Some meals have "seasons" & I think beef briskett goes along with Passover like corned beef goes along with St. Patrick's Day. The supermarkets think so too since it these cuts of meet go on sale to coincide with the respective holiday. Place price aside, & brisket is the perfect cut to make in the slow-cooker. It's a tough meat that benefits from the long braising time.

This meal was oh so good.
This was break apart, delicious.
Don't wait for a holiday, make it for dinner soon.

<3 Lishie
 

Slow-Cooker Brisket & Onions 

slightly adapted from Martha Stewart

• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 5 medium carrots, cleaned & peeled
• 2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
• 1 first cut of beef brisket* (4 lbs.), trimmed of excess fat
• Coarse salt & ground pepper
• 2 c low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 TBSp chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, lay the carrots on the bottom. Season brisket with salt & pepper & place, fat side up, on top of the carrots in slow cooker. Place onion & garlic on top. Add broth. Cover & cook on high until brisket is fork-tender, about 6 hours. Remove brisket & thinly slice against the grain. Serve with onion & some cooking liquid; sprinkle with parsley.

I served with herb-buttered noodles, alongside.

*Lishie (& Martha) tip- For this recipe, look for the leaner first cut, or "flat cut."

Vegetable Lentil Soup

Sunday I rummaged through my crisper box & realized what I thought were 2 cucumbers were actually 2 zucchini! Easy mistake I think, right? (Wondered why I had 2 cukes in the left box & 2 cukes also in the right one, ha!) So I didn't even think what to make, just took the zucchini & chopped... Grabbed an onion... carrots, potato... & this came about.

<3 Lishie

Vegetable Lentil Soup

• 1 TBSP olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, cleaned & chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, either whole/crushed or minced
• 1 tsp herbs de provence
• s & p
• 1 TBSp tomato paste
• 2 small zucchini, chopped into half moon pieces
• 2 cups dried lentils
• 3-4 cups water or chicken stock
• fresh parsley, chopped
• fresh Parmesan

In a large pot on medium heat, saute the onions, carrots & garlic with the olive oil, herbs de provence & s & p for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent. Add the tomato paste, then zucchini & saute for 10 more minutes. Add the lentils, then water or chicken stock, & lentils. Cover & bring to a boil. Reduce the heat&  simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until the lentils are cooked through. Serve with fresh parsley & grated Parmesan.

GAME DAY SWAP ~ Blooming Onion w/ Dipping Sauce

Before everything went black with Hurricane Sandy, we had swapped recipes with my National Cooking Board for the subject "Game Day Swap". (Thank you, as always Sarah @ A Taste of Home Cooking.)Funny thing is, I was so looking forward to make this & then SHE (Sandy) hit... When I finally was able to make this delicious appy, we still had no tv. No complaints here, for real, I have learned that I watch way less tv than I thought & it permitted me to read more (yes, even more than I already do- for me & to my tot). Not to really mention all of the REAL devastation the storm caused. I happily fried this baby up for a family Board Game Day. I think you all will LOVE it to...

Yes, it is a knockoff Outback Steakhouse recipe. And yes, it is pretty, pretty close to real thing!!! THANK you so much to Christine @ CHRISTINE'S CHRONICLES for this recipe. And I agree with Christine's complaint, "the greasy fried smell that it leaves in your house...yuck!"!!! BUT it is well worth it! I did core the onion (the ONLY use out of the "Blooming Onion Gadget" we have. Do NOT buy it- see pic below! Such a waste!!!) AND my onion still fell apart. That is so ok because I believe taste tops presentation ALWAYS! :)

Make this for your football game, your hockey game or really, for your family game night. So good! Finger-lickin' good!!!!
<3 Lishie

Blooming Onion w/ Dipping Sauce

from Christine's Kitchen Chronicles

via All Recipes

For the Blooming Onion:

• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/3 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 large sweet onion
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil for frying

For the Dipping Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 2 tablespoons cream-style horseradish sauce
• 1/3 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. To make sauce: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, 1/3 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon oregano, a dash ground black pepper and cayenne pepper; mix well. Keep sauce covered in refrigerator until needed.
2. To make the batter: In a medium bowl, beat egg and add milk. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, ground black pepper, oregano, thyme and cumin; mix.
3. To slice onion: slice 1 inch off of the top and bottom of the onion and remove the papery skin. Use a thin knife to cut a 1 inch diameter core out of the middle of the onion. Now slice the onion several times down the center to create 'petals': First slice through the center of the onion to about three-fourths of the way down. Turn the onion 90 degrees and slice it again in an X across the first slice. Keep slicing the sections in half, very carefully until the onion has been cut 16 times. Do not cut down to the bottom of the onion.
4. Spread the 'petals' of the onion apart. To help keep them separate you could plunge the onion into boiling water for 1 minute and then into ice water.  Keep the onions bloom side down in the ice bath for at least 30 minutes to allow onion to bloom. 
5. Dip the onion into the milk mixture and then coat it liberally with the flour mixture. Again separate the petals and sprinkle the dry coating between them. Repeat with a second layer of milk mixture and follow again with flour coating.
6. Heat oil in a deep fryer or deep pot to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make sure you use enough oil to completely cover the onion when it fries.
7. Fry the onion right side up in the oil for 10 minutes or until it turns brown. When the onion has browned, remove it from the oil and let it drain on a rack or paper towels. If desired, open the onion wider from the center so that you can put a small dish of the dipping sauce in the center.

Check out the post I gave for the swap: Stromboli!!!
Check out another Outback Steakhouse copy: Shrooms!
And check out my guest post today on Mom It Forward: Kids Craft: How to Make a Nature-Inspired Turkey

Slow-Cooker Country Chicken Stew

Comfort food! That is what we need!!! Especially after all of the storms, etc. And wait? ANOTHER NorEaster is predicted for Thanksgiving week in NJ? You don't say. Sigh. I'll start praying now it won't wreak much havoc to our already damaged state.

I made this "Before the Darkness" as some of us are calling the hurricane period. I loved it. My mom & pop-in-law loved it. The tot loved it. I think the cat loved it too. Who did not? My hubby. Whatevahs. This.is.so.good. Chicken fall off the bone good. Make a big pot of it & relax....

<3 Lishie

Slow-Cooker Country Chicken Stew

• 1 1/2 lbs baby red potatoes
• 4-5 carrots, cleaned & cut into thirds
• 4-5 parsnips, cleaned & cut into thirds
• 4-5 celery ribs, cleaned & cut into thirds
• 1 medium onion, skinned & cut into quarters
• 2 lbs bone-in chicken thighs & drumsticks
• 1/2 c water
• 1 TBSp herbs de provence
• 1/2 tsp black pepper 
• 1 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
• 3 TBSp cornstarch
• 1/2 c milk

Prep slow cooker with cooking spray. Place potatoes, carrots, parsnips, celery & onion in slow cooker. Place chicken on top of vegetables. Mix water & seasonings in a small bowl until well blended. Pour over chicken & vegetables. Cover.
 

Cook 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
 

Last hour of cooking- combine the cornstarch & milk in a small bowl until smooth. Stir into sauce in slow cooker. Cover & cook 15 minutes longer on high or until sauce is thickened.

Serve over egg noodles.

Chicken in Tomatoes

Is anyone else still mourning summer? I know, I know. I love Autumn & the change it brings, the gorgeous hues & vegetable variety... the holidays & all. But I am still a summer lovin' girl. So when I was looking into my recipe clippings for ideas & came across something with the heading "Saving Summer", I stopped short. Yes, please, let's save it!!! It was a clipping from a 2 year old back issue of Everyday Food for Chicken in Tomatoes. The article had been about freezing some of the fresh produce of the season for the upcoming chillier months. And I saved it because we always have an abundance of fresh, Jersey tomatoes from my pop-in-law's garden. Well, until this year. Don't get me wrong, we had fresh Jersey tomatoes this past summer months from pop's garden but not as many as usual. Black thumb over here heard something about the high temps causing the problem as well as the sneaky squirrel who resides in our tree. So I went ahead with this yummy recipe using canned tomatoes & it was tasty! I served it with cavatappi pasta on the side & it was a hit!

<3 Lishie

Chicken in Tomatoes
originally printed in Everyday Food

• 32 oz can of tomatoes
• 1 TBSp olive oil
• 1-2 lbs skinless chicken breasts
• s & p
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tsp oregano
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed & peeled

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Coarsely pulse the tomatoes in a food processor. In an overproof skillet, heat oil over med-high. Season chicken pieces with s & p & brown on one side, about 7 minutes. Flip & cook about 1 minute. Transfer chicken to a plate, set aside. Reduce heat to med., add onion & cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add oregano, then garlic, stir for about a minute. Add tomatoes, more s & p, & bring to a boil.

Place the chicken pieces back into the skillet, darker side up. Transfer skillet to the oven & cook 25-30 minutes, until chicken is done.

Chicken Cacciatore

In the northeast, NYC/NJ we are feeling hints of Fall. I am glad that the day I chose to cook this was a particularly brutal weather day with high wind gusts, rain & tornado warnings to boot. This meal is a cozy, tummy-warming one especially served sided with shell shaped pasta. "Cacciatore" means hunter in Italian. But really, who hunts chicken? Ha ha... Despite that, this rustic-like meal is very delicious- you should make it!

<3
Lishie

Chicken Cacciatore

• 2 lbs. Chicken breast, boneless
• S & P
  AP Flour (for dredging)
• ¼ c olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• ½ c of water, chicken stock or white wine
• 1 28oz can tomatoes w/liquid, crushed
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 8oz button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 red & 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Cut each chicken breasts into large pieces (about 3-4 pieces per breast). Season the chicken pieces w/S&P. Dredge the pieces in flour, coating them lightly & tapping off the excess flour. In a wide 5-quart braising pan, heat the oil. Add the chicken to brown without crowding. After all chicken is browned on all sides, remove from skillet, & add the onions to the pan, stirring, 5 minutes. Pour the liquid (wine, water or stock) into the pan deglazing it, stir then bring to a boil, & cook until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes & oregano, season lightly with s & p, & bring to a boil. Tuck the chicken into the sauce, place on a low simmer & cover. Cook, stirring a few times, 1 hour, simmering. 

Round Pasta

Here's a secret... I haven't been watching much of the Food Network prime-time line-up lately. Why? It doesn't seem to be about food anymore but rather, about competitions. I want the original reality television- a cooking show. I am pret-tee sure Julia Child would not like it either.  So somehow I came across a preview for Giada's episode "Jade Turns 3". Giada gave birth a few months before me... And since Gabriel just turned 3, I felt compelled to dvr the episode. The "Round & Round Pasta" dish Giada cooked for the little girls gave me the idea to make my own. To my dismay, I could not find rotelle pasta in any brand at our supermarket... then I spied Barilla Piccolini Mini Rotelle, Wheels, With Zucchini & Spinach. And my heart sighed...

<3 Lishie

Round Pasta

adapted from Giada De Laurentiis/Food Network

• 1/4 c extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 vadalia or sweet onion, diced small
• 2 medium carrots, sliced into 1/4" rounds
• pinch of sea salt
• 2 medium zucchini, trimmed & cut into 1/2" rounds
• 1 lb spinach & zucchini rotelle pasta

Dressing:

• 1/2 c ricotta cheese, at room temperature (4 oz)
• 1 TBSp lemon juice
• Zest of 1 large lemon
• 1 tsp salt, plus extra for seasoning

Cook the pasta to box instructions.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots & a sprinkle of salt. Cook until the carrots begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the zucchini & another pinch of salt. Cook until carrots & zucchini are tender. I like the zucchini to be nearly translucent. Add the zucchini mixture to the pasta.

For the dressing: mix together the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest & salt in a small bowl until smooth. Mix the dressing into the pasta.

Stroganoff Pockets & a "Mommy" tip!

The stroganoff pockets are yummy but after them, this is pretty much a "mom" post... Sorry everyone if it doesn't pertain to you, just ignore the latter part... Here's a yummy & easy recipe that AGAIN, allows me to proclaim my love for these rolls (& nope, I do not get paid to advertise for P-Bury!!!!)

Stroganoff Pockets
adapted from Pillsbury.com

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 c mushrooms, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• S & P
• 1/4 c beef stock
• 1 c sour cream
• 1 c fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cans Pillsbury® Crescent Rolls 
• 1 egg white

Saute the onions over medium-high heat until translucent. Add the ground beef & garlic, stirring frequently, until beef is only partially pink; drain oil from meat mixture & return to heat. Stir in the mushrooms, the garlic & the S & P. Add the beef stock & allow to simmer till the stock is nearly gone. Turn off heat & add the sour cream & parsley.


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prep a baking sheet with spray, set aside. Roll out the crescent dough on a lightly floured surface. Using two "rolls" create rectangles... On one half of the rectangle, dollup meat mixture. Overlap the other half of the rectangle & "secure" together. Do the same with the remaining crescent rolls. Place the pockets on the baking sheet, then brush each with the egg white. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.

And the mommy tip?!

Oh it is great (forgive me if you know this already BUT...) while crafting a lightbulb came on in my head.  Rare, but yes, it happens... And I realized that pipe cleaners are the PERFECT thing to use to clean out those persnickety straws from sippy cups!!! AHA! I soaked the sippy cup parts in warm, suddsy water then wet & pipe cleaned. It was wonderful.

They were originally used to clean pipes so... And I love me some pipe cleaner crafts too!

And what was the pipe cleaner craft?! Here's a peep at our Egg Buddies:

I know it is early for Easter crafting but these are so cute. And a great way to repurpose egg cartons. Just make sure you wash the styrofoam beforehand in case of salmonella.

What you need: 

• 2 egg holder pieces
• 1 pipe cleaner per "buddy"
• marker for the face

Use the pipe cleaner to connect both pieces.

Egg Chickadees:

Egg bunny (Just look at his little 'ol tail!):

<3 Lishie

Garden Tomato–Zucchini Tian

We love fresh veggies & always have an abundance of them (never mind the fact that my father in law grows them too!!!) And herbs ~ a Summer Bounty! So I am always looking for ways to make them to showcase a variety at the same time outside of a salad... Tian's are perfect because they are so pure~ the cooking process simply brings out the intense, true flavors of the veg & allows a few different varieties to marry in the baking dish. I recently saw this recipe from Saveur which, along with my father-in-law's gorgeous tomatoes, plus,  reminded me to make one... It was delish! Use it to top some pasta & you have a delicious vegetarian meal or go ahead & have it as a side.

Saveur promises: 

"This beautiful dish "speaks" summer, using vegetables just plucked from the garden. Fresh herbs enhance its simplicity."

& delivers!

Tomato–Zucchini Tian

Adapted from SAVEUR

• 1 medium eggplant, peeled & sliced 
• Salt
• 1 large onions, peeled & sliced
• 1 clove garlic, peeled & minced
• 1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced diagonally
• 1 medium yellow summer squash, sliced diagonally
• 2 ripe large tomatoes, sliced
• 4~6 fresh basil leaves 
• 1⁄2 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano (optional)

1. Cut eggplant in 1" slices, sprinkle with salt, & place in a colander. Drain for 30 minutes, then pat dry.

2. Cook onions and garlic in 3 tbsp. of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium baking dish. In the same skillet, cook eggplant in 2–3 tbsp. of the olive oil until tender and slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Season with salt & pepper, and stir into onion mixture.

3. Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange zucchini, squash & tomatoes in layers with eggplant. Place in the basil, on the sides, drizzle with remaining oil, season with salt & pepper, and bake 30–40 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, if using, and serve.

BTW~ Have I mentioned that if a recipe even mentions cheese as "optional", it's always a must for me? ;)

Enjoy!

<3 Lishie

Chicken, Pepper & Mushroom Tikka Kebabs & Cous Cous

We have a new grill at our home & I am ecstatic... My hubby has been grilling pretty well with it! I prep the food then he cooks it. I do the sides. Oh and desserts (But not in this post!) It was a teensy bit rainy tonight but that did not stop us. Oh no! And why? I also got a new cookbook- "Entice with Spice" by Shubhra Ramineni & I am in love!!! Tonight's dinner was inspired by one of Shubhra's recipes called Chicken & Bell Pepper Tikka Kebabs. This was delicious & a nice change from bbq sauce :)

I make my kabobs, so similar to hers but I add mushrooms for my hubby... And used Shubhra's marinade (with extra reserved for dipping):

Chicken, Pepper & Mushroom Tikka Kebabs 

• Grill Spray
• Package of skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
• 1 lb. boneless Chicken breast or tenders, cut into 2" cubes
• 2-3 bell Peppers, sliced into 2" pieces (I used green, red & yellow)
• 1 Onion, sliced into 2" pieces
•  Handful white, button Mushrooms

Place the items on the skewers, alternating... I do onion/chicken/onion/pepper/onion/chicken/onion/mushroom/onion/chicken/onion/pepper...

Brush with the marinade (recipe below) & grill till the chicken is cooked well, turning the kabobs... about 8 minutes on each side.



Tikka Marinade

• 1 TBSp Garlic, minced
• Zest & juice 1 Lemon
• 1/2 tsp Coriander
• 1/4 tsp Tumeric
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh cracked Pepper
• 3 TBSp Plain Yogurt

Whisk together all of the above ingredients.


*Lishie tip- Place a small amount of the marinade aside to use to dip the skewers!


As a side, I decided to make a quick cous cous:
Sauteed Pepper Cous Cous
2 TBSp Canola Oil
1/2 of a Bell Pepper, chopped, set aside from above (I used 1/4 yellow & 1/4 red)
1/4 of an Onion, chopped, also set aside from above
1 & 1/2 cups Cous Cous
2 cups Water


Heat the oil in a small sauce pan on Medium heat. Add the onion & pepper & saute until the onion is translucent & the pepper is soft but with some "bite" left. With a slotted spoon, remove it from the pan then drain the oil. Add the water into the pan & bring to a boil. Add the cous cous, shut off the heat & fluff/mix. Cover & set aside for 5 minutes to rest. Add in the sauteed pepper & onion & fluff the cous cous before serving.

And everything was cooked, cleaned & eaten with enough time for some after dinner crafting with G!

Happy Flag Day! 6*14*11
<3 Lish

Egg & Hash Nests

The extreme temperatures seem to be finally breaking in the Northeast, thankfully! Here's a tasty "breakfast for dinner" meal I made in the oven. They are little packages of goodness! So yummy & like many of the recipes I make, very versatile (*see tip below)!

Since they can be pre-made, no worries about time! Make a batch of these & you can have breakfast all week or have them for lunch. And I rarely take shortcuts but did this time. How? I used Ore-Ida packaged frozen hash browns. It's just too hot out.

These are also the perfect finger food for little hands!


Egg & Hash "Nests"
Makes 6 Nests

• Cooking Spray
• 1 cup Potatoes, cooked & shredded or use my shortcut!
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 1 bell Pepper, chopped (I used half yellow & half red)
• S & P
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup Gruyere, grated
• 1 TBSp Chives, chopped

Preheat the oven to 375 Degrees.

Spray a 6-cup sized muffin pan with Cooking Spray & set aside.


Combine the potatoes, onions & peppers, S&P in a bowl. Mix. Divide this mixture evenly among the 6 cups of the muffin pan, pushing down to form a "bowl" in each. Place in the oven for about 25 minutes.


While the "bowls" are pre-cooking, whisk together the 3 eggs, then add the cheese. After the 25 minutes, take out the cooked potato mixture & add the egg/cheese mix evenly divided onto all 6 bowls... Place the pan back in the oven for 15-20 minutes (Make sure the egg is fully cooked). Top with chives & ENJOY!


*Lishie tip- The versatility of this recipe... You can add cut up pieces of meat: ham, turkey, sausage, bacon, prosciutto, pancetta... Corned beef hash! Change up the cheese... swiss, cheddar, parmesan... Switch veggies- squash, asparagus, etc.... Use egg whites instead... Or you could even swap out the potatoes for sweet potatoes!

Zucchini, Bell Pepper & Angel Hair Pasta

So another Wingsday... Another new try at winging it HA HA HA (I have to laugh since, ick, I don't like the wings!) Well, since I DON'T eat them, I made myself this pasta. Perfectly yummy & healthy for a warm night's dinner.

Zucchini, Bell Pepper & Angel Hair Pasta

• 2 TBSp Canola Oil
• 1 small Onion, sliced
• 1 red Bell Pepper, sliced
• 1 Yellow Bell Pepper, sliced
• 1 Zucchini, peeled into "ribbons"*
• 1/2 box Angel Hair Pasta, pieces broken in halves
• Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese, Optional

In a pasta pot, set water to boil. 

In a Medium saute pan, heat the canola oil on Medium-High. Add in the onion slices, S & P & pepper slices. Saute until the veg is soft, but not too mushy.  

When the water boils for the pasta, add in the pasta & the zucchini strips. Cook as per instructions on the pasta box. Zuccini ribbons take the same amount of time. Drain, reserving a 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Add in the sauteed onion, bell pepper slices, along with any scrapings/oil in the pan. If needed, for extra moisture, add in the reserved pasta water here. Toss everything together.

Top with the grated parmesan & enojoy! 

*To make the Zucchini Ribbons- Take a Vegetable peeler & peel off the zucchini skin. Then continuously slice "ribbons" of zucchini into a pile with the peeler.

And as for the Buffalo Wingettes? We tried a new Frank's sauce- Buffalo. All I did this time was basted the wingettes in the sauce, Broiled them till very crisp & brown... Flipped the chicken pieces over, basted the other side... Broiled till browned again... & served doused with the Frank's/ I think my hubby loved this method the best so  far. And he loved the Frank's Buffalo Sauce's kick.

Gingery Chicken ~ Slowcooker

So it's back to work after a long, beautiful Memorial Day weekend. I had the prep time so I went ahead & readied this dish for the day back to work. I recently got America's Test Kitchen "Slowcooker Revolution" Cookbook & I was so excited. I love ATK & their recipes are delicious & trustworthy. Plus they explain why some things work & some things do not. This recipe is adapted from one in their book. Since I only have a 6 Quart Crock-Pot, I made 3 split chicken breasts which is enough for our family.


The chicken came out mighty juicy & the sauce is yummy... I made white rice on the side & poured the gingery sauce over it. As another side, I made roasted cauliflower, adding one tsp of fresh, minced ginger to the dressing. Silly me was too tired/too sick- forgot to take pictures of the dish all gussied up! ;) Sorry! 

Slowcooker Gingery Chicken, adapted from America's Test Kitchen

• 2 TBSp Canola Oil
• 3 Split, bone-in Chicken Breasts
• 1 Onion, chopped small
• 3 large Garlic Cloves, minced
• 3 TBSp fresh Ginger, minced
• 1/4 cup AP Flour
• 1 cup Chicken Broth
• 3 TBSp Soy Sauce (I always use low-sodium)
• 1 TBSp Sugar
• S & P
• 2 Scallion stalks, Optional topping

On medium-high, heat the canola oil & brown the chicken breasts on both sides. Do it in batches if you need the room. <<*My crock-pot is stove-top friendly. If yours is not, use a large saute pan.>> Remove the browned chicken pieces. In the same oil, saute the onion till it is clear, about 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic & 2 TBSp of the ginger... saute for another minute. 

Mix in the flour & cook while stirring for a minute. While whisking, add in the chicken broth & get all of the good, brown bits up! <<*If you are using a saute pan, TRANSFER to the crock-pot now.>> Add in the soy sauce, sugar & S & P & whisk till combined. Nestle in the chicken pieces... 


Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. Remove the chicken & place on serving platter. Skim the fatty oil off of the top of the sauce then add in the last TBSp of ginger. Ladle sauce over chicken pieces. Serve the chicken topped with scallions.

Homemade Sloppy Joes

It's a bit chilly out today but not cold enough to warrant a stew or something extremely hearty. I was glancing through my America's Text Kitchen cookbooks since the BEA- Book Expo America is coming up this week in NYC & ATK will be there. I love stopping by their table. And I love even more that they  have given out free food & cookbooks, signed right there. Sloppy Joes sort of stuck in my mind & I decided to make them tonight. They are a comforting food & home made, not full of all of the sodium, salt & sugar the canned stuff comes chock full of... These are so tasty. I have some leftover which I may even mix with a little pasta for a lunch for me. Make these- your kids will love them & you'll be happy because it is good for them. We had potato salad & fresh dill pickles on the side.

Sloppy Joes
Adapted from America's Test Kitchen
Serves 4

• 2-3 TBSp veg oil
• 1 med onion, finely diced
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced 
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 lb 85 % ground beef, I use Angus
• S & P1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 Kaiser Rolls

Heat oil over medium-high heat, about 1 minute. Add onion, stir until covered in the oil. Cover & allow to soften but not brown (about 10 minutes). If it begins to brown, lower the heat.  Add the garlic & chili powder and saute for 30 seconds. Add beef, S & P, brown sugar & reduce heat to medium. Cook, breaking up meat into small pieces, using a wooden spoon, until meat is almost no longer pink, about 3 min.


Add the puree, ketchup, & water. Cook until slightly thickened, about 4-8 minutes.


Serve on Kaiser buns. 

*Lishie tip- use a good, sturdy bread or bun (like a kaiser- I had plain, my hubby chose with poppy seed. Have  told you all that he goes grocery shopping with me EVERY week! Yep!) a regular hamburger bun will absorb any of the sauce like a sponge, become soggy & fall apart. Yuck.)