Recipes!

Tasty Turkey Ragout

2 - 3 turkey thighs, skinned
2 20 oz cans diced tomatoes
1 can mushrooms
1 medium red onion, diced
1 large shallot, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 zucchini, diced
2 Tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp white pepper
1 Tbsp garlic salt
2 packets spaghetti seasoning mix

Place all items into a crock-pot, stir, and set to high. Cover, and let go 6-8 hours.

Remove bones, stir again, shred pieces if necessary.

Serve over ravioli, potatos or polenta.

This makes about 8 servings, so there's sure to be leftovers... I recommend baked potatoes or cheese ravioli. You can make a creamy rissoto to put it over, though, or polenta. Yum!




Pork, Beans and Barley

1 lb pork carnitas (specific cut of pork - see below)
1 c dried black beans
1 c dried white beans
1 c dried red kidney beans
3 carrots, peeled and diced
4 stalks celery with leaves, cleaned, and diced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and veined, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
6-8 cups water (enough to just cover the ingredients by 1 inch)
1 tsp white pepper
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried rosemary
2 chicken boullion cubes
2 beef boullion cubes

1 small package barley

Carnitas is a specific cut of pork - Normally it's the fattier portion of the cut known as a "fresh ham". It's an incredibly flavorful portion of the meat, and cooks up equally good both in stir-fry's and in slow-cooking. You will need to trim a little more on this cut, but the flavor is worth it, as is the price - about half what you would find per pound for a normal cut.

Jalapenos are hot only if you do not vein them. You can control the heat based on how much vein you leave in. Remember - you can always add, but it's fairly hard to take away.

Combine everything except the barley into the crock-pot, and set to low for 6-8 hours. About 1/2 hour prior to being ready to serve, pour in the barley and stir. This will be your thickener, and will serve to really pop up the flavor.




BBQ chicken

8 pieces of dark meat chicken, skinned, left on the bone
1 red or sweet onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 oz of your favorite bbq sauce (enough to cover the chicken)

Combine everything and set to simmer 6-8 hours. Best served on sandwiches, or over mashed or baked potatoes.

This is great with turkey or pork as well.