Recipes
Prep time: 120 minutes
Merlin's Turkey Chili
Main Dish, TurkeyRinse and pick over the beans. Cook them in 4 cups of water for 1-2 hours until beans are grown to their full size and tender.
Combine the turkey, onions and garlic in a skillet and sear until the meat is lightly browned.
Transfer this mixture to a large pot, add the remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. I'm pretty sure sticking all this in a crockpot and cooking all day will net you a very nice chili.
See recipe » Prep time: 60 minutes
Spaghetti Bolognese
Main Dish, SauceCombine the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic, half the salt, and half the onion. Simmer over low heat for at least 30
minutes, but I find that the flavors are best if left to simmer for 3 hours. As near as I can tell you can let this simmer on the lowest heat you can give it all day and it will just get better and better.
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Prep time: 15 minutes
Fettucine in Tomato Cream Sauce
Italian, Main Dish, Pasta, Shellfish, Side DishSprinkle the prawns with the mixed chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and kosher salt. I realize I have no actual amounts here, but it's pretty much 'until it looks right'. Oh, cumin and/or mexican oregano would be good in that combination too. Probably chili powder will be the heaviest, but don't skimp on the salt.
Saute the prawns in 1/2 tbs butter, and be careful not to overcook them, lest they turn rubbery.
See recipe » Prep time: 80 minutes
Plum braised pork chops
Main Dish, PorkAn overnight brine ensures that these chops are incredibly tender. The jelly provides a sweet flavor which permeates really well into the fatty areas. These were a hit with everyone in the family, and Gramma even compared them to pork chops when she was a kid.
See recipe » Prep time: 15 minutes
Sauteed Dou Miao with Garlic
Chinese, Main Dish, VegetableHeat the wok to a good, hot wok temperature; the highest setting on your stovetop, or like I do, over the grill outside. (The burner from a turkey fryer is great for this).
Put the vegetable oil in the wok and get it hot. You can use about half the oil here if you want. Add the garlic and toss until fragrant. This will take less than 30 seconds, probably.
Add dou miao and salt in batches; let dou miao wilt slightly before adding more.
As moisture from the leaves evaporates, add water if necessary. (I haven't found it necessary to do so yet).
See recipe » Prep time: 15 minutes
Pizza Dough
Main DishCombine water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until the yeast is bubbling.
Stir in one cup of flour, then the olive oil and salt. Add another 4 1/2 c flour, mixing with a large spoon until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl and holds together.
Sprinkle the last 1/2 cup of flour on your kneading surface. Turn the dough out and knead it until it feels cohesive. Let it rest while you clean and grease the bowl for rising. Continue kneading until the dough is smooth and spongy.
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Prep time: 30-45 minutes
Merlin's Favorite Sloppy Joe
American, Main DishSloppy joes are traditionally kind of cheap tasting and overly salty and overly sweet, and messier than necessary. These sloppy joes have a bit of a tex mex flavor to them from the chili powder, and everyone in the house has to remind themselves that they're full, lest they go back for more. They're savory enough to make the adults happy while still being a fun food with a good texture for children.
See recipe » Prep time: 30-45 minutes
Merlin's Favorite Sloppy Joe
American, Main DishSloppy joes are traditionally kind of cheap tasting and overly salty and overly sweet, and messier than necessary. These sloppy joes have a bit of a tex mex flavor to them from the chili powder, and everyone in the house has to remind themselves that they're full, lest they go back for more. They're savory enough to make the adults happy while still being a fun food with a good texture for children.
See recipe » Prep time: 30-45 minutes
Merlin's Favorite Sloppy Joe
American, Main DishSloppy joes are traditionally kind of cheap tasting and overly salty and overly sweet, and messier than necessary. These sloppy joes have a bit of a tex mex flavor to them from the chili powder, and everyone in the house has to remind themselves that they're full, lest they go back for more. They're savory enough to make the adults happy while still being a fun food with a good texture for children.
See recipe » Prep time: 30-45 minutes
Merlin's Favorite Sloppy Joe
American, Main DishSloppy joes are traditionally kind of cheap tasting and overly salty and overly sweet, and messier than necessary. These sloppy joes have a bit of a tex mex flavor to them from the chili powder, and everyone in the house has to remind themselves that they're full, lest they go back for more. They're savory enough to make the adults happy while still being a fun food with a good texture for children.
See recipe »