Recipes
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.
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Prep time: 120 minutes
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Main Dish, Pork, VegetableUmami from the mushroom and spicy italian sausage blend to jazz up acorn squash in a single dish meal that is its own dish!
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Prep time: 90 minutes
Pressure Cooker Braised Short Ribs
Beef, Main DishA pressure cooker provides a fast way to perform a braise that would ordinarily take several hours and the braising liquid turns into a delicious pasta sauce
See recipe » Prep time: 60 minutes
Merlin's Jambalaya
American, Chicken, Main Dish, ShellfishCombine everything except the shrimp and rice in a pot. Simmer for at least an hour, or two.
Half an hour before serving, add the shrimp.
Cook the rice separately, just before serving, add the rice.
See recipe » Prep time: 30 minutes
Merlin's Cajun Prawns
Main Dish, ShellfishCombine all spices in a small bowl.
Melt butter in a skillet on high. When butter is mostly melted, drop in prawns and cover with spices. Stir-fry prawns for 3-4 minutes or until done. Remove from heat. Serve.
Optionally, double the butter and toss with noodles such as linguine.
See recipe » Prep time: 15 minutes
Chicken spice mix
Chicken, Main DishMix well and put in a shaker.
Cover one side of chicken with a spice mix. There's no salt (the brine has plenty). Place that side down on the grill and repeat on other side. Grill 3-4 minutes per side.
See recipe » Prep time: 60 minutes
Turkey Shepherd's Pie (Merlin's Modifications)
Main Dish, TurkeyPrepared mashed potatoes by first boiling the potatoes, then mashing them together with the sour cream, margarine, buttermilk and salt. Set aside.
In a pan, saute the onion, carrot and mushroom in the olive oil until everything is soft, and the mushrooms are cooked down a bit. Then add the turkey, and cook until it's brown. Add the thyem, rosemary, flour and salt; stir until the flour is fairly uniformly distributed into the mess. Add the broth, simmer until thickened.
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