BONFIRE night calls for cosy gatherings and hot drinks.
But did you know you can use your slow cooker to brew tasty tiples?
Here are four easy, budget-friendly ideas for classic winter warmers. . .
GLUHWEIN: To make this, pour a bottle of fruity red vino into your slow cooker.
Add 50g sugar, two cinnamon sticks, five cloves, two star anise, and the zest and juice of one orange to infuse warmth and spice.
Set the slow cooker to low for about two hours, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar fully.
Just remember not to let it boil — gentle heat keeps the flavours and alcohol intact.
Once it’s ready, ladle the Gluhwein into mugs and garnish with a slice of orange.
MULLED CIDER: Start by pouring two litres of apple cider into the slow cooker.
Add four cinnamon sticks, six cloves, two star anise, and a sliced red apple for a festive look.
If you want to enhance the flavour, toss in a few ginger slices and a small drizzle of honey.
Set the cooker to low and let it heat for 3-4 hours.
The slow infusion of spices will fill the cider with rich, warm flavours and, as a plus, it will make your home smell amazing.
HOT BUTTERED RUM: Start by combining 50g softened butter, 50g brown sugar, a teaspoon of cinnamon, half a teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves in a bowl.
Add this mixture to the slow cooker along with three mugs of water and one mug of dark rum, stirring until the butter mixture is dissolved.
Set the cooker to low and let it heat for 1–2 hours.
Once it’s ready, ladle the mixture into mugs and serve with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
CHAI: Begin by adding four mugs of water, four black tea bags, two cinnamon sticks, four cloves, four cardamom pods, and a one-inch slice of fresh ginger to your slow cooker.
Set it to low and let it infuse for one to two hours.
After the spices have steeped, remove the tea bags and add two mugs of milk along with honey to taste.
WHIP up dinner in a flash with the Daewoo XL 9L double drawer air fryer, on offer at Very.co.uk.
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TUCK into a slice of Mr Kipling’s sticky toffee loaf cake.
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DIY fans should head to Homebase for buy-one-get-one-half-price deals on Dulux and Crown paint and selected panelling kits.
SWING the stylish £49.99 Mango bucket bag over your shoulder.
Or head to Primark for a similar design costing £10.
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UNTIL November 26, anyone buying a sub, wrap or salad at Subway can add a free bag of Walkers crisps.
In-store or via the rewards app for click and collect.
TRY Tesco’s new Pinch range, inspired by Indian street food, with main dishes down from £4.50 to £3.75 with your Clubcard.
THE Air Wick Essential Oils reed diffuser in Winter Berry Wonderland is on offer at Home Bargains.
Was £10.50, now £2.99.
SAVE: £7.51
STOCK up on Quality Street chocs at Asda, where you can get two tubs for £9, usually £6 each.
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TWO European giants are prepared to make an audacious swoop for Enzo Fernandez – whose future at Chelsea is growing increasingly unclear.
The Argentine was a shock admission from the Londoners lineup for their weekend clash against Manchester United.
Manager Enzo Maresca opted for Moises Caicdeo and Romeo Lavia instead saying he prefers their physicality.
But the snub leaves a huge question mark over Fernandez’s future at the club.
SunSport understands the midfielder is determined to fight for his place at Chelsea.
But a source said he has no intention of sitting on the bench for months on end if he falls down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
And Inter Milan and Barcelona – two of Europe’s biggest clubs – are now both monitoring the situation.
The midfielder has copped flak ever since Chelsea signed him from Benfica for a British record £107million in 2023.
TalkSPORT host Rory Jennings claimed recently that he should “never play for Chelsea again” and that he is potentially the “worst” signing in Premier League history.
But Maresca has publicly spoken about the sympathy he has for Fernandez’s struggles to live up to his price tag, not least given the turmoil in his personal life.
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Fernandez, 23, recently split from his childhood sweetheart Valentina Cervantes to live on his own – despite them having a daughter and son together.
Maresca said ahead of Chelsea’s clash with United: “They are human beings and if you pay £100m that is not my problem.
“You want to buy me then you pay that money.
“That does not mean that every game you have to be the best.
“At the end of the day they are football players and they cannot always be at the top level.
CHELSEA came from a goal down to rescue a point at Old Trafford.
Robert Sanchez brought down Rasmus Hojlund with 20 minutes remaining and Bruno Fernandes rolled in what looked to be a decisive spot kick.
But Chelsea hit back swiftly as Moises Caicedo’s sweet strike flew into the bottom corner.
Here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield saw the performances of the Chelsea players in the 1-1 draw…
Robert Sanchez – 3
Made a few really good saves in the first half, and was much improved after a poor performance last time out against Newcastle.
That was until he gave away a reckless penalty on Rasmus Hojlund, which was easily dispatched by Bruno Fernandes.
His mistakes are starting to cost Chelsea time after time.
Malo Gusto – 2
Got in good positions in the first half, but was often wasteful when he got there.
Was booked for a late challenge on Manuel Ugarte, before being hooked for Cucurella at half-time after an awful overall showing.
Wesley Fofana – 6
A strong performance at the back was marred only by the Frenchman letting Rasmus Hojlund escape him before winning a penalty for his side.
Showed brilliant recovery pace throughout the game, and made some crucial challenges too.
Levi Colwill – 6
That was a strong defensive showing from the Chelsea number 6.
For a player with a passing range as impressive as his is, it would’ve been nice to see him use it more as Chelsea looked for a goal.
Reece James – 5
Improved this week, but still showed signs of rustiness as he gave the ball away in dangerous positions a few times.
More effective on the right side in Malo Gusto’s position, and more comfortable there as expected with Marc Cucurella on the left.
Another 90 minutes in the tank is fantastic news for Chelsea fans.
Moises Caicedo – 9
Scored a certain contender for goal of the month with a sensational volley from the edge of the box to level the scoring for his side.
Effective in breaking up play for the Blues once more, and showed why he is worthy of the £100m price tag Chelsea paid for him.
Romeo Lavia – 8
Another impressive midfield performance from the Belgian, who shows prowess beyond his years on and off the ball.
Seems the perfect pivot partner for Moises Caicedo, and people need to start talking about how Manchester City let him go for peanuts.
Noni Madueke – 6
Unfortunate to hit the post in the 13th minute with a header following a corner.
Worked hard defensively throughout the game too, but was unable to really put his creative abilities to the test.
Cole Palmer – 7
In the first half, his signature ‘Palmer touch’ got the away supporters off their feet, and he was Chelsea’s most creative outlet on the day.
Unable to add another goal or assist to his impressive tally this season, but still had a solid showing.
Pedro Neto – 5
Showed flashes of brilliance on the left-hand side, and came close with a shot across goal in the second half.
Was moved to the right-hand side in the second half, but it was much of the same from there.
Nicolas Jackson – 5
Pretty invisible up front for Chelsea today.
Worked hard and tracked back well when required to, but fans were left confused as to why Christopher Nkunku was left on the bench.
In fairness to him, could’ve had an assist if Enzo Fernandez could finish his dinner.
Subs
Marc Cucurella (for Gusto, 46 mins) – 5
A solid showing on the left-hand side. Chelsea look a better team with him in the 11.
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Madueke, 70 mins) – 4
Tried to light things up on the left hand side, but his spark wasn’t enough to win the game for his side.
Enzo Fernandez (for Lavia, 70 mins) – 2
Missed an absolute sitter which would have won his team the game after coming on. Looks very short on confidence.
Click here to read more Chelsea stories.
“At this moment Enzo is not playing but there is no problem with Enzo.
“The noise about Enzo is because clubs pay so much money for them, people expect they will always be the best. That is not so.
“The only reason he is not playing is just because the physicality I prefer is from (Moises) Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.”
RUBEN AMORIM wants to sign a star Manchester United sold for just £5million, according to a Portuguese League champion.
Amorim, 39, will be the head coach at Old Trafford from November 11 when he leaves Sporting CP after four years at the club.
His time with the Lisbon-based outfit has seen him win two league titles, ending a 19-year title drought in the process with his 3-4-3 system.
United have had problems at full-back this season and for much of last season, with Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw both sidelined through injury.
It forced sacked manager Erik ten Hag into playing a variety of stars at left-back, with his options this season mainly being Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui.
Consequently, it is believed that when Amorim arrives he will look to add a profile who fits the left-wing back role in his team.
Five-time Portuguese League winner Álvaro Magalhães believes the star in question will be former Man Utd academy talent Alvaro Carreras.
Carreras, 21, initially joined the Red Devils academy in 2020.
However, the defender failed to break into the senior squad and after a succession of loan transfers was sold permanently to Benfica by Ten Hag over the summer following a season on loan with them.
Reports have since emerged revealing United included a 50 per cent sell-on clause and a cheap £16m buy-back clause in the deal.
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And speaking to Record, the 63-year-old Benfica legend Magalhaes believes Amorim could make a move to take the star from his old rivals.
He said: “I fear that Rúben Amorim wants him at Manchester United. It seems to me that he has the quality to be one of the first options and looking at the squad.
“I believe that with the new coaching staff he could become a possibility again, especially because the new coach knows him very well based on what he saw from him at Benfica.
“It would be a lot if Benfica had the ability to not let him escape, but now the decision is not just in the club’s hands.”
He explained: “This ability to react to adversity seems to be his strength. Great players only succeed if they are mentally very strong and that seems to be the case.
“Anyone who is weak cannot play for Benfica, just as they cannot play for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, or PSG.
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.
“If he were weak, he would have already been released from Benfica and would be demonstrating quality in another team.
“Benfica were in time to not lose one of those players that we must fight to keep at the club due to his quality.
“I hope he has a lot of luck and continues to have a great season.”
Carreras has played 14 times for Benfica so far this season, scoring once.
Amorim is in action with Sporting CP for the final time in the Champions League tomorrow as they face Manchester City.
His final game as the Eagles’ boss is then against another former club in Braga.
MARTIN BLACKBURN gives his verdict on the Red Devils against Chelsea
Andre Onana – 5
Will be disappointed not to keep out Caicedo’s equaliser.
Almost put Casemiro in trouble with sloppy early pass too
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Key interception to prevent Neto getting in on goal late on and tried to support Garnacho where possible
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Good early block to deny Palmer.
Late slip under pressure from Jackson almost proved costly.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Lucky not to concede a pen with clumsy challenge on Colwill and lucky to escape a red for x-rated late tackle on Palmer.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Poor tackle on Pedro Neto earned a deserved booking and had a real battle with his international team-mate.
Casemiro – 7
Made a difference with super ball to Hojlund in lead up to pen – but could he have got more distance on clearing header that was despatched by Moises Caicedo.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Rugby tackle on Palmer but Uruguayan showed signs he is starting to settle in after big money summer move.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Always a threat but wasted some great chances.
Shot straight at Sanchez and shanked another effort after great work by Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Created United’s best two chances for Rashford and Garnacho and then kept his cool to score from the spot.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Hit the angle with volley on stroke of half-time and saw another shot saved by Sanchez.
Better from the England man.
Rasmus Hojlund – 6
Did not touch the ball in the Chelsea box first half but when he finally did he won the penalty.
Subs
Amad Diallo (73′ for Rashford)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Joshua Zirkzee (’84 for Hojlund)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Victor Lindelof (’84 for Ugarte)
Thrown on to keep things tight and did that.