Yep, leaves are turning brown and it's getting colder - Autumn and Winter are officially well and truly on their way.
Instead of mourning the loss of Summer, embrace seasonal ingredients. Colder weather means comfort food which is warm, satisfying and full of flavour. After all who doesn't love a risotto or rich butternut squash soup with swirls of creme fraiche?
One way to celebrate the food the season has to offer (and the shorter days it comes with) is with slow-cooked recipes.
Having a warm, slow-cooked dinner waiting for us when we walk in the door, or a recipe you can chuck all the ingredients in and let the magic happen all by itself, is a much-needed comfort and means we have more time for the important things. Like cuddling up on the sofa, or pouring yourself a glass of rosé.
It's the secret to moist, meltingly tender meat and beautifully rich flavours - here's our pick of the very best slow-cooked recipes. Minimal effort but delicious results.
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1
Slow Roast Lamb Shoulder With Kisir
Melt in the mouth and falling off the bone, this slow roasted lamb shoulder is tender and complimented perfectly with the tomatoey and nutty goodness of the chickpea, lemon and mint sauce and the side of kisir made with bulgur and cauliflower. Seriously yum.
Try the recipe for this slow roasted lamb shoulder
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2
Slow-Baked Stuffed Aubergines
This delicious vegetarian roast works well as the centre of attention but also makes a great side dish. Don’t be alarmed by the quantity of olive oil used in this dish – the aubergines need it and the results are delicious. Serve with a big salad of dressed green leaves and good-quality bread.
Try this slow-baked stuffed aubergines recipe
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3
Slow-Cooked Goose With Apples And Prunes
This slow cooked goose is fantastically soft and juicy. Serve up on Christmas day for a feast that’s guaranteed to wow. The roast bird is succulent from the cider and rich with delicious stuffing, there will be calls for second helpings all round.
Try this slow cooked goose with apples and prunes recipe
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4
Slow Cooked Lamb Breast With Dill And Lemon
Whether you’re preparing for a dinner party or firing up the barbecue, slow cooked lamb is a definite favourite. Cooked gently over time the meat becomes deliciously unctuous and sweet, not to mention tender. This is great served with a creamy potato salad.
Try this slow cooked lamb breast with dill and lemon recipe
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5
Rachel Allen’s Slow-Roast Pork Belly With Rosemary
Pork belly is quite a fatty cut but the slow cooking melts this down and it keeps the meat beautifully moist and tender. You should end up with a crisp and moreish crackling while the meat beneath remains tantalisingly succulent. This is perfect for a Sunday lunch or family roast.
Try Rachel Allen’s pork belly with rosemary recipe
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6
Classic Fish Stew
The classic French fish stew, bouillabaisse, is full of flavour and easier to make than you think. This is perfect for a dinner party and makes a lovely change from meat stews. Packed full of flavour and delicious morsels, this is bound to go down a treat.
Try this classic fish stew recipe
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7
Slow-Cooked Tomato And Basil Soup
There's nothing quite like a creamy soup on a Winter's evening and this classic tomato and basil version doesn't dissapoint. The tomatoes are slow-cooked for extra sweetness and flavour which goes perfectly with the basil and thyme. All you need to worry about is getting a good crusty bread to dunk.
Try the recipe for this slow-cooked tomato and basil soup
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8
Stewed Beef Shank
Warming, rich and beautifully succulent, this tasty stewed beef shank dish is the perfect comfort food on chilly winter nights. Serve with a fluffy pile of mashed potato for a hearty and delicious dinner.
Try this stewed beef shank recipe
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9
Provencal Chicken, Haricot Bean And Shallot Casserole
A casserole is one of the easiest but most rewarding food dishes to cook. Practically chuck in anything that takes your fancy (beans, vegetables, meat) and wait for it to work its magic. The great thing about them is the longer they are cooked for, the better and they can be made in bulk. This recipe sees a French take on the classic and is the perfect combination of salty, earthy and sweet.
Try this provencal chicken casserole recipe
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10
Lorraine Pascale’s Baked Jerk Chicken With Pineapple Salsa, Coconut Rice And Beans
Slow-cooking doesn't have to mean traditional. Cook up a storm with Lorraine Pascale's Caribbean inspired jerk chicken with pineapple salsa and sweet and aromatic coconut rice.
Try Lorraine Pascale's baked jerk chicken recipe
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11
Lamb And Potato Hotpot
This Lancashire classic is hearty and comforting. It’s perfect for a cold winter’s evening and benefits from a lovely slow cook. Crisp potatoes on top yield to meltingly tender lamb underneath – all it needs is a salad of crisp and hot winter leaves to accompany it.
Try this lamb and potato hotpot recipe
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12
Tom Kerridge’s Brined Pork Belly And Puy Lentils With Black Cabbage Salsa
Serve this up for Sunday lunch and all your diners will be happy. The brine in this recipe really helps to enhance the flavour of the pork and create really crisp crackling. The cabbage salsa is a more iron-rich version of a classic Italian salsa verde and it cuts through the richness of the lentils and pork belly beautifully.
Try Tom Kerridge’s brined pork belly and puy lentils with black cabbage salsa recipe
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13
Beef Daube With Mushrooms And Olives
This beef dish is classic comfort food and equally good to eat as leftovers the next day. Serve with plenty of mashed potato. For extra flavour, marinate the beef overnight in the wine with the herbs, berries and orange rind. Just put everything in one bowl, cover and leave in a cool place.
Try this beef daube with mushrooms and olives recipe
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14
Slow-cooked Hunter's Chicken
This delicious chicken casserole makes use of chicken legs rather than breasts, which have more flavour and tend to be more succulent. Serve this up instead of your usual Sunday lunch - there definitely won’t be any complaints.
Try this slow cooked hunter’s chicken recipe
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15
Beetroot Bourguignon
This vegetarian take on the classic beef bourguignon recipe takes the flavours of the rich, wine-oozing hot pot into something suitable for vegetarians. Serve with creamy mashed potato or crusty bread.
Try this beetroot bourguignon recipe
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16
Valentine Warner’s Carne Con Chile
The reverse wording of Valentine Warner’s carne con chilli, or meat with chilli makes it sound more appealingly subtle. The dish itself is rich and deep with flavour and will make your kitchen smell delightful.
Try Valentine Warner’s carne con chile recipe
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17
James Martin’s Beef Bourguignon
This classic beef bourguignon recipe is a stew packed full of hearty flavours and aromas. It will easily become a dinner party staple. Best served with a pile of creamy mashed potato, it’s deliciously warming.
Try James Martin’s beef bourguignon recipe
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18
Duck and Sausage Cassoulet
This is a lighter version of the classic French cassoulet but it is still full of flavour and delicious. Rich duck and sausage are complimented by earthy haricot beans and a wonderfully flavoured juice brings the whole dish together.
Try this duck and sausage cassoulet recipe
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19
Slow-Cooked Winter Beef And Chestnut Casserole
This is the perfect casserole to enjoy during the dark days of winter. The rich, earthy chestnut gives a depth of flavour to the stew and works perfectly with the tender beef.
Try this slow cooked winter beef and chestnut casserole recipe
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20
Rachel Khoo’s Slow Roasted Pork Belly With Sloe Gin Recipe
Rachel Khoo's recipe has taken roasted pork belly to a new level. Cooked in sloe gin and served with caramelised onions and winter berries - drizzle over a lemoney greek yoghurt for a dish that is worth waiting for.
Try Rachel Khoo's slow roasted pork belly with sloe gin