Broth Ideas

Yesterday it was raining and I was craving broth in some form or fashion, so I ran to the store and purchased some low sodium chicken broth. Here is what I put together and it was GOOD!

8 cups Chicken Broth
1 teaspoon dried parsley flake
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon soy sauce (adds umami)
2 potatoes diced
6 green onions chopped
1/4 cup rice
4 ounces ground beef
S&P to taste (I like mine a little on the salty side)

In a large cast iron pot I browned the meat and potatoes, added in the rest of the ingredients and let simmer covered for about 2 hours, the last 30 minutes I left the lid off so that the flavors could reduce and become thicker. I ate mine with some Jiffy on the side. I had it for Lunch and Dinner because it was so good!

This would be good with some Celery, Carrots, and Peas, but I didn't want to go back to the store.

What do you make when you are craving broth?

Healthier Chili

It is that time of year where everyone is trying to eat healthier, exercising more, etc....

So I wanted to come up with a recipe that was healthier but you wouldnt know it was healthier by flavor.  So I tackled one of my favorite winter-time dishes..... Chili.

What you will need:

1/2 pound lean ground beef
2 cans chickpeas
2 Roma tomatoes
1 small red onion chopped
1t chili powder
1t cumin
1/2t Cinnamon
1/2t cayenne
1 cup chicken stock
S&P to taste

First, rinse off your chickpeas.  In a blender add one of your tomatoes and about 1/3 cup of the chickpeas.  blend until smooth (you may need to add a few tablespoons of chicken stock to make it blend easier) reserve this liquid.

In a large stew pot add the ground beef and chopped onion and cook until the meat is thoroughly browned.  Add the other tomato but make sure to chop it first.  Saute for about 2 minutes.  Add the rest of the ingredients including the reserved tomato/chickpea smoothie you made first.   Let stew for about 15 minutes to make sure all of the flavors are melding well. 

Serve with either fresh cornbread or crackers.  You can garnish with avocado, sr cream, etc....

Braised Ox Tails

It is snowing today and I really wanted a warm feel good meal.

So I made Braised Ox Tail Stew...

What you will need:

2 pounds Ox Tails
1 cup pmoegranate wine
3 cups beef broth
4 cups water
1 pound potatoes chopped
3 large carrots chopped
1 cup onion chopped
1 tablespoon balsimic vinegar
2 tablespoons parsley
seasonings (I used garlic powder, onion powder, and red chili flakes)
S&P to taste
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

coat your ox tails in flour, brown them in the olive oil, add the wine and stock to a large heavy pan, add the browned ox tails. Let simmer for 1 hour, then add the water and all of the chopped veggies, seasonings, and vinegar. simmer 3-5 hours until the ox tail meat falls off the bone. enjoy!