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Crock Pot Turkey-success!

Prep time: 8 minutes

Cook time: 8 to 9 hours

Ingredients:

1 package (6-oz) cubed herb-seasoned stuffing mix
1 cup sliced celery (2 medium stalks)
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning, if desired
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
2 lb bone-in turkey or chicken thighs, skin removed (I used a turkey breast)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 jar (12-oz) turkey gravy

Directions:

In a bowl, mix stuffing mix, celery, onion and poultry seasoning. Stir in broth to moisten and then stir in the cranberries.

Spoon half of the stuffing into cooker and sprinkle turkey with salt and pepper. Place over stuffing. Put remaining stuffing around the turkey.

Cover and cook on Low heat for 8 to 9 hours.

About 15 minutes before serving, remove turkey from cooker and keep warm. Stir stuffing and cooking juices until mixed. Cover and let stand about 10 minutes.

Heat gravy on stove.

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I cooked the turkey for 7 hours and it was great!

Peruvian Sudado De Pescado (Peruvian Fish Stew)

I was watching Martha Stewart yesterday and she was having her employees demonstrate their favorite recipes. This one girl showed off this fish/shrimp dish that look really easy, so I knew I'd found my dinner for the evening! I went to the store and bought ingredients, finding the LAST 2 Halibut filets. Overall it was a success. I think next time i might add Lime to the mixture because there was only a slight pepper flavor that didnt do much for me. I didnt read how to do the pepper paste until too late...i'd chopped up the peppers in a food processor already. So, i didnt add the paste..just threw in a spoon full of the chopped peppers. Might make a difference to make the paste next time.
Also, I changed 2 things. I used fozen corn instead of peas, because i already had those. And I used normal white potatoes because I dont think ive ever seen Blue potatoes in chicago, or the U.S for that matter. Peru, yes, and they are delicious!

Heres how to make the paste: http://canelaycomino.blogspot.com/2008/02/diy-aji-amarillo-paste.html

And here is the recipe from Martha Stewarts website: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/peruvian-sudado-de-pescado

Shrimp in Coconut Broth

I made this last night. The photo the cook posted of the dish is way more scrumptious than my photos, so just check out the link. I have to say this is one of the best meals I've ever made! It was 1. EASY and 2. Very authentic!
I was in Asia for a few months in 1998, and have never been able to quite duplicate the intricate flavors of the lovely dishes I remember. Last night I DID!!!!! You must try this.
One change, I left out the Mirin.
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2009/06/03/shrimp_in_coconut_milk_broth_recipe/

We had people over for dinner last night!

Fennel and Thyme.

I made a bunch of stuff. We had beef fondue with various dips and side dishes.
I found a bunch of fun sauces on this site:
http://www.bestfondue.com/fondue-dipping-sauce-recipes.html#tomatoginger

I made the curry, mushroom, and tomato/ginger sauces.
For side dishes I made this fennel salad that I will for sure make again, and boiled sweet potatoes.
Fennel salad: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/shaved_fennel_salad/ I used 3 fennel bulbs instead, and increased a few of the proportions.
Dessert was this Berry-Lime freeze I found on Martha Stewarts website: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/raspberry-lime-freeze?autonomy_kw=raspberry%20sorbet&rsc=image_1
I used Strawberries and strawberry sorbet because raspberries are not cheap these days! I also only used 2 cups of chopped strawberries instead of the 7 cups(!!!!!) they recommended. The Lime juice really made it! Was a hit. :)

Arugula Asparagus Pear Salad

Last night I was eyeing the items in my fridge, and I was bored. I usually grab asparagus to steam and serve as a side dish because it's easy. Last night I stared at the asparagus in the fridge and was going to gag if i served it steamed with butter, like I usually do. I needed something to go with steak and cous cous. So, instead, I made a salad with the asparagus! The result was great! I looked up a few salad recipes and came up with this, based on what I had in my fridge/pantry.
1 cup Arugula
1/2 a pear chopped
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 cap full(cap from the bottle) of sherry
1 cap full of balsamic vinegar
1 cap full of olive oil
1 tablespoon of grated lemon peel
About 10 steamed stalks, chopped, asparagus.

Mango Mojito Salsa

I had to bring a non-dessert to a party last week. Plantains and mangoes were on the brain, and I found the remedy to both cravings! I found this recipe on Food and Wine website: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/plantain-chips-with-chicken-and-mojito-mango-salsa
I didn't add the chicken though. I also put in a lot more ingredients than were asked for. Instead of one mango, i cut up about 14. I had 12 mint leaves I chopped up, and cut up an entire chili. I was left with lots of left overs! But it was really tasty!