slow-braised pork with ratatouille

Preparation time 20 minutes

Cooking temperature high

Cooking time 7–9 hours

Serves 4

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 red pepper, cored, deseeded and cut into chunks

1 yellow pepper, cored, deseeded and cut into chunks

375 g (12 oz) courgettes, cut into chunks

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

400 g (13 oz) can chopped tomatoes

150 ml (¼ pint) red wine or chicken stock

1 tablespoon cornflour

2–3 stems of rosemary, leaves torn from stems

875 g (1¾ lb) piece thick end belly pork, rind and any string removed

salt and pepper

mashed potatoes, to serve

Preheat the slow cooker if necessary; see the manufacturer’s instructions. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the onion and fry, stirring, for 5 minutes or until just beginning to turn golden.

Add the peppers, courgettes and garlic and fry for 2 minutes, then mix in the tomatoes and the wine or stock. Mix the cornflour to a smooth paste with a little water, then stir into the pan with the rosemary leaves and some seasoning. Bring to the boil, stirring.

Tip half the mixture into the slow cooker pot, add the unrolled belly pork and cover with the rest of the vegetable mixture. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 7–9 hours or until the pork is almost falling apart. If you like your sauces thick, ladle it out of the slow cooker pot into a saucepan and boil for 5 minutes to reduce down. Cut the pork into 4 pieces, then spoon into shallow dishes and serve with mashed potatoes and the tomato sauce.

For braised chicken with ratatouille, fry 4 chicken thigh and leg joints in 1 tablespoon olive oil until browned on both sides. Drain and transfer to the slow cooker pot. Make up the ratatouille as above, spoon it over the chicken and cook on high for 5–6 hours.