Seasonal recipe - get in the mood for Christmas

In between making mince pies and chocolate truffles, I found time at the weekend to create an entirely new recipe for the slow cooker, using some tasty and seasonal ingredients -  and here it is for you to try:

Game and beetroot casserole
1 tblsp oil
200g smoked streaky bacon
500g diced game - I used a mixture of pigeon, pheasant and venison
4 beetroots, peeled and sliced
12 shallots
1 sprig of rosemary
2 bay leaves
100 ml port
500 ml stock
Salt and black pepper

Place the bowl on the stove top over a medium heat.  Heat the oil and add the chopped bacon.  Fry until beginning to change colour.  Add the diced game and brown on all sides.
Carefully transfer the bowl to the heater base and add all the other ingredients.  Stir well.
Cook on KEEP WARM for 8 hours.
If you want a thicker gravy, mix a flat dessertspoon of cornflour into 50 ml water. Add to the casserole and cook for a further 30 minutes.

Try serving this with some buttered spinach and creamy mashed potatoes