Tom Kerridge will be appearing at Pub in the Park Festival ( pubintheparkuk.com). Recipe from tomkerridge.com Tom Kerridge’s creamy mushrooms, poached egg and asparagus This healthy creamy mushrooms, poached egg and asparagus is perfect to enjoy in bed Meanwhile, griddle the courgette slices on a ridged pan for one to two minutes on each side, until charred. Set aside. I’ve taken this comfort food classic to another level with the addition of the slow-cooked chilli beef, using ox cheek. It’s so underused but the flavour is incredible. Timings

Toss around to make sure the tomatoes are well coated. Scatter on to the lined tray, cut side up, and roast in the oven for 45 minutes. Put the pineapple chunks and their juice, the mango, avocado, chia seeds (if using) and spinach into a high-speed blender and pour over 330ml coconut water. Add the ginger and mint and blend until smooth. Slow cookers are often confined to heavy winter recipes made with stodgy ingredients and with poor nutritional content. Cook Slow: Light and Healthyshows you just how versatile your slow cooker can be with effortless, nourishing recipes inspired by dishes from around the world. Avoid boring ‘diet food’ and cook slow to create healthy, wholesome food for balanced eating.

If time allows, roast the squash first. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Place the squash in a bowl, drizzle with some oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter onto a baking tray and roast in the oven for 30 minutes. Add the onion and garlic to the same pan and fry for three to four minutes. Add the smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, oregano and chilli powder and cook for another minute.

I love that my slow cooker will now be used all year round rather than confined to the colder months.

Special offers and product promotions

When it comes to his preferred style of cooking, Dean says he really likes home cooking and simple family meals. Meanwhile, make the mashed potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes or until softened. Drain and then mash the potatoes along with the butter and warmed milk then season with salt and pepper. (Or if you’re using my cheat of shop-bought mash, pop it in the microwave for three minutes and stir well.) Add all the ingredients apart from the honey to your slow cooker and season with salt and pepper. Add the butternut squash and stir to combine. Put the lid on and cook on the low setting for six hours or for four hours on high. Place the tomato halves in a bowl along with the garlic, thyme and oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Methods are given for both slow cooker and conventional ovens so even if you've not invested in a slow cooker, you can still enjoy this marvellous book. Nadiya Hussain’s banana thyme loaf Nadiya’s banana and thyme loaf is perfect for Mother’s Day (Nadiya’s Fast Flavours by Nadiya Hussain) Heat the oil in a large heavy based casserole over a medium to high heat. Dust the ox cheeks with the seasoned flour, then add to the casserole and brown for three to four minutes. Remove from the casserole and set aside.Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. In a bowl, whisk the mascarpone and half the orange zest and juice. Add a splash of the cream if it needs loosening a little. Cover and chill. Return the ox cheeks to the casserole, then cover with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to the oven to cook for at least four hours.

Combine the flour, cream of tartar, bicarbonate of soda, sweetener, thyme leaves and lemon zest in a large bowl and make a well in the middle. Leave the mashed bananas in a bowl for half-an-hour to oxidise – this will make them browner and add to the colour. Line and grease a 900g loaf tin and preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas mark 4. Slow cooking is not only the best method for transforming basic ingredients into something special, but there is a feeling of satisfaction that develops inside knowing that the work is done and the magic is happening in the pot. Season the lamb and sear in a very hot, dry, large, heavy-based casserole until golden. This is an important step because it will render away lots of the fat. Pour away most of the fat, then add the onion, carrot and rosemary and cook for five minutes, until softened. Don't own a slow cooker? Don't panic! The recipes in this book can be cooked either conventionally in the oven or in your slow cooker.

Mac and Cheese with Chorizo Crumb (serves 4)

Tom Kerridge’s blueberry, lemon and thyme pancakes Lemon blueberry pancakes recipe from Tom Kerridge’s Lose Weight For Good