January 24, 2014 | Posted in:

Slow cooker Moroccan chicken stew

My french grandmother made the very best “couscous” in the world. She would work for days preparing everything, slowly steaming the semolina before rubbing it with butter between her fingers. I’m not sure she would approve of my slow cooker adaptation of her recipe! But why spent 10 hours doing something when you can get it done in 30 minutes with equally delicious results?!
Moroccan chicken stew

Ingredients

1 chicken, cut up into pieces, or two breasts, two legs, bone in
2 lamb shoulder chops
2 tblsp olive oil
1 leek, whites only, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 carrot, peeled cut into large chunks
2 turnips, peeled and cut into quarters
2 zucchini, cut into large chunks
1 1/2 cups of chicken broth
1 small can of chick peas
1 tblsp and 2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cloves
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Brown chicken and lamb and then place in slow cooker.
In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the leeks, garlic, carrots and turnips. Fry for about five minutes. Add spices, continue to cook while stirring 5 minutes.
Add broth, stir, and pour contents into slow cooker.
Set slow cooker on high for 4 hours. After 2 hours, open slow cooker and add zucchini and chick peas.

Serve on a bed of cousous (I prepare it by placing it in a shallow bowl and pouring hot water over top, letting it sit then fluffing it with a fork. A dash of with “Harrissa” spice (if you can find it, otherwise chili powder would work) on top is delicious!

No comment | Post a Comment

January 22, 2014 | Posted in:

Slow cooker beef shank pasta sauce

I added red wine and black olives to this stew-like pasta sauce to crank up the fullness of the flavor, but my kids loved it too!
Slow cooker tomato sauce

Ingredients

2 large beef or veal shanks
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup red wine
2 sprigs fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 tsp dried
32 oz or 1 quart of canned crushed tomates (I used the home-made sauce I made this summer in this video!)
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Instructions

Roughly chop the onion and garlic. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet. Brown the onion and garlic, about 3-5 minutes, until translucent. Add the shanks and brown on both sides (about 3 minutes a side). Add red wine and cook 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and seasoning. Transfer to slow cooker. Cook on high heat for 6 hours. Remove the shanks and shred the meat. Return to sauce.
(I ended up refrigerating the sauce for a couple of days, and it only got more delicious!).

No comment | Post a Comment

October 15, 2013 | Posted in:

Fire roasted pepper and tomato salad

Here’s a lovely dish to make in the early fall or late summer, when those long thin red peppers are in season. They’re easier to barbecue than traditional rounded bell peppers!

roasted pepper_edited-1

Ingredients

6 marconi (the long thin mild bell peppers) peppers
8 roma tomatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 clove garlic
10 greek olives (optional)
For dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
2 tblsp balsamic vinegar (optional)

Preparation Instructions

Roast pepper on the bbq, or in the oven, under the broiler, until skins are blackened. Remove from heat and immediately wrap in newspaper or place in a paper or plastic bag. Seal bag and put aside.
Cut tomatoes in half. Remove seeds (run your finger or a spoon inside the tomato to loosen the fleshy pulp and seeds- they will fall right out).
Put 1/4 cup of olive oil and salt in a plastic bag or bowl, add tomatoes, and toss/mix until coated.
Arrange the tomatoes on a parchment lined cookie sheet, and place in a low temperature oven (300 degree Farenheit) for about an hour and a half, turning half way through cooking time.
Peel peppers and remove seeds.
Pull peppers apart with your hands to make long sections of pepper (you can use a knife, but this is so much easier to do while you are seeing the peppers!) Place in bowl. Add the tomatoes, crushed garlic and olives if using. Sprinkle with salt. Add oil and vinegar (balsamic is great if you tend to like a slightly sweeter sauce.) Toss. Serve cold or room temperature.
This salad is best if you can leave it for an hour or two for the flavors to develop.

No comment | Post a Comment

October 9, 2013 | Posted in:

Quick coconut curry noodles

Here’s another near-instant soup that’s perfect if you’re craving something spicy and warm.
currycoconutramen1

Ingredients

1 pack ramen noodles
1/2 can coconut milk
1 tsp thai curry paste
1/2 tsp fish sauce
1/2 cup coleslaw mix
coriander
squeeze of lime

Preparation Instructions

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add curry paste and seasoning packet from soup. Add coconut milk, fish sauce and noodles. Simmer until noodles are cooked. Pour into bowl over coleslaw mix. Top with coriander and a squeeze of lime.

No comment | Post a Comment

October 9, 2012 | Posted in:

Swedish/norwegian pancakes

from Jennifer L.’s book, North Branch , MN

Ingredients

1 c. milk
2 eggs
2 tbsp sugar
2/3 tbsp melted shortening or cooking oil
pinch of salt
1/2 c. flour

Preparation instructions

Combie all ingredients to make batter. Use flat greased frying pan. Put approx. 3 tbsp batter in pan, swirl around so batter runs toward edge. In a few minutes, turn over. Serve with syrup, strawberry jam, or fresh berries.
Eat with fork or rolled and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Submitted by: Jennifer L

No comment | Post a Comment

| Posted in:

Swedish limpa

from Jennifer L.’s book, North Branch , MN

Ingredients

2 1/2 c. All-purpose flour
2 pkg active dry yeast
1 tbsp caraway seed
2 c. warm water
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 tbsp finely shredded orange peel
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 c. rye flour

Preparation instructions

In a large mixer bowl combine 2 1/2 all-purpse flour, 2 pkgs active dry yeast, and caraway seed.
Stir together 2 c. warm water (115°-120°), brown sugar, shredded orange peel, cooking oil, and salt. Stir into flour mixture. Beat at low speed of electric mixer for 1/2 min, scraping bowl. Beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in 2 1/2 c. rye flour and as much of 3/4 to 1 1/4 c. all purpose flour as you mix in with a spoon.
On a floured surface knead in enough remaining all purpose flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6-8 minutes total). Shape into a ball in a greased bowl; turn once. Cover; let rise in a warm place till double (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hrs).
Punch down; divide in half. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Shape into two 4 1/2-ich round loaves on greased baking sheets. Cover; let rise till nearly double (about 40 minutes). Bake in a 350° oven 40-45 minutes.

Submitted by: Jennifer L

No comment | Post a Comment

| Posted in:

Swedish fruit soup: version 2

from Jennifer L.’s book, North Branch , MN

Ingredients

1 lb mixed dried fruit
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. raisins

Preparation instructions

Soak fruit in water to cover. Carefully cook in covered saucepan so pieces remain whole. When fruit is tender, add sugar and salt and simmer ten more minutes. Drain off about 2 c. juice and put in double boiler. Add raisins and tapioca. When cooked, add to fruit mixture with cloves and cinnamon stick. Let stand covered until cool. Chill thoroughly before serving with a dollop of whipped cream.

Place cloves and cinnamon on threads to be sure to pull them out when cold.

Submitted by: Jennifer L

No comment | Post a Comment

| Posted in:

Swedish fruit soup: version 1

from Jennifer L.’s book, North Branch , MN

Ingredients

1 8oz pkg mixed dried fruits
1/2 c. raisins
3 to 4 inch stick cinnamon
2 c. unsweetened pieapple juice
2 tbsp quick cooking tapioca
1 med. orange, thinly sliced and halved and quartered.
1/2 c. currant jelly
1/4 c. sugar

Preparation instructions

Halve large pieces of fruit. In a large sauce pan combine mixed fruits, raisins, cinnamon, and 4 c. water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 1o minutes. Meanwhile, combine pineapple juice and tapioca; let stand 5 minutes. Add to cooked fruit mixture along with orange, jelly, sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt.
Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally; Remove stick cinnamon. Serve warm or chilled.

Submitted by: Jennifer L

No comment | Post a Comment

| Posted in:

Royal swedish meatballs

from Jennifer L.’s book, North Branch , MN

Ingredients

2 lb ground hamburger
1 lb ground lean pork
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. mashed potatoes
1 c. dry bread crumbs
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 c. milk

Preparation instructions

Combine all ingredients except cream; mix well. Form into small balls. Dip in flour. Brown, Put into baking dish. Pour cream over meatballs. Bake in slow oven 325°.
They may be fried in pan instead of baking.

Submitted by: Jennifer L

No comment | Post a Comment

| Posted in:

Ostkaka-cheese cake

from Jennifer L.’s book, North Branch , MN

Ingredients

25 to 30 graham crackers, rolled fine
1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1 (3oz) pkg lemon gelatin
1 c. hot water
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 pt whipping cream

Preparation instructions

Blend well cracker crumbs, butter and powdered surgar with fork or pastry blender. Press crumbs firmly on bottom and sides of two 9-inch pie pans, reserving small amount to sprinkle on top. Dissolve gelatin in hot water. Cool. Cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Stir into gelatin; mix until smooth (low speed on mixer). Whip cream and fold into cheese mixture. Pour into prepared crusts. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Chill before serving. May be served plain or with berries.

Submitted by: Jennifer L

No comment | Post a Comment
63 queries in 0.342 seconds.