Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Beef Stew with Beer and Collards

Continuing my quest for dumping beer into my slow cooker I came across this recipe in The Healthy Slow Cooker cookbook.  I love dark leafy greens but the only way I've ever eaten collard greens is the way my dad made them ...with lots of bacon and sugar (he kind of had to make them that way to get us kids to eat them).  I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty they came out of the slow cooker, and the meat just disintegrated it was so tender.  Make sure you are in the mood for a meaty meal cause this one is!
Give yourself some prep time when planning this for dinner.  Also note that you will need not only the regular cooking time but another hour when you add in the greens. I have to say for the extra time it took to prepare this meal I was a little disappointed it didn't have more depth in the flavor, it still was good but not crazy good.  Though Jeff made the Cheddar Beer Biscuits to go with the stew and whooyeee that made it so much better!


Carbonnade with Collards

Ingredients
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil (approx)
  • 2 lbs trimmed stewing beef, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground pepper
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups dark beer (little more than one bottle)
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Tbsp paprika, dissolved in 2 Tbsp cider vinegar
  • 8 cups collard greens, stems removed and chopped

1. In a large skillet heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium high heat for 30 seconds. Add the beef in batches, stirring till just browned (about 5 minutes). Add more olive oil as necessary. Transfer browned beef to slow cooker. 
2. In the same skillet reduce heat to medium and add the sliced onions. Cook, stirring often, till they start to soften. Stir in garlic, thyme, salt, & pepper and cook 1 minute. Add flour and cook until lightly brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste. Add beer, chicken stock, and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute scraping up all the yummy brown bits in the bottom of the pan.

3. Pour mixture over beef in slow cooker and mix well. Cover and cook low 8 hours or high 4 hours.
4. Add paprika mixture and stir well. Add chopped collard greens in batches, making sure all gets submerged in the stew. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour more. Discard bay leaves before serving (if you can find them :)

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Slow Cooker Cheddar Beer Chicken with Biscuits

This Christmas my mom got me my very own crock-pot and I've had fun throwing random food in there to slow cook for hours. My newest thing is finding new ways to cook with beer. Yes beer! I know it sounds odd since I don't even like to drink beer but somehow the flavor is just wonderful in food.  So seeing this recipe in Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade recipe book I just had to try it, I mean bacon and beer and chicken and cheese?  It had me at bacon.
I recommend using a beer with lots of flavor, none of that light no calorie stuff (I used Bass's Pale Ale which has a nice flavor).
While I had a bottle of beer open I also made some quick Cheddar Beer Biscuits to go with the meal and WOW!!! .... that is all I can say about that. 
Enjoy and Cheers!!


Slow Cooker Cheddar Beer Chicken
Ingredients:
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 lb red potatoes (about 6-8 small potatoes)
  • 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Garlic powder, salt, & ground black pepper (or you just have garlic salt then just use that & ground pepper)
  • 1 can (10 oz) Campbell's cheddar cheese condensed soup
  • 3/4 cup + 1/4 cup beer
  • 3/4 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled 
1. In a slow cooker pour in the 1/4 cup beer. Peel and dice the onion and throw in the cooker. Wash and slice in half the red potatoes and dump on top of the onions.
2. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, & pepper. Place in slow cooker on top of the veggies.
3. In a small bowl whisk together the can of soup with the remaining 3/4 cup beer. Blend in the bacon crumbles and pour over the top of the chicken breasts (dont mix it in with the veggies just pour on top, it will cook down by itself)
4. Cover and cook on Low for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours (be sure to not overcook as chicken will dry out).  Spoon lots of the juice over the chicken when you serve it and sop it up with the Cheddar Beer Biscuits (recipe below).



Cheddar Beer Biscuits
(makes 8 large biscuits)

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 2/3 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup beer
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (not packed)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut the shortening in with a pastry blender or a butter knife until the mixture is well blended and crumbly.
3. With a spoon mix in the sugar, beer, and cheese until just blended.  Drop large spoonfuls on an ungreased baking sheet and bake 14-16 minutes, till the bottom is light brown.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Here kitty kitty ...

Ok so here is the real reason I have not posted since the beginning of the New Year..... we got a kitten.  Well a 6 month old kitten but soooooo cute and wonderful and distracting from anything of importance. Even Jeff isn't immune to the kitten's charms :)