Live webchat with top TV chef James Martin - Thurs 25 Oct 3.30-4.30pm

Hi James
My question is about slow cooking in a cooling, wood-fired bread oven. We have had the bread oven for about three years and have got pretty good at bread, pizza and tarts. We haven't yet used the potential of the oven as it cools from about 250c to 50c over 12 hours. Our neighbours here in Normandy would love us to make the local speciality, Tergoule, but we already get that at every village event and frankly, a little bit of rice pudding goes a long way!
So ideas, savoury or sweet would be very welcome.

I have been cooking for over fifty years - somewhat immodestly I can say with a good degree of success, especially puddings !! However, I have never mastered Flaky or Puff Pastry even after following instructions to the letter many times. Have you any tips James please ?

I am terrible for throwing this and that in a pot without any real thought, what basics would you use in a savoury dish as your base flavours.

My last post seems like an obvious question I suppose the answer could be just divide everything by 2 but it is not as simple as that when it comes to herbs, spices and stock etc. At least I think that is the case, but this could be utter drivel.

I have a small slow cooker for 1 or 2 servings. Do your recipes convert easily to smaller quantities? I have ordered your book but have not seen it yet so I am assuming that most recipes are for 4 people. Thank you.

Hi James, Your book is well timed as I suspect slow cooking will become very popular this winter as fuel costs continue to rise and we're all watching the food budget. I also like using a pressure cooker for cheaper cuts of meat. Have you any plans to include recipes for pressure cookers in future books?

My slow cooker recipes can tend to taste the same any suggestions

Hi James, love your show and my slow cooker. I have a friend who cooked rice pudding in his slow cooker but when I tired it always turns out dry and horrible. Any ideas ?

Please James have you any foolproof soup recipes for the slow cooker, that take minumun effort?

Hello James, do you have any good low fat recipes for the slow cooker.

Yes please do answer Lindylooby's question. and if you make it low fat, that would be even better.

I love cooking, and watch you every Saturday. Have you got a foolproof curry recipe for the slow cooker? I love my slow cooker but curry never seems to taste that good?Please, please answer this question - I want to amaze friends when they come over.

I love my slow cooker but is it necessary to brown the meat before going into the pot? The whole point of the cooker to my mind is that it is really quick & easy. Browning the meat & onions etc first rather spoils one pot idea but I was always told that you had to brown the meat to get the extra flavour. Does it really make much difference?
And to be cheeky please & ask 2 questions- are there any good desserts I can do in it?
hank you
Hx

hello James
I have 20 family which includes six under 5's for a casual boxing day lunch can you give me a slow cooker recipe that is just a little bit special . Chicken beef or lamb. All three son in laws fancy themselves as gourmet cooks so I am really up against it .Slow cooking great idea so I dont have to spend all my time in the kitchen and can enjoy the day.
Many thanks

Ohhh James Martin do you need any help in the office that day cari I am available. Bet he brings you a cake
I will have to go and cool down before I think of a question

Oh, I luuuurve James Martin. Watch him very Saturday morning. I just bought his Masterclass book for my sister and she served up the best pasta she's ever made the other night.

James, can I ask a non-cooking question, please? Speaking as a former hostage to two clumber spaniels - how on earth did you manage to train your lovely clumber Fudge to keep from trampling through your veg plots?