SLOW COOKER WINTER WARMERS LOCALLY SOURCED

Leighton Buzzard Lifestyle

SLOW COOKER WINTER WARMERS LOCALLY SOURCED

Comfort food you can make with ingredients from right here in Leighton Buzzard

January is the season of cosy nights, warm kitchens and comfort food that practically cooks itself. Slow cookers are perfect for stretching your food budget, reducing waste and filling your home with the smell of something wonderful bubbling away all day.

Even better? Many of the ingredients for these hearty winter warmers can be sourced locally from refill shops, farm shops and our brilliant market traders, helping you eat well while supporting local businesses.

Here are three Bee Local favourites to try this winter.

ROOT VEGETABLE & LENTIL STEW (VEGAN)

A nourishing, budget-friendly bowl of winter goodness

You can buy locally:

Lentils, herbs & spices – The Refill, Leighton Buzzard

Root vegetables – Leighton Buzzard Market or Pecks Farm Shop

Ingredients

200g red or green lentils

2 carrots, chopped

1 parsnip, chopped

1 small swede, diced

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 vegetable stock cube

800ml hot water

Salt & pepper to taste

Method

Add everything to the slow cooker, stir well, and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Serve with crusty bread from your favourite local baker.

HEARTY BEEF & ROOT VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Proper winter comfort food for chilly evenings

hearty beef stew

You can buy locally:

Stewing beef – Abbey Meats (formerly Yirrells)

Root vegetables – Leighton Buzzard Market

Herbs & stock – The Refill

Ingredients

700g stewing beef, diced

2 carrots, sliced

2 potatoes, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 tbsp plain flour

2 tsp dried mixed herbs

1 beef stock cube

400ml hot water

Salt & pepper

Method

Dust the beef in flour, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
Stir well and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours until the beef is beautifully tender.

CHICKPEA, SWEET POTATO & TOMATO STEW

A warming veggie favourite with big flavour

You can buy locally:

Chickpeas, spices – The Refill

Sweet potatoes & onions – Pecks Farm Shop or LB Market

Ingredients

2 tins cooked chickpeas (or 250g dried, soaked overnight)

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes

Salt & pepper

Method

Add everything to the slow cooker, stir, and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Serve with rice or flatbreads.

WHERE TO SHOP LOCAL

The Refill, Leighton Buzzard – pulses, grains, spices and stock refills

Leighton Buzzard Market – fresh seasonal vegetables – Tuesdays and Saturdays

Pecks Farm Shop – locally grown produce

Abbey Meats – quality meats delivered to you

Bee Local Tip

Slow cookers use less energy than ovens and help reduce food waste, making them perfect for thrifty, eco-friendly winter cooking.

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