Let me take you back to the beginning. Picture this: it’s lockdown, we’re all stuck at home, and I found myself feeling a bit bored. I’ve always loved to cook and enjoyed using tools like the air fryer and slow cooker, but I hadn’t seen many people fully utilise their potential. That’s when I decided to experiment with my slow cooker and air fryer, sharing my recipes online. Little did I know that my simple recipes would resonate with so many of you.

From a few thousand followers to over 5 million across different platforms, the journey has been nothing short of incredible. It just goes to show that we’re all looking for ways to make our lives a bit easier and our meals a lot tastier. 

Now, let’s talk about some of the recipes that really got people talking (and cooking!). These dishes aren’t just delicious; they’re proper game-changers when it comes to easy, fuss-free cooking.

Now, I’ve got to pinch myself sometimes when I think about how this all started in my kitchen and now I’m cooking on the telly! It’s been an absolute blast sharing my recipes with even more people through shows like This Morning on ITV. 

I’ve had so much fun showing off recipes like my Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne Macaroni Melt and Sweet and Spicy Chicken. These are the kind of dishes that make people realise just how versatile a slow cooker can be.

The Chilli Con Carne Macaroni Melt is a proper comfort food mash-up. It’s like your favourite chilli had a baby with mac and cheese, and let me tell you, it’s a beautiful thing. 

@boredoflunch

Slowcooker Chilli Beef Macaroni & Cheese Melt 🌶️ 🧀 497 cals If a Chilli Con Carne, Macaroni & Cheese had a baby this is what it would be, it’s a real favourite of mine. For a full book of macro counted slowcooker recipes, Six Ingredient Slowcooker is £10 and OUT NOW 📕 Serves: 5 Ingredients – 400g lean beef mince – 700g passata – 1 tbsp tomato purée – 3 garlic cloves, grated or chopped – Handful of fresh coriander, chopped, plus extra to garnish – 1 red chilli, sliced – 1 onion, chopped – 1 packet of chilli con carne spice mix (or you can make your own) – 700ml chicken stock – 400g tin of kidney beans, drained and rinsed – 1 red pepper, chopped – 250g dried macaroni  – 120g Cheddar cheese (reduced fat if you can), grated Salt and pepper, to taste Method 1. Ideally brown the mince but if not, Add the beef mince, passata, tomato purée, garlic, half the coriander, the chilli, onion, chilli con carne spice mix and salt and pepper to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours.  2. Add the stock, kidney beans, red pepper and macaroni and cook on high for a further 45 minutes. If cooking on low, you’ll need to leave it for closer to 1 hour to cook the pasta.  3. Stir through half the Cheddar into the dish, top with the remainder, then garnish with the remaining coriander. #easymeals #easyrecipes #lowincalories #low #slowcooker #slowcookerrecipes #crockpotrecipes #crockpot #onepanwonders #onepan #onepot #mfp #lowcalorie #lowcal #ww #healthy #food #recipe #healthyfood #healthyeating #macandcheese #pasta #share #like #viral #fy

♬ 80s summertime sadness – barretoedits 📼

I’ve also shared some slightly posher dishes, like my Slow Cooker Tartiflette. It’s a French classic that’s usually a bit faffy to make, but pop it in the slow cooker, and it’s so easy to make.

It’s not just been about the telly appearances, though. I’ve also been able to write FIVE cookbooks including my latest book Six Ingredient Slow Cooker which has been a dream come true.

These books are all about making healthy, delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Because let’s face it, we’re all busy, aren’t we? But that doesn’t mean we can’t eat well. Whether you’re after a quick family dinner or something a bit special for the weekend, there’s a slow cooker recipe for every occasion.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “Nathan, why should I bother with a slow cooker?” Well, let me tell you, it’s not just about convenience. Slow cooking can actually enhance the taste of your food. 

When you use a slow cooker, all those lovely flavours have time to develop. Plus, tough cuts of meat become melt-in-your-mouth tender when they’re slow-cooked. There’s also the ease of coming home to a house that smells amazing and dinner that’s ready to go; it’s like having your own personal chef (sort of!!)

Economically speaking, slow cookers use less energy than your oven and are excellent for transforming cheaper cuts of meat into something special. And finally, because you’re not using loads of oil, slow cooking can be a healthier way to prepare your meals.

Before I leave you to raid your kitchen and dust off that slow cooker, here are a few tips to help you get started. First, resist the urge to peek; I know it’s tempting, but every time you lift that lid, you let heat escape, which adds to the cooking time. Next, layer wisely by placing harder vegetables at the bottom, as they take longer to cook. It’s also important not to overfill your slow cooker; aim for it to be about half to two-thirds full for the best results. Additionally, consider browning your meat before slow cooking – this extra step adds a ton of flavour. Finally, remember to add dairy at the end of the cooking process; ingredients like milk, cream, and cheese can curdle if cooked for too long, so add them in the last 30 minutes or so. 

So there you have it. From viral social media sensations to TV favourites, I hope this has inspired you to give slow cooking a go, or if you’re already a fan, to try out some new recipes.

Remember, cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to be delicious. With a slow cooker, a bit of prep, and some simple ingredients, you can create meals that’ll have everyone thinking you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen all day. And don’t forget to share your creations with me on social media – I love seeing what you all come up with.

Until next time, happy slow cooking!

Cheers,

Nathan