Indian-Spiced Braised Chicken

From Everyday Food Magazine
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp. grated ginger (from a 1-inch piece)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper (I used a scant 1/4 tsp. because of the kids)
• coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/2 c. plain yogurt
• 1/4 c. chopped fresh cilanto
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala (optional)
• cooked white rice, for serving

1. In a 5-6 qt. slow cooker, stir together chicken, onion, tomatoes, tomato paste, ginger, garlic, coriander, and cayenne; season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook on high 4 hours (or low for 8) until fork-tender. Stir in yogurt, cilantro, and garam masala, if using. Serve with rice.

Slow-Cooker Carne Guisada

From Everyday Food Magazine
Serves 8

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast or bottom round, cut into 1-inch pieces
• coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium white onion, diced medium
• 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and diced medium
• 1 large jalapeno, seeded and diced small
• 5 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• Flour tortillas, warmed, grated cheddar, and cilantro, for serving

Directions

1. Season beef with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over high. In two batches, cook beef until browned on all sides, 5 minutes per batch (add 2 teaspoons more oil for second batch). Transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
   
2. In same skillet, cook 2 teaspoons oil, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic over medium, stirring and scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon, until vegetables are tender, 5 minutes. Add cumin, chili powder, oregano, and flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly pour broth into skillet, stirring until liquid is smooth. Simmer 2 minutes, then transfer mixture to slow cooker, along with tomatoes and bay leaves. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high 6 hours. Serve in tortillas with cheese and cilantro.
   

Night 1: Slow-Cooked Brisket in Onion Gravy, Night 2: Brisket Sloppy Joes

From Eating Well Magazine

Night 1
*2.5 lbs flat-cut beef brisket, cut into 2 pieces
*olive oil
*2 onions, thinly sliced
*3 cloves garlic, minced
*1/2 tsp dried thyme
*1/2 tsp pepper
*6 oz. can tomato paste
*1 cup beef broth
*salt
*1 tbsp butter, softened
*1 tbsp flour
*2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and brown brisket one piece at a time, about 2 minutes per side, adding oil if necessary to prevent sticking. Transfer brisket to a 5-quart slow cooker.

Add 1 tbsp oil to the pan and add onions, cooking until softened. Add garlic, thyme and pepper and cook, stirring, for one minute. Stir in tomato paste. Add beef broth and salt and bring to a boil. Tranfer onion mixture to the slow cooker and cover for 4-5 hours on high (or 8-10 hours on low).

Transfer beef to a cutting board and slice or shred. Transfer gravy to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil rapidly for 5 minutes to reduce slightly. Meanwhile, mix butter and flour in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Once the gravy has reduced, lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Whisk half the butter mixture into the gravy and return to a simmer. Stir until it thickens slightly. The gravy should have the consistency of a cream soup. If it does not thicken enough, add the rest of the butter mixture and repeat. Serve the brisket with the gravy.


Night 2
*olive oil
*1 green bell pepper, diced
*1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
*14 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
*2 tsp chili powder
*salt
*leftover Slow-Cooked Brisket
*leftover Onion Gravy
*2 tbsp molasses
*2 tbsp brown sugar
*whole wheat buns, split and warmed

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add bell pepper and jalapeno and cook until softened. Add tomatoes, chili powder and salt and cook, stirring, for one minute. Add brisket, gravy, molasses and brown sugar; stir well. Cover and simmer 10 minutes to meld flavors. Serve on warm buns.