SLOWCOOKER PORK LOIN RECIPES

Steps:

• Lightly crush the fennel seeds with the leaves from the thyme and the garlic in a pestle and mortar. Add 1 tbsp oil and plenty of salt and pepper, then bash to a rough paste. Rub all over the pork, then cover and chill for up to 24 hrs, if you have time (2 hrs if not).
• Set your slow cooker to a low heat. Pour a kettleful of boiling water over the shallots, then set aside for 2 mins until cool enough to handle – this will make them easier to peel. Cut off the root and remove the papery skins. Heat the remaining oil in a large casserole or frying pan large enough to fit the pork. Brown the shallots for a few mins then tip into the slow cooker. Add the celeriac and apples, season well and give them a mix.
• Brown the pork in the same pan, on all sides, not forgetting the ends. Sit on top of the veg and apples, fat-side up, nestling the joint in a little so you can fit the lid on. Pour the wine into the frying pan and bubble for a minute, scraping the bottom of the pan to pick up any tasty bits. Pour in the stock, honey and mustard, bubble for another min, then pour over the pork. Cover with a lid and cook on low for 5-6 hrs (depending on slow cooker size), turning the pork and stirring the veg halfway through cooking.
• Remove the pork, wrap in foil and leave to rest for 10 mins before carving to serve alongside the veg with roast potatoes and greens.

Steps:

• Lightly crush the fennel, garlic and the leaves of 3 thyme sprigs together in a pestle and mortar. Add 1 tbsp oil and season well, then bash to a rough paste. Rub the mixture all over the pork, then cover and chill for at least 2 hrs or up to 24 hrs.
• Set the slow cooker to low. Tip the shallots into a heatproof bowl and pour a kettleful of boiling water. Leave to soak for 2 mins, then drain and rinse under cold water until cool enough to handle (this will make them easier to peel). Cut off the roots and remove the papery skins.
• Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan or flameproof casserole that's large enough to fit the pork joint. Brown the shallots for a few minutes over a medium heat, then tip into the slow cooker. Add the celeriac and apples, then season well and mix.
• Put the pork in the pan and brown really well on all sides, then transfer to the slow cooker fat-side up on top of the vegetable mixture. Pour the wine into the pan and bubble for 1 min. Add the stock, honey and mustard and bubble for 1 min more, then pour the mixture over the pork. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hrs, turning the meat and stirring the veg halfway through cooking, if you can.
• Lift the pork out of the slow cooker, wrap and leave to rest for 10 mins before carving. Serve with the cooked vegetables and some greens, if you like.