Welcome to the frozen tundra of the South and Midwest. Brrrrr.
I know my friends in Connecticut and Minnesota are just laughing at us. But, honestly, we are just not equipped. Unless…it’s on the ski slope…in skiwear…with the only transportation we need in a ski lift!
I mean. A flake falls. We hibernate. Plain and simple.
Oh, but we cook as well. We may not have made cinnamon rolls or hot chocolate all winter, but when the snow falls, we stockpile those ingredients. Gotta’ fatten up cause, gosh darn it, we’re about to become human popsicles!
Me, I dig out the slow cooker. It’s not because I don’t have the time on a snowed-in day (even though I’m not, technically, snowbound with this latest winter event); it’s about the homey warmth that comes with the preparation and the smells that fill the house.
Spicy Sausage, Barley and Mushroom Stew is filling and rather light in calories. Plus, it uses one of the most nutrient-dense whole grains that is just full of fiber.
(Recipe courtesy of Cooking Light.)
Spicy Sausage, Barley and Mushroom Stew (adapted for the slow cooker)
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cps thinly sliced onion
8 ounces spicy Italian turkey sausage
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup sliced carrot
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
5 cups thinly sliced shitake mushroom caps
1 1/2 cups chopped portobello mushrooms
1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley
3 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 Tablespoons brandy
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 cps thinly sliced onion
8 ounces spicy Italian turkey sausage
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup sliced carrot
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
5 cups thinly sliced shitake mushroom caps
1 1/2 cups chopped portobello mushrooms
1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley
3 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 Tablespoons brandy
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook 5 minutes or until tender. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage to pan; cook 8 minutes or until sausage is browned, stirring to crumble. Cook about 10 minutes or until onions are golden brown. Add mixture to the slow cooker. Add celery, carrot, garlic and bay leaf.
Stir in mushrooms. Stir in broth, brandy, salt and pepper.
Stir in mushrooms. Stir in broth, brandy, salt and pepper.
Cook on LOW 6-8 hours.
Meanwhile, prepare barley according to package directions. About 15 minutes before serving, add the barley to the soup mixture. Discard the bay leaf. Sprinkle with parsley.
Thanks so much for joining me this week. I look forward to what you have to say. Be sure to link up a favorite with Mister Linky below.
18 comments:
What a super recipe for a cold winter's night {we too are experiencing tundra like conditions}.... and I love that it's "light" as I'm still fighting the weight gain from the holidays. :-)
The stew looks great! Thanks!
We're expecting a ton of snow overnight and tomorrow. I also love cooking in the crock on cold snowy days. The Braised Chicken and Potatoes is perfect for such a day.
Thanks for hosting!!
Debbie, thanks for hosting Crock Pot Wednesday. I love that Cooking Light recipe that you posted. Delicious flavors!
Yum, this looks good. I hope that you guys are doing okay. My family in NY hasn't quite gotten hit yet but they are hoping to miss the ice storm that is passing by.
Thanks for hosting. I shared two recipes this week...both are perfect for a SuperBowl Party!
Wendy
Around My Family Table
Thanks for visiting my blog! Your stew sounds DELICIOUS. I definitely need to use my crockpot more often - will have to try this one out!
Debbie,
This looks so yummy, I wish my hubby and kids would eat this however my hubby is picky picky. I feel ya on the snow, we are in north texas and we are iced in and I am working from home. Fun - not
Jessica
This is my first week for Crock Pot Wednesday! This sounds like so much fun and I'm going to be more creative next week. :-) Thank you for hosting!
This sounds like it will be sooo good. I'm glad I rss'd you blog. My slow cooker is getting quite a workout.
My crockpots get a lot of use in my kitchen and I love getting new recipe ideas from your blog. I've chosen you as one of my fellow bloggers that I want to pass on the Stylish Blogger Award to! Stop by http://catberner.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/stylish-me/ to pick up your award :)
Hi Debbie,
We will just love your Spicy Sausage Barley and Mushroom Stew, it looks so good. Thank you so much for bringing it over to Full Plate Thursday for us to enjoy. You have a great week end and please come back!
Hi Debbie,I noticed that other's had brought things to you that were not Crock Pot, so I brought you my Herb Roasted Chicken With Winter Vegetables. I hope that is ok...if it is I can bring something every week, I just don't always have something in the Crock Pot just let me know. Thanks for hosting and have a great week end.
Yum!! I'm a new follower.
http://moogieland.blogspot.com/
Hello! I'm your newest follower from Blog Hop Friday. I'd love for you to consider following me back.
Malia
www.yesterdayontuesday.com
Hi Debbie,
I just found your recipe through another party, I believe and submitted my crockpot recipe here. You can tell that I am a newcomer since I entered my actual name instead of the name of the dish like everyone else did! :) Well, I guess I will learn as I go.
Since one of the things I want to do more is to use my slowcooker more this year, I will try to join you on Wednesdays:)
Sounds delicious. Bet it kept you warm and cozy!
Hi Debbie: Thanks so much for stopping in to visit. I'm happy to find you--especially looking forward to crockpot recipes. It's a tool that I have definitely under utilized! I've never "linked" to anything because I don't know how--really much take some time and figure it all out!
Best,
Bonnie
Post a Comment