I am currently eating a majority vegetarian diet. I have mentioned this in a post before. I am not turning vegetarian nor am I going to keep preaching my reasons behind it because I think there is nothing worse. However, recently I guess due to social media and opening my eyes a little I have become more aware that the meat I am buying (mainly from Aldi) probably didn't have the life the animals at our farm have. And whilst growing up on a farm I know not all farming is cruel, I know if we stop farming the animals are not going to skip off into the wild to live a merry happy life. I do however want to be more mindful of where I am buying my meat from. I want to make sure with all produce I buy not just meat the animal, fish, farmer who worked so hard is being fairly and ethically treated so I promised I would only buy meat and animal-based produce locally from butchers etc. I also find if I am cooking for myself meat can feel a little wasteful. I hate wasting food as it is but I won't throw away meat so I have also avoided cooking it for just myself. Which is why this slow cooker tagine is a favourite of mine.
The slow cooker is perfect for me when I am trying to eat lower fat/ calorie meals as I snack too much when I am waiting for dinner. The slow cooker has everything ready for when I walk in the front door which is ideal. Again like the majority of my recipes, this was first cooked by my sister and she added pinenuts too which I would fully recommend if you're not stingy like me. I am sure hers taste 300 times better but she enjoys cooking, so the fact I made it this far and didn't burn this house down in a testament in itself.
The best thing about a slow cooker is you really do not need to follow the method, as long as it is cooked you are good but the steps I followed are.
Brown the onions, garlic and ginger in a frying pan with the olive oil. Add the Cinnamon and Cumin and stir together.
Make the stock and add into the slow cooker, add in the tinned tomatoes, honey, and the onions etc.
Cook away for however long is needed.
I then add the CousCous to the slow cooker 30 minutes before I want to serve, sprinkle it with goats cheese and you are done.
That is really done if you are serving for friends flatbread works really well.
It really is that simple, healthy and hopefully tasty. Let me know if you try it.