Tag: slow cooker

Simple Slow Cooker No-Sugar Apple Butter

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Looking for a sweet treat to spread on your piece of toast? Consider homemade apple butter instead of jam or jelly. I love it combined with almond or peanut butter on fresh-from-the-oven bread… or topped on vanilla coconut milk ice cream.

apple butter

Simple No-Sugar Apple Butter

11 to 12 sweet-tart apples, such as Mutsu (my favourite!), cut into small chunks
2 cups apple cider
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Mix to combine. Cook on high for 4 hours. Reduce the temperature to low for 2 hours. Remove the lid and use an immersion blender to purée until smooth. Continue cooking, uncovered, stirring infrequently, for an additional 5 to 8 hours until very thick.

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Slow Cooker Creamy Scalloped Potatoes and Parsnips

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An easy side dish featuring ingredients you probably have on hand, this lighter version adds extra fibre from the potato skins and a hint of sweetness from the parsnips. Using heart-healthy olive oil and nondairy milk keeps the excessive richness of most scalloped potato dishes to a minimum.

potatoes

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes and Parsnips

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup sorghum flour
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard
2 cups unsweetened nondairy milk
Paprika and freshly ground pepper6 medium red-skinned potatoes, cleaned and cut in 1/4-inch thin slices
2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut in 1/4-inch thin slices

Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, flour, thyme, salt, and mustard. Cook for an additional minute. Add the nondairy milk, a little at a time, whisking constantly until smooth. Reduce to low heat and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring often.

Meanwhile, layer half of the potatoes in the crock. Top with half of the parsnips. Once the sauce has thickened, pour about a third of the sauce over the potatoes and parsnips. Layer the remaining potatoes and parsnips. Top with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with paprika and pepper.

Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours, until potatoes and parsnips are tender. Let cool 15 to 20 minutes without the lid on before serving to thicken up the sauce.