The Summer Slow Cooked Challenge Round Up is rather short, and exclusively features my friend and Linky co-host, Lucy from Baking Queen 74 who has cooked up three beautiful Summer recipes in her Slow Cooker. Thank you Lucy for sticking with slow cooking over the summer and for linking up.
No entries from Farmersgirl Kitchen, go to the bottom of the class. I’ve no idea what happened to summer, it seems to have whizzed by in a flash.
I did cook a lovely piece of gammon in my slow cooker but somehow never got round to blogging it. Ham tends to fall apart after being cooked in the slow cooker, so I used a trick I learned at a cookery demonstration, as you lift the warm ham from the slow cooker you lay it onto a double layer of cling film, then wrap it really tightly. Add more cling film until it is compact and sealed. Leave to cool in the fridge, the ham will cut into perfect slices once cold.
- Ham or gammon joint (2.5 kilos)
- 500 ml craft cider
- Place the ham into the slow cooker
- Pour the cider into the slow cooker
- Cook for 4-5 hours
- When cooked lift out carefully with large forks or spoons and dry off on kitchen paper.
- Lay out a double layer of cling film (saran wrap) long enough to wrap twice around the ham, place the ham on the cling film and wrap tightly in the film.
- Cover with another layer of cling film if needed.
- Allow to cool in the fridge until completely cold (overnight).
- Unwrap and slice as required.
- The slices can be eaten cold or reheated and served with chutney, mustard or gravy.
Slow Cooker Victoria Sponge was the first entry from Baking Queen 74. Summer Slow Cooker Recipes don’t come much more summery than this strawberry topped sponge cake. I’ve tried to make cake in my slow cooker but have never managed to make a cake as good as those that Lucy seems to turn out with ease.
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Beef looks quite superb, Lucy says the smell wafted through the house all afternoon and I can quite imagine how tempting that would be.
Slow Cooker Coconut Fish Curry fish is not something you often see cooked in a slow cooker. However, this recipe is only cooked for 2-3 hours, making it possible to prepare this when you get home from work. The lightness of this dish makes it ideal for Summer Slow Cooker Recipes.
The Slow Cooked Challenge will be back at the start of September, so dust off your Slow Cooker or Crockpot, your Dutch Oven, casserole dishes and roasting tins and get ready to enjoy our challenges. For more details visit the Slow Cooked Challenge page.
I am glad to have been of slow cooked challenge assistance over the summer! 🙂 Even a devotee like me though hasn’t used it for the past month, till this weekend. Your tip about ham is brilliant, I have never managed to get good slices so I will be trying that out very soon (possibly tomorrow!)
Aw thanks Lucy, the ham trick really works. I’ve done it with beef and lamb from the slow cooker too.
What a great idea – thanks Janice. I must admit that I love the ham shredded but I tend to at way more of it in a sandwich or salad than if it were sliced.
Janie x
It is lovely shredded bit I do like a traditional slice too.
The ham looks so succulent! I never actually made it, but I’m planning to do it later this year, so saving this recipe straight away and will let you know how it turns out!
It’s so simple Andrea, let me know how you get on.
My slow cooker goes away for the Summer, I really need to learn how to make use of it – some great ideas from Lucy here!
I don’t use mine as much in the summer, Ceri. But it’s really good for feeding a crowd and especially if it’s too warm to put on the oven.
This is the BEST ham tip – who would have thought!?
Thanks Emma, it is a great top and really works!
Baking a cake in my slow cooker has been on my list of things to do for several years – oh dear. I feel I may be behind you at the back of the class. Lucy’s cake looks perfect.
In the corner with the dunces hat, Choclette – ha ha!
I never knew you could make cake in a slow cooker. Very interesting.
Lucy at Baking Queen 74 has loads of Slow Cooker cake and scone recipes on her blog.
I must dust off my slow cooker soon. Love the cling film tip, will have to use that:-)
It works so well, don’t know why I haven’t tried it with ham before