SANDRA'S HEARTY LENTIL and SWEET POTATO STEW

A delicious and fulfilling stew
to prepare for your loved ones on a fall/winter day...

Yield: 8-10 Servings

Prep: 20 Mins.

Cook: Appx. 1-1/2 hrs.

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 TB canola oil

1 LB moose meat cut into bite-size pieces (or beef)

2 TB flour

6 cups beef broth

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

4 medium carrots, scrubbed and chopped

1 medium yellow onion, diced

My live rosemary plant
 (this is 1 of 3 that are thriving)...

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 (14.5-oz. can) diced tomatoes with juices

1 cup organic dry red lentils (*See note below)

1 TB chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dry cracked needles, or 1/2 tsp ground)

1 teaspoon of kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 ruby red sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 3/4" cubes

 

METHOD

 

Place a medium heavy-bottom pot over high heat and add the oil; wait until oil shimmers.  Add the meat, garlic powder and onion powder, and cook until meat is browned. Add the flour, cook 1 minute stirring constantly.  Add the broth and bring to a boil while scraping bits from bottom of pot, reduce heat to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.

 

Add the carrots, onion, celery, diced tomatoes, lentils, rosemary, salt and pepper. Bring stew to a boil, reduce heat to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes, while stirring at 10-minute intervals.

 

Add the sweet potato cubes, cover, and cook for a final 20 minutes, stirring at 10 minute intervals. Taste for seasonings, and add additional salt/pepper only if needed. ~ Enjoy!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(* Note: Place the 1 cup raw red lentils on a white plate to sort out any unwanted matter before adding them to the pot of stew, just the same as you would do with dry beans before cooking them.)

SANDRA'S ALASKA HEARTY FALL VEGETABLE LASAGNA (Downsized)

You'll never miss the meat with this hearty veggie lasagna,
it's full-flavored and scrumptious,
especially when served with sides of
warm and crispy garlic bread
and a garden salad tossed with a freshly made vinaigrette...

Servings: (4-6)

Prep: 20 Mins.

Bale: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

White Sauce

1-1/2 cup 2% low-fat small curd cottage cheese

2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan, plus more for topping

1 large egg, beaten

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon dry onion granules

2 tablespoons freshly julienned basil (from my garden)

1 teaspoon dry Italian herb blend

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Pasta

10 Curly Edged dry pasta noodles, broke in half and cooked according to pkg directions (only for 12 minutes)

--drain, then pull apart using tongs to cool slightly

Sautéed Vegetable mixture

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

4 mini bell peppers: 2 orange, 2 red, diced (from my garden)

1/4 yellow onion, diced

2 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced into 1/4" half moons

1/2 teaspoon garlic granules

Pinch of kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Shredded Cheese Mixture

2 cups shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese

Marinara

4 cups marinara sauce (either your favorite store bought, or my homemade recipe; CLICK LINK)

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350F. Set aside an 8x8" square glass baking dish, including a baking sheet to set it on top of while baking (to prevent potential spillage).

In a medium bowl, combine all of the white sauce ingredients; set aside.

Prepare the pasta, as directed above.

In a large non-stick skillet, add the olive oil and heat to medium-high heat. Add all the ingredients and sauté for 7 to 9 minutes, just until the onions are translucent but not browned. Remove from heat to slightly cool.

To arrange the lasagna, add enough marinara to cover bottom of baking dish.  Lay a layer of lasagna noodles, overlapping slightly to cover marinara.  Add enough marinara to cover noodle layer.  Add 1/3 of the sauce mixture, 1/3 of the cheeses, and 1/3 of the vegetable mixture. Repeat laying from the noodles in the opposite direction 1 more time.

To finish, topping off, add the final layer of the vegetable mixture, the remaining cheeses, then top by drizzling 4 strips of marinara across the top (as in photo), then sprinkle the marinara strips with parmesan.

Bake for 40 minutes covered, topped with parchment then foil, for 40 minutes. Uncover (save the parchment and foil to store in frig later if you have leftovers), then continue baking for 20 minutes until top cheesy portions turn golden brown and delicious. Let stand, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes to set prior portioning out and serving.~ Enjoy!

SANDRA'S ALASKAN HEARTY MOOSE LASAGNA

I created this lasagna recipe

using ingredients I had on hand this morning.

It turned out fabulous just in time for lunch!

We'll be enjoying this for dinner as well...

Servings: (12)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake: 1 Hr.

Let Stand: 15 Mins.

INGREDIENTS:

Moose meat sauce: 
--(When using no-boil lasagna noodles, it's imperative that the sauce be thinner than normal so the correct lasagna consistency is achieved):

1 lb. extra-lean moose burger 

--(or other types of meat, although drain after browning if non-extra-lean burger is not used)

1/4 cup finely chopped sweet onion

1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped button mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

1/2 teaspoon granulated onion

2 teaspoons balsamic

1 teaspoon worcestershire

2 teaspoons amber agave

1 (24 oz jar) Newman's Own Organic Tomato Basil marinara sauce

1/4 cup water (to rinse marinara jar, as this sauce is rather thick)

1 (15. oz. can) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained

Cheeses:

4 cups shredded fiesta blend cheese, divided

1 (15 oz. container) ricotta

1/4 cup finely shredded fresh parmesan, plus more for final topping

Pasta:

12 no-boil lasagna pasta sheets

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Set aside a 9x12" glass baking dish sprayed with oil, and place atop a slightly larger foil-lined baking sheet.

Moose meat sauce:

In a medium saucepan over medium high-heat, brown the burger half way about 3 minutes. Add the onion, bell pepper and onions and cook for 3 minutes. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and bring to boil; reduce heat to simmer, cover, and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, and set aside.

Cheeses:

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, gently combine 2 cups of fiesta blend cheese, ricotta and parmesan. Set aside, along with remaining 2 cups of fiesta blend cheese.

Pasta:

Lay out no-boil lasagna sheets; set aside.

ASSEMBLY:

Lightly cover bottom of prepared glass baking dish with a bit of sauce.

Then begin layering with 3 sheets of no-boil pasta, 3/4 cup of sauce, 3/4 cup of cheese mixture; repeat 3 times.

Final layer: Place 3 sheets of no-boil pasta, the remaining sauce, and top with reserved 2 cups of fiesta cheese, including a final sprinkling of parmesan.

Assembled lasagna, ready for the oven...

BAKE:

Cover baking dish with foil (sprayed underneath with oil to prevent cheese from sticking while baking). Bake for 45 minutes.  Remove foil and continue baking for 15 minutes, until lasagna is bubbly and golden on top. 

Remove lasagna from oven and let stand on wire rack, uncovered, for 15 minutes prior to slicing. Serve lasagna with your favorite dressed garden salad. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA'S WHOLESOME PINTO BEAN AND HAM SOUP

The perfect hot bean and vegetable soup
on a snowy Alaska winter night...

Servings: (8 to 10)

Prep: 10 mins. |

Cook: Appx. 2 hrs.

INGREDIENTS

-1 (16 oz. pkg.) dried pinto beans

-6 cups water

-6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

-1 tablespoon cider vinegar

-2 heaping teaspoons brown sugar

-2 cups cooked ham, cubed

--(or 2 *smoked ham hocks, or *ham bone with meat on it, or a ring of smoked sausage)

-1 lg. carrot, scrubbed, and chopped

-2 ribs celery, chopped

-½ onion, diced

-1 russet potato (or sweet potato), peeled and chopped

-1 garlic clove, minced

-1 bay leaf

-1/8 teaspoon each: dried oregano, basil, and thyme

-1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

--(I do not add any salt due to the saltiness of the ham)

-Dash of hot sauce

METHOD

Spread the dried pinto beans out on a baking sheet and pick through them; toss any unwanted matter, then rinse beans in a colander. In a large dutch oven (or heavy-bottom soup pot), bring pinto beans and water to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to simmer and par cook for 1 hour. 

Drain beans in colander, and return to dutch oven. Add broth, cider vinegar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes; stirring occasionally. 

Add remaining ingredients, cover, and simmer for 30 additional minutes, until vegetables and beans are tender. 

Remove bay leaf, and toss. Taste for seasoning, and add more broth or water if a thinner consistency is desired.

Serve with hot wheat rolls or crusty slices of French bread. ~ Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Tip: If using smoked ham hocks or ham bone with meat on it, add at the beginning of the bean cooking process, and remove after 1 hour to pull meat from hocks or bone, cube (when draining beans), and return to pot when adding vegetables.

SANDRA’S OLD-FASHIONED MEATY BOSTON BAKED BEANS

These old-fashioned meaty baked beans
are great with fresh cornbread,
and although you need to allow time
for soaking and simmering the beans,
this recipe is quite easy...

Servings: (6 to 8)

Quick Soak: 1 Hour.

Simmer: 1 Hour

Bake: 4 Hours

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. pinto beans

1 lb. venison/moose/beef, cut into cubes (I used venison)

1 onion, diced

2 ribs celery, diced

2 carrots, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 bay leaf

1/3 cup molasses

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 (15 oz. can) tomato sauce

2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

Pinch of ground cloves

Pinch of ground cinnamon

METHOD

Sort and rinse beans, and ‘quick soak’ by covering them with 10 cups water in a dutch oven, bring to boil and turn off heat and let soak, covered, for 1 hour. Bring the beans to a boil once again in the same water, and reduce and let simmer for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, sear the venison in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, and set aside.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Add the remaining ingredients and seared meat to the dutch oven; stir to incorporate, cover, and bake for 4 hours, or until beans are tender.  Remove the lid about halfway through cooking to stir, and add more liquid if necessary to prevent the beans from becoming too dry.  Remove bay leaf, and toss. ~ Enjoy!

Click  below for recipe 
if you'd like to serve
your baked beans with 
Sandra's Ideal Pepper-Jack Cheese Cornbread

SANDRA’S HEARTY N' HEALTHY MOOSE GARDEN STEW

An incredible stew and oh so comforting on
this slightly chilly autumn day
in Juneau, Alaska...

Servings: (6)

Prep:  10 Mins. |
Stew: 2 Hrs. 15 Mins.

Posted by Sandra 

INGREDIENTS

***Meat and spices:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb. moose meat, trimmed and cut into ½” cubes (or venison, or beef)
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups low-sodium beef stock
2 cups hot water
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1  organic bay leaf
½ teaspoon organic dried basil
½ teaspoon organic dried oregano
3 teaspoons worcestershire

***Veggies:

1 (15 oz. can) diced fire-roasted tomatoes, with juices
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
½ yellow onion, chopped
½ red bell pepper, chopped
1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and ribs removed, and very finely chopped (retain seeds/ribs for spicier stew)

***More Veggies, and Slurry:

4 crimini mushrooms, thickly sliced
1 unpeeled zucchini, quartered lengthwise and chopped
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons sherry

METHOD

Heat a 6 qt.-saucepot with olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add the moose meat and cook until browned, stirring often.  Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.  Add the remaining meat/spice ingredients, and bring to boil.  Cover, and reduce to low and let simmer for 1 hr. and 30 minutes. 

Add the first set of veggies to the saucepot, and bring to boil.  Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes.

Add the additional set of veggies to pot.  Whisk the cornstarch and sherry together in a small bowl until smooth, then slowly add to stew while stirring, and bring to boil.  Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for a 10 final minutes.  Remove from heat, toss bay leaf, and serve. – Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tip:  I prefer to serve this Hearty N Healthy Garden Moose Stew with warm cornbread muffins, biscuits, rolls, or focaccia bread (Click on respective links for each recipe).

SANDRA’S HEARTY SLOW-COOKER VENISON ROAST DINNER

This roast literally cuts with a fork, 
which I've shown in the photograph 
while lifting it up from the serving platter 
to cut into slices - it turns out 
moist and delicious every time...

Serves: (6)
Prep: 20 Mins. |
Slow Cooker: 8 Hrs.

Posted by Sandra

***Note: I take my venison roast out of the refrigerator 1 hour beforehand to come to room temperature prior to searing***

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon peanut oil
--(high smoke point, needed for searing); plus for brushing on roast
1 (3 lb.) venison roast (moose, or beef, buffalo, or pork)
2 large garlic cloves, cut lengthwise into quarters
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4" cubes
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 (15 oz. cans) diced tomatoes, with juices
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
½ teaspoon dried sage
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

-- Prepared steamed Basmati Rice

METHOD

Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dry the venison roast with paper towels. Using a paring knife, cut eight random slits into various areas of roast, and insert a slivers of garlic into each. Brush the roast with peanut oil (for seasoning to adhere), and sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground pepper, and sear in the piping hot skillet until golden brown on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes at a time.

While the venison roast is searing, add the potatoes, and onions to the cold slow cooker. Put the seared venison roast on top of the them, and place the carrots and celery around roast, including adding the remaining ingredients directly on top of roast. Cover, and turn the slow cooker on high for 30 minutes, and then to low for 7.5 hours.

Remove the cooked venison roast to a serving platter, and spoon the vegetable/sauce mixture around it; serving with steamed rice along side. – Enjoy!

SANDRA’S VENISON TEX-MEX CHILI with PREMIUM CORNBREAD MUFFINS

This is a Tex-Mex version using
some of their unique spices,
which adds to this a very
hearty and robust chili...

I found that my photo and recipe are featured @
http://pinterest.com/pin/121386152426146053/

Servings: (6)
Prep: 10 Mins. |
Cook: 50 Mins.

Posted: by Sandra at

INGREDIENTS

4 bacon strips, cut into 1/2 " slices
1 lb. lean venison burger
½ spanish onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 (14.5 oz. can) stewed tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz. can) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (16 oz. can) chili beans, undrained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1 carrot, shredded
½ cup celery, chopped
½ red bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (Or more if you like it spicier)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon unsweetened Hershey’s Cocoa Powder
½ tablespoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

***Toppings (Optional):
--Cheddar Cheese, shredded
--Jarred and sliced pickled jalapeno peppers

METHOD

Heat a dutch oven, or large heavy-bottom pot, to medium-high heat, and brown the bacon until crisp, and set aside, while reserving drippings. Add the venison burger and brown in drippings, and when it’s about ¾ the way cooked through, add the onions and saute just until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients, except the bacon and fresh cilantro, and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook, covered, while occasionally stirring for 50 minutes.

Premium Cornbread
Muffins

Meanwhile, begin preparing the Premium Cornbread Muffins about 20 minutes before Venison Tex-Mex Chili is scheduled to be done, if making...(as they take about 15 minutes to bake).

-- Premium Cornbread Muffins - For recipe, click here: Sandra's Premium Cornbread Muffins)


After the Venison Tex-Mex Chili has cooked for 50 minutes, stir in the fresh cilantro, and crispy bacon.

To serve, ladle the Venison Tex-Mex Chili into soup mugs placed in the center of a plate, and place Premium Cornbread Muffins around parameter. (Top the Venison Tex-Mex Chili with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced pickled jalapenos, if using). - Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tip:  This is just as fantastic using any other type of lean ground meat or poultry as well!

MAX'S HEARTY SPAGHETTI DINNER with CAESAR SALAD - [Updated as of 10-6-10]

Max makes this when he's out fishing for his crew
and at home at least every two weeks...it's his infamous
staple meal in our home...

Servings (8)
Prep: 10 mins.|
Cook/Simmer: 2 hours

Posted by Max via Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. spaghetti noodles
Garlic bread
--(Max purchases his from Fred Meyer Bakery)


***Sauce:
1 lb. beef/moose/venison burger
1/2 lb. moose breakfast sausage (Jerry’s Meats processes his)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup celery, finely chopped
½ red bell pepper finely chopped
1/3 red onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon sweet basil
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ cup Heinz ketchup
2 (15 oz. cans) tomato sauce
1 (15 oz. can) italian stewed tomatoes, mashed in a small bowl (do not drain)
2 teaspoons italian seasoning
2 bay leafs
1 handful of parsley, roughly chopped

***Garnish:
Freshly grated parmesan cheese

*** Caesar Salad:
- Romaine lettuce, torn
- Marie’s caesar salad dressing (his fav.)
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Bacon bits
- Seasoned croutons
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

METHOD

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the burger and sausage cooking until lightly browned; toss in all the vegetables and seasonings (except the fresh parsley). Add the ketchup, tomato sauce, and broken up italian stewed tomatoes with juices, stirring to combine. Cover skillet, and reduce heat to simmer, cooking sauce low and slow for 2 hours, while stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, about 20 minutes before sauce is done, begin cooking spaghetti according to directions, and toss garlic bread into oven shortly thereafter and also cooking it according to directions.

For the salad, tear the romaine lettuce into a large bowl, add your desired amount of ‘Marie’s’ caesar salad dressing, and freshly grated parmesan; tossing to combine.  Add bacon bits, seasoned croutons, and freshly ground pepper; tossing just before serving.

Add freshly chopped parsley to the spaghetti sauce, and stir to combine.

Max serves his spaghetti sauce over noodles family style, with a small bowl of freshly grated parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top, if  desired.  He places slices of garlic bread, including a mound of caesar salad along side, + a nice glass of red wine. - Enjoy!

SANDRA'S ROASTED ASPARAGUS SOUP with GREMOLATA

A perfect first course...

Servings: (2)

Prep: 5 Mins. |
Roast: 30 to 35 Mins. |
Cook 3 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Gremolata

1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped

1 teaspoon lemon peel, grated

1 small garlic clove, grated

2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

Asparagus, onions, and garlic
ready for roasting

***Roasted Asparagus Soup:

1 bunch size pinky-sized asparagus, cut into 2” pieces

1 medium white onion, peeled and cut into wedges

1 garlic clove, cut in half lengthwise
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil, and set aside. Whisk together gremolata ingredients in a small bowl, and set aside as well.

Finished roasted asparagus,
onion, and garlic

Add asparagus, onions, and halved garlic clove pieces to a medium bowl, and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt, and ground pepper, to taste. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes while using tongs to toss every 10 minutes, while roasting. Roast just until asparagus pieces are crisp-tender and slightly browned, and onions and garlic begin to caramelize.

Carefully add hot vegetables to blender using tongs. Add ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup chicken broth, and puree until smooth. Transfer to medium saucepan, and warm soup over medium heat; thinning with more broth, if need be. Taste for seasonings, adding additional kosher salt and ground pepper to taste, if necessary.

Ladle soup into bowls, and drizzle with gremolata; serve hot, warm, or cold. – Enjoy!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tip: I like to serve this soup with a warm french baguette that I bake along with the roasted veggies. Also, if you are using thicker asparagus you’ll need to increase the roasting time.

SANDRA'S SUPER BREAKFAST BURRITO

A hearty and delicious breakfast to prepare for your
family when you're all on-the-run...

My recipe of this burrito was featured on 1-16-11 @
http://paper.li/tortillaland/1302552605

Servings: (2)
Prep: 5 Mins. |
Cook 10 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 medium russet baked potato (*See below)
2 strips quality bacon, browned and crumbled
2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red bell pepper, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons medium cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or cilantro is my preference at times)
2 (10”) flour tortilla shells
-- Taco sauce (for dipping) – or feel free to make: (Sandra's Homemade Mexican Salsa)

METHOD

Prepare a plate by lining only half with paper towel, and set aside.

Scrub an unpeeled potato, and pierce it with a paring knife, and then microwave on high for 4 minutes. Carefully remove potato (it’ll be hot) and cut in half lengthwise and allow it to cool by setting it aside.

Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, and brown the bacon, until crispy, (reserving drippings) and place cooked bacon on paper-towel lined portion of plate for later chopping into crunchy crisps.

Peel and chop the baked potato into ¼” cubes and add to skillet, along with red onion, and red bell pepper, kosher salt and ground pepper, sautéing just until onions are translucent, and then remove mixture to other half of plate.

Reduce heat under skillet to low. Add the crunchy bacon crisps to the beaten eggs, and scramble in skillet, and remove from heat.

While the heat is on low, toss a tortilla directly onto burner, until slightly browned and bubbly, about 30 seconds per side, and repeat with remaining tortilla. Place each tortilla on a serving plate and evenly fill with the scrambled eggs, potato/vegetable mixture, and then sprinkle with cheddar cheese and fresh basil (or cilantro). Roll each tortilla up; cut them diagonally in half, and serve with taco sauce or homemade salsa. – Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Tip: I always have a baked potato or two wrapped in foil on-hand in the refrigerator after microwaving them, which are quick to eat alone, or to prepare in recipes such as this.

SANDRA'S WHITE BEAN VENISON CHILI

A superbly delicious chili you'll be making over-n-over again...
--Wow, I have never seen one of my recipes 
reworked such as this @ 
http://www.fast-and-easy-recipes.com/
venison-and-beans-recipe/

Servings: (6)
Prep: 15 Mins. |
Cook: 45 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. lean venison burger (or lean ground beef, if you prefer)
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1-1/2 tablespoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup bottled chili sauce (for homemade recipe click here: Homemade Chili Sauce)
1 (15 oz. can) white beans with juice
1 (14.5 oz. can) diced tomatoes
1 (14 oz. can) tomato sauce

***Garnish:
--shredded cheddar cheese
-- jarred pickled jalapeno slices

METHOD:

Heat the dutch oven to medium-high heat, add the olive oil and venison burger and brown. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover and let simmer while occasionally stirring for a minimum of 45 minutes if you like your vegetables with a bit of a crunch, or as long as 2 hrs.

To serve, ladle chili into a soup mug, and generously sprinkle with cheddar cheese, and then top with a couple of pickled jalapeno slices – enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Premium cornbread Muffins

Tip: I also like to serve the White Bean Venison Chili with a side of hot cornbread spread with butter - Click here for recipe: (Premium Cornbread Muffins)

SANDRA'S HEARTY CAMP BREAKFAST

Children truly enjoy helping prepare
 this recipe. It is a very fun weekend-breakfast
 to involve your family in making,
and then savoring the rewards afterwards...

Servings: (6)

Prep: 15 Mins. | Bake: 15 Mins.
Posted: by Sandra at

--Equipment: Nonstick 12-tin muffin pan

INGREDIENTS

***First set of 6 tins:
1 lg. russet potato, pre-baked, cooled, and shredded
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
ground pepper, to taste
3 slices of bacon, cooked, and crumbled (reserve bacon drippings)
6 eggs

***Remaining set of 6 tins:
1 (8.5 oz.) box jiffy corn muffin mix
1 egg, beaten
1 (10 oz.) can of mexican corn, drained
1 (4.5 oz.) can of mild diced green chilies, drained
¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/3 cup of milk

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, brown the bacon, and cut into crumbles, and set aside. With a paper towel, grease the muffin tins well with reserved bacon drippings.

Shred the potato and place equally amongst the first six tins by pressing into bottom and sides to form cup shapes, and then lightly sprinkle potato cups with onion powder, and ground pepper to taste. Sprinkle bacon equally in the potato cups, and then gently drop in one egg on each.

For the remaining six tins, mix all cornbread ingredients in a medium bowl, and let batter stand for 5 minutes. Equally spoon the cornbread batter into remaining empty six tins.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until cornbread is done (when a toothpick inserted comes out clean) - enjoy!


~~~~~~~~~~~

Tip: Bake potato ahead of time by scrubbing and piercing it, and place on a microwave-safe dish, and then cook on high for 5 minutes in microwave, letting it cool, and then store in refrigerator until ready to use. You can also prepare the bacon before hand to save even more time, and store in the refrigerator as well ~~ I generally added a bit of shredded gruyere cheese on the outer rim of the egg before baking tins...so the yolks still take center stage -- mmmm...another option.

MAX’S RUSTIC ALASKA “CAMP” MOOSE STEW

Max often prepares this rustic and comforting stew 
during hunting trips for his buddies, 
on our F/V Chelsey for deckhands,
and at home for us.  
It's nothing short of incredible...

Servings (4)
Prep: 10 mins. |
Cook: 1 hr. and
45 mins. total stewing time

INGREDIENTS

· 1 lb. moose sirloin, cut into ½ cubes (or venison, or beef)
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 2 (15 oz. cans) beef broth
· ¼ onion, chopped
· 1 cup celery, chopped
· 4 carrots chopped
· 1 garlic clove, minced
· 1 (15 oz. can) Italian stewed tomatoes – retain juice, and break up tomatoes in a small bowl
· 1 pkg. dry pork gravy mix (mixed with 1 cup of water)
· 1 tablespoon worcestershire
· 2 teaspoons soy sauce
· Freshly ground pepper, to taste
· 1 russet potato, peeled, and cut ½" cubes (keep in cold water to prevent browning)
· ½ cup frozen peas
· ½ cup frozen corn
· 1 cup frozen broccoli, roughly chopped

METHOD

Heat a dutch oven, or heavy-bottom soup pot, to medium-high heat. Coat the moose meat cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add to hot pot and sear meat to a light brown. Add beef broth and bring to boil while scraping bits off bottom of pot, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer moose meat on low for 1 hour.

Add onion, celery, carrots, garlic, stewed tomatoes, gravy mixed with water, worcestershire, soy sauce, and pepper to pot. Turn heat to medium-high just to bring stew to boiling, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add the potatoes, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the peas, corn, and broccoli and simmer for 10 final minutes. - Enjoy!