pieces and add to the pot with the orange pieces. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 1 hour.Reduce the temperature and cook onlow for 3 - 4 hours.

3. To serve, replace the orange with new pieces and add the bay leaves and the cranberries. Ladle into heat proof glasses, keeping back the herbs and spices if liked.

Option to replace the cranberry juice with 300ml (half pint) orange juice and same of water if preferred.

Ickle,
You wanted rice pudding so here goes. This one for 4 peeps

1tsp butter (to grease pot).
50g/2oz pudding rice
2tbsp caster sugar.
150ml / quarter pint evaporated milk
900ml /1 ‘n a half pints semi skimmed milk
2tsp grated orange rind
a little grated nutmeg
jam or marmalade sauce to serve.

Preheat the slow cooker on high, Grease the pot with the butter. Rinse the rice and place in the coking pot. Add all the remaining ingredients (except the accompaniments) and stir well.
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours. Stir then serve with either marmalade or jam sauce. Can also be cooked on low setting for 4-6 hours.

Ha ha! I was thinking the same thing,to many nice things to make in them, atleast what I make the family i wont eat as has meat in it lol! I do love rice pudding, havent made it in ages, coz I love using evaporated milk in it and it goes toffee colour mmmmmm!!
Of to Argos tomorrow,was thinking about a 6.5 one for 4 of them and a 3.5 one for my stuff,but will only get one, as the cheaper on doesnt have a removeable crock, 19.99 is for 3.5 with a microwaveable crock pot.xx

Well...IO do not have a specific receipe as I just chuck ingredients in. I followed part of one of Delia Smiths recipes for slow cooking meat.

I basically throw into my Oval slow cooker my chosen meat with water, cook until brown, add some onions, peppers, mushrooms (any veg. really) and add a goo amount of apple juice to really achieve a lovely apple juice to your meat. I then cook some potatoes and mash it all up and it goes really well with the meat!

Natalie x

Thanks for the mulled wine recipe - I might try that for this years bonfire night.  I just put it by the door and everyone can help themselves, keeps it at the perfect temp when on low

Never thought of dooing rice pud in there - I do try and do the pud when Ihave something else cooking but never manage it.  I do like it thick and creamy but do also do it just with semi skimmed and it is still nice and is low fat too.  Sometimes add a banana in

Mulled wine on bonfire night sounds brilliant, Carolyn.
Can I come and join you?

...yep no problem!  Bring your slow cooker with some homemade soup in it.....

oooooooh oooooooh Paperkate can I bother you for the recipe for the chilled tomato and garlic pickle pretty please I take it it is done in a slo cooker which I am looking for recipes for using and pickling in.

okay off to fill in some cracks as we are decorating and if enough polyfilla left will use it on the face ! 

Ann x

Thanks Laverne I got it this morning, perfect as it’s the same make as mine

Thanks Kate I’ll have to make a slimline version as I am being good today, well apart from the Cadbury cranberry and granola bar I ate and a few Aero mint bubbles I pinched off Pickles

How wierd that you just posted a mulled wine recipe I am just about to go and collect a Christmas tree (don’t ask LOL) I’ll def be making that. We usually get tipsy on that whilst having one of my mad family bonding Christmas crafts weekends I have leading up to Christmas.

Ann alias Ayrbrain,
Haven’t forgotten you, just been a bit busy!
Here is the chillied tomato and garlic chutney you asked for.
It sounds scrummy must try this one myself too.

1kg (2lb) tomatoes roughly chopped
1 large onion chopped
2 cooking apples (about 500g (1lb), peeled cored and chopped
2 red peppers, halved cored and diced
75g (3oz) sultanas
100ml (3 n a half fl oz)distilled malt vinegar
250g (8oz) granulated sugar
2-3 large mild red chillies halved, deseeded and finely chopped
6-8 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cinnamon stick (halved)
half tsp ground allspice
1 tsp salt
pepper

1. Preheat the slow cooker if necessry - see manufacturer’s instructions. Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker pot, mix together then cover with lid and cook on high for 6-8 hours until thick and pulpy.

2. Warm 5 clean jars in the bottom of a low oven. Spoon in the chutney, place a waxed disc on top and leave to cool. Seal each jar with a screw top lid then label. Store in a cool place for up to 2 months. Once opened store in the refrigerator.

The idea of using the slow cooker hadn’t occured to me, but it uses much less vinegar and maybe all that standing over the hob will be reduced too!

So sorry Shelley. I am chasing my tail lately with my OH working away and being stuck in the house since the crash. I did get your PM I have posted piccies of my spicy Carrot, parsnip and corrinader thick soup on my confessions of a slimming world dieter blog. I’ll be posting the recipe on there later Some of the piccies below

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

I’ve also posted my low fat, low calorie (but doesn’t taste like it) and syn free if you are on SW homemade thick broccoli soup,herby wedges and first attempt with Quorn sausages.

Spicy carrot, parsnip and corriander soup, broccoli soup and herby wedges suitable for vegans.

Spicy carrot, parsnip and corriander soup, broccoli soup, herby wedges and Quorn sausages suitable for vegetarians and syn free on SW. Except the Spicy carrott, parsnip and corriander soup which is synned on a red day because of the parsnip.

Oh I’ve missed this forum SOOO much - how on earth did you know that I’ve just bought a slow cooker and was looking for hints and tips on how to use it?!

Thanks ladies!!