Chicken and Barley Stew

I love using whole grains as often as possible.  They add so much nutrition and are full of fiber.  They are inexpensive.  They are also great tasting!

Barley is one of my favorite grains.  Most of the barley grown in the United States is used in beer and other malt beverages.   As it turns out, I like it that way too!

Today I invented a stew to use some barley.  I browned 4 Cubanelle peppers, that had been slivered in a tablespoon of olive oil.  I added a medium onion also slivered.  After they had softened I added 3 cloves of garlic that had been minced.  I put a cup of pearl barley in the bottom of my rice cooker and poured the skillet of peppers and onions in over the barley.  I stirred to mix and coat the barley grains with the olive oil.  I crumbled a handful of dried porcini mushrooms on top of the mixture.

I browned 4 chicken thighs in a skillet and then laid them on top of the mixture in the rice cooker.  Then I added 2 cups of water and put the rice cooker on the white rice setting.  It is bubbling and steaming away.  I can't wait to taste it.

Use the right onion

The Last of the Turkey

Today, I am using the last of the Thanksgiving turkey.  I froze it all in single recipe packs so that we didn't have to overdose on it like many people do, right after the original dinner.

Turkey Hash Casserole

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded turkey
4 cups shredded white potatoes
2 cups shredded carrots
1 shallot, diced
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 can evaporated skim milk
2 teaspoons ground thyme
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper



Combine all ingredients well and pour into a slow cooker.  Cook on low for 4 hours or until hot and bubbly.   When done, lay slices of cheddar cheese over the top and cover until the cheese melts.

Menu 11-11 through 11-16

Menu 11-11 through 11-16

Monday 11-11 - Baked Ravioli
Tuesday 11-12 - Reuben Sandwiches
Wednesday 11-13 - Sticky Cider-Soy Chicken Legs and Spicy Peanut Noodle Salad from Rachael Ray
Thursday 11-14 - Baked Stuffed Poblano Peppers with Beans and Pepper Jack Cheese
Friday 11-15 Pizza on Naan
Saturday 11-16  - Spicy Ramen Chicken in Rice Cooker