Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes

Whoever invented the slow-cooker was a sadist.

For the past six hours the house has been steadily filling with the deliciously savoury aroma of a rich beef and winter vegetable stew. A miniature volcano of homely comfort bubbling away in the kitchen. A stew, moreover, designed to be the perfect meal, both calorifically reticent and nutritionally replete and complete… as well as warming, tasty… and requiring minimal dishwashing.

I don’t often cook much for myself. I cook for my son instead and by the time I get home it will be whatever I can grab that is easy. Bursting with self-righteousness, I decided it was time I used the culinary skills on my own behalf. The whole idea was simple. Throw everything in there to cook… enough to feed me for several days… then I wouldn’t have to think about it again except to switch it back on to reheat…