Favorite Recipe: What's New

I fight food boredom.  Meaning, after cooking the same dish for a while, I just get an itch to make something new.

So, here are two new recipes tried out this week, both considered winners (as ranked by the Head Judge of our household, the fastidious and selective Mr. Ben.  Who likes all food except chewy granola bars.).

Category: New Meals

Winner #1: Chorizo Lentil Stew

• 1 pound Chorizo Sausage
• 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
• 1 can (15 Oz. Size) Cannellini Beans, Drained
• 1 can (15 Oz. Size) Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
• 1 cup Dried Lentils
• 2 cups Chicken Stock
• 6 cups Fresh Chopped Spinach  

In a big stockpot, brown the chorizo in a little bit of vegetable oil, stirring constantly, until almost done, about 5-7 minutes. Add in the cannelini beans, tomatoes, lentils, and chicken stock and stir until combined. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes until the lentils are soft and tender. Remove from heat and stir in the spinach; cover for about 5 minutes to let it wilt.

Note: I made this with Polish sausage (since it's what we had) and used dry garbanzo beans, which I just boiled until they were revitalized and ready to include.  And I just used regular old crushed tomatoes, not "fire roasted."  Tasty!

Winner #2: Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken 



4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thighs would be fine too)
Salt and pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (could also use olive oil or canola oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional – doesn’t really add heat, just adds more flavor)
4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds

Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.

Note: I put together all the chicken and sauce ingredients and threw it in the freezer for a couple weeks, then thawed overnight and cooked it up this afternoon.  Nice and easy.