Navigating the kitchen, I once found, can be challenging for those of us with autism. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right equipment and a simple recipe, cooking, I’ve discovered, can become an enjoyable and rewarding experience. In this post, I’ll explore how one can create a delicious pork stew using a slow cooker, easy for those seeking more independence in the kitchen.

Ingredients

- 500g pack of diced pork
- Potatoes (250g per person or 2 small per person, 1 medium-sized per person, or 1 large for 2 people)
- Carrots (100g per person)
- 1 onion
- 4 teaspoons of gravy granules
- 1 Oxo cube
- Worcester Sauce (15ml/1 tablespoon)
- Mushrooms (added about 1 hour before the end of cooking)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients:

-  Wash and scrub the potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms.
-   Peel and chop the potatoes, carrots, onion, and mushrooms.

2. Layer the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker:

-  Place the diced pork at the bottom of the slow cooker.
-  Add the chopped potatoes, carrots, onion, on top of the pork.

3. Make the Gravy:

-   In a jug, mix 4 teaspoons of gravy granules with half a pint of boiling water.
-   Crumble the Oxo cube into the gravy mixture and stir until it forms a thick brown texture,

4. Add the Gravy Mixture:

-   Pour the gravy mixture over the layered ingredients in the slow cooker, ensuring it just covers the diced pork.

5. Add the Worcester Sauce

-   Add 15ml (1 tablespoon) of Worcester sauce to the mixture.

6. Cooking Time:

-   Set the slow cooker to either low for 8-12 hours or high for 6-8 hours.

7. Cooking Tips:

-   Keep the lid on throughout to prevent drying and burning.
-   Place the slow cooker on a heatproof surface, such as granite or marble, and ensure it's a few inches away from a wall.
-   Aim to fill the slow cooker to about 1/2 to 3/4 full for optimal cooking.

8. Adding Mushrooms:

-  About 1 hour before the end of the cooking time, add the chopped mushrooms to the slow cooker.

9. Serving and Storing Leftovers:

-   Once cooked, serve the pork stew piping hot.
-   For leftovers, cool the stew to room temperature before storing.
-   Leftovers can be refrigerated for a few days or frozen for longer storage.

Conclusion

Cooking doesn't have to be complicated, especially with the convenience of a slow cooker. By following these simple steps, this is an example of how you can create a hearty and flavourful pork stew that's ideal for consumption after a long day at work. Embrace the joy of cooking and enjoy delicious meals with ease.

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