Nathan Anthony fell back in love with slow cooking during the lockdown. He even set up a food blog, Bored of Lunch, to spread the word about the joys of the Dutch oven. Out of that came Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Slow Cooker Book, packed with dishes from pastas and risottos to curries and family favourites.

How did you fall in love with slow cooking? My mum always had one growing up and the food always tasted great – delicious stews and curries. When I went to university I started using my slow cooker because it was easy. It allowed me to put my dinner on to cook in the morning, go to lectures and complete my university work without fighting with my housemates to use the hob. Plus it’s healthier and tasty, no need for oil.

Sounds like convenience played a big part? Definitely. Even after finishing university working as a graduate I could meal prep and cook food on low during the day whilst I worked and come home to a meal ready. It also gives extra capacity for meal planning and preparation on a Sunday.

What’s your favourite slow-cooked dish? Oh, that’s a tough one, I’ve so many. Probably my Creamy Chorizo, Sundried Tomato Penne. Not a dish you’d think would be a slow cooker recipe but cooking your pasta in the sauce is so convenient and saves you time and money. Why boil a kettle or saucepan when your sauce can cook the pasta for you?

What’s one lesson you had to learn the hard way? When it comes to using a slow cooker always add less liquid than you think you need. It’s very easy to add more if required but harder to take away or thicken if you’ve added too much to begin with.

Cast-iron Dutch oven or standalone slow cooker – any preference? Definitely slow cooker for me, a lot of them have a “keep warm” setting so if hosting or feeding a crowd you can switch on that setting. The recipes work perfectly in a Dutch oven too though.

Slow cooking is synonymous with meat dishes. Anything here for the vegetarian or vegan? Oh absolutely. You can make the most incredible risottos and vege curries, or even pasta dishes using orzo. Any of the recipes in the book you can replace the meat with vegetables or your favourite plant-based alternative.

Your lockdown project took off – has it replaced your day job? It has. I juggled both for three years out of love and enjoying being busy but it got to the point it was unsustainable and there’s only one of me. I wouldn’t change a thing and can’t wait to focus full-time on Bored of Lunch.

Any plans for future books? Absolutely, I’ve just finished writing my third cookbook, which I can’t wait to share with you all.