A slow cooker can be invaluable.  It can have a delicious hot meal ready to eat at whatever time you return from your day’s walk.  All you have to do is load it with ingredients and switch it on before setting off for the day.

Obviously it needs electricity and a stable, level, heatproof surface, so it depends on where you are based as to whether a slow cooker is a practical option (which it most probably would not be if you are camping).

They come in different sizes, so select one (or more) to suit your needs, (for example taking in to account the number of people you are cooking for, or size of joint of meat etc).

The general rule of thumb is to fill it no more than two thirds full.  Also, it does not need as much liquid in it as a saucepan (because there is little evaporation).

An example of a simple, basic meal:

Chop onion and green peppers.  Put them in to the slow cooker.

Add stewing beef.

Open a tin of tomatoes and pour over the top.

Sit small potatoes (whole) on top.

Put on the lid.  Switch to “Low”.

Go out walking for the whole day, return tea time/early evening/late evening and dish out.

We are going to put on different ideas for ingredient combinations that we hope you will find tasty.  We would be pleased to hear from you if you have any favourites of your own that you would like to share.

Ingredient Combinations

Chicken, slices of lemon, peas, sweet potato, small amount of water (1 December 2013)

Chick peas, potato, leeks, curry powder, water to dissolve curry paste (23 November 2013)