Morphy Richards Sear and Stew – Smoky sausage casserole recipe
My OH would say I don’t need a slow cooker. We have an Aga, so in his eyes, there’s no need for a slow cooker. Which is true to an extent, but there’s a lot of stages in using an Aga – brown on the top, get bubbling in the top oven, then transfer to the simmering oven. On a work day I don’t have time for that before work. Having the OH finish work at random times of the day is a hassle with serving food, so being able to put food on at the start of the day and just leave it to cook all day works well.
After I put a slow cooker on my Christmas list, the OH bought me the one I wanted for Christmas. A 6.5L Morphy Richards sear and stew slow cooker* (affiliate link). I had looked online to check sizes and reviews, but when I spotted it in a shop on our high street I was worried it was huge. But bigger has to be better than the 3.5L which would cater for 3-4 but wouldn’t be possible to use for having a group of friends round or a party.
So far I’ve been really pleased with the slow cooker. I’ve stockpiled lots of recipes on pinterest, and have already made a few meals in it. It’s so handy when we’re out for the day, I can get everything ready, and then not worry about it until we get home. What I also like is that I can brown the meat first on the hob using the inside part, before adding all the ingredients and then putting the pot into the actual slow cooker. Not that I’ll always have time do that, but it’s nice to have seared meat first.
I’ve also found the Morphy Richards sear and stew really easy to clean. The lid and inside non-stick pot can be put in the dishwasher – although I’ve not yet bothered, because any sauce left in the pot has been easy to wash off in the sink. It’s also much lighter than I expected. One of my friends has a crock pot and she was really surprised at how light mine is.
With 3 heat settings, low, medium and high, it means I can cook according to how much time I have. Always handy when I’m running behind my planned timings.
So far, my favourite meals have been sticky orange chicken, which we had served with rice and sprinkled with spring onions and classic rice pudding.
And sausage casserole. We never get to eat sausage casserole when the OH is home because he doesn’t like sausages being ‘messed’ around with, so I took the opportunity when he was on a shoot day elsewhere.
My recipe includes the usual base for casserole, but adds a couple of sauces to pep it up.
Slow cooker sausage casserole
Serves 3-4
Ingredients
6-8 sausages
1-2 tbsp flour
1 red onion, diced or sliced
2 sticks of celery, chopped
3 carrots, diced
2 tbsp barbecue sauce
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
600 ml beef stock
Pepper, salt (as required)
Make it:
1, Brown the sausages on the hob on each side
2, Add the onion, celery and carrots. Heat through.
3, Sprinkle with flour and stir in til sausages are coated
4, Add the stock, bbq sauce, worcestershire sauce. Season as required
5, Transfer pot (or casserole) to the slow cooker and cook on suitable heat. I did high for 3-4 hours, or medium for 6 hours.
6, Serve with mashed potato and peas.
You could add lentils to your pot too, or baked beans. I’m not really a fan of smoky bbq flavours, but this isn’t too smoky. An alternative is to change the bbq sauce for a red onion chutney.
It certainly got scoffed down quickly here, and is really easy to increase or decrease the amount as required. The ‘gravy’ is fairly thick and glossy, but if yours needs thickening just add a roux (mix of melted butter and flour), or some cornflour mixed to a paste with water). Or thin it out with some more boiling water or water from your potatoes.
So far I’ve been really pleased with my slow cooker. I’m looking forward to trying out all the other savoury and sweet recipes I’ve been pinning.
Follow Emma Tustian – Bubbablue and me’s board Food – slow cooker recipes on Pinterest.
Do you have a slow cooker? What recipes do you recommend I try?
I love my slow cooked. Sausage casserole is also a fave in our house. I often do a curry in the slow cooker and last week cool a beef brisket over night which turned out amazingly xx
Yum, both of those sound good. I’m hoping for pulled pork this weekend, so we’ll see how that goes.
I couldn’t live without my slow cooker! This look delicious! #TriedTested
oo yummy I have a slow cooker but I never do more than casseroles and stews in it really must be a little more adventurous!
We have this exact same one! I’ve not used it for a while but my husband did pulled pork in it recently, it was amazing! I must check out pinterest for recipes as it would be so useful to stick it on in the morning and have something ready when we come in for dinner. #triedtested
Ooh that sausage casserole sounds fab! We’ve got a slow cooker someone gave us but we haven’t used it yet – we probably should!
Yes, get it out. The only problem is it takes up space, but so much easier to clean than an oven and lots of pans.
My other half got me a slow cooker last year and shockingly my flatmate has used it more than me 🙁 I’m going to make sausage casserole today though as haven’t had it in ages!!
You need to definitely claim it back. They’re so handy when you want to make in bulk too. I’ve put leftovers in the freezer (for after my diet, or for when N needs feeding if we’re going out). Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by.
I literally had a new slow cooker delivered yesterday and it’s a Morphy Richards one in red – the same as this I think. I loved my previous one and I think it died of overuse ha!
Gotta do a pulled pork in that xx
I have this slow cooker but I have only used it once! I lose confidence with what to do it, I wouldn’t have thought of doing sausage casserole (don’t know why!!) but I have done a beef casserole and it was lovely! Will try a sausage casserole this week! 🙂
#TriedTested
I have this slow cooker and I love using it! I need to use it a lot more than what I do though. They’re great especially if you are busy through the day.
I bought this exact one from Amazon last year but I was disappointed as the one I had before it had auto shut off and keep warm facility – this one I need to remember to switch off #TriedTested
Initially I was hoping for a timer and auto shut off, but for the money I wanted to spend, I couldn’t really find that. Shame, we all want everything really!
I love my slow cooker, I have one same size and brand just slightly different dial wise. So handy when you have lots to cook for or want to make meals to freeze #triedtested
I don’t have a slow cooker but after reading this I really want one. Damn Christmas for being so far away! It sounds so practical for a family. Especially if everyone eats at different times. And I love the idea of putting it on in the morning and then not having to think about it. Plus, those meals look yummy. Especially the sausage casserole. I do love a yummy casserole in the winter. Hugs Lucy xxxx
It’s so tempting isn’t it. Worth checking out the sales – you can get them reasonably priced in the supermarkets too – double up points to use vouchers? Definitely lots of benefits. The hardest bit is finding somewhere to put it when not in use.
Thanks for stopping by
I really miss our slow cooker, we got rid when we moved house but we may have to get another as I’ve certainly missed this winter.
Oh those recipes sound good, I am off to find the sticky orange one as well as pinned the sauage one too! Thanks
I love my slow cooker! That chicken looks amazing and I am definitely going to try out these sausages as I have never tried them in the slow cooker before, not really sure why! x
As someone else said, they obviously don’t crisp up. I worry that they’re not properly cooked, so like that I can sear them first. Slow cookers are just so versatile. Can’t wait to use it more
We don’t have a slow cooker but I can totally see the benefits – being able to have tea ready for when you get home from work sounds great.
I have this slow cooker and I absolutely love it. I have only made stews and casseroles in it so far, but I am planning to try BBQ Pulled Pork soon
Laura x x x
Oh delicious. That’s one on my list to try.
Oh no, I kick myself every time I read a beautiful slow cooker recipe! I still haven’t got around to getting one and I know it would just be so helpful. I really do need to get on it! Thanks for the reminder 😉
Get one in the sales. Perfect opportunty!
oh yum! i love my slow cooker and use it a couple of times a week. this looks great x
I have that slow cooker too and it is a god send! I use it loads and it’s definitely one of my most prized possessions. Is that sad? I just love trying difference recipes in it.
That sticky orange chicken sounds delicious. Is the recipe on your blog?
xxx
Hi Jenna. Glad I obviously chose a good one as several people love theirs. That recipe’s not mine – it’s on the pinterest board – one of the first pins (orange chicken – circle of moms, I think)
I have the exact same slow cooker which I bought off Amazon. I love it! It’s brilliant to brown meat on the stove then transfer to the cooker. I love sausages but I find them a little soft in the slow cooker. My favourite dishes in the slow cooker are a chicken and spinach balti and a cidered pork casserole with sage dumplings 🙂
Yum, they both sound nice. I know what you mean about sausages. We usually do them in the aga for about an hour so really crispy. Don’t think the slow cooker version would get served up to the OH.
I have one similar to yours and I confess it usually lives in the cupboard. I’m determined to bring it out this year though, so will be keeping an eye here for recipes and will pop over to Donna’s blog too 🙂
I have so many slow cooker recipes on my blog – you just can’t beat a slow cooker for how easy it is! Your sausage casserole looks lovely, I’ll definitely be trying it and my slow cooker has cracked recently so off to look at your one! x
Oh no, pain when something breaks and you love it. I shall have to check out your recipes. Think I’ve got a few pinned. I’ve got a stack to get through, just need to do some hours of prep, bagging and freezing now!