I think you should add a sliced apple or ½ cup applesauce to that sauerkraut to smooth the sharp flavor. For those who like a BBQ-flavored meal: 2 cups dried lentils, well rinsed, stones removed. ½ cup minced fresh onion optional: 1 carrot minced or grated 1 clove garlic, minced or smashed [or 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic] 2 cans [or 1 heaping quart fresh] diced tomatoes, including the juice 2+ cups water ¾ cup [or more] tomato-y BBQ sauce such as BullsEye. 5 chicken boullion cubes dissolved in 1 cup water [or 1 can chicken stock] -- or not: the chicken just adds a bit of flavor to the lentils. My crockpot is extremely slow to heat, so I usually dump everything into a regular pot, adding enough more water to cover the lentil mixture. Over medium heat, bring lentils to a gentle boil while the crockpot heats. As soon as both pot and lentils are hot [20 minutes or so], transfer the lentils into the crockpot. Check every couple hours, if needed, add more water to cover. Cook on high until tender [4 to 6 hours] and then on low until you are ready to eat. If you like a very BBQ-y taste, add more sauce to taste, and then serve mixture over cooked rice. I serve with cornbread on one side and a crisp salad on the other side; chocolate mousse or lime cloud-pie make a good dessert. For a skillet meal, spray large frypan with 1 tablespoon oil, sprinkle heavily with garlic powder plus ½ teaspoon salt. Brown porkchops on both sides. Lift chops out and cover pan bottom with sliced (¼") redskin potatoes, cover with paperthin onion rings, put chops on top, add enough water or chicken broth to be about ¼" deep. Put lid on pan and simmer until potatoes are tender (about 20 mins). Serve with steamed broccoli or a hot wilted spinach salad. A fruit dessert such as peach cobbler or strawberry pie goes well.

The longer the better for carmelizing. Mmm. NOT early in the morning though. I agree it's a bit much for morning coffee. It still lingered in the air the night i made it. Here's a good recipe. 2 lbs onions (red or sweet), sliced thin;  2 tbs extra virgin olive oil;  6 cups rich beef stock;  ¼ cup unsalted butter;  2 bay leaves;  1 tsp sugar;  1 tsp whole black peppercorns;  ½ cup brandy (optional);  ½ lb gruyere cheese;  1 loaf of crusty Italian or French bread. In a large heavy bottomed skillet heat the butter and oil until it just begins to brown on medium high heat. Add the sliced onions and stir them to coat with the butter and oil. Sprinkle the sugar on top and stir to incorporate sugar. Cook the onions until caramelized to a dark golden brown. That process will take approximately 30 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the brandy (if you omit the brandy deglaze the pan with some of the beef stock). Transfer the mixture to a soup pot and add the beef stock, peppercorns and bay leaf. Allow to simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes to an hour. Ladle the soup into oven safe bowls or crocks. Submerge a well toasted piece of bread in each bowl and cover with the cheese. Put the cheese covered bowl under the broiler until the cheese melts and is browned to the desired level. -by Den on Chowhound

A friend made this for us and it was so good I asked for the recipe. It's very unusual as the meat is browned, then marinated, then cooked. Her modifications are included: (MODIFIED) Braised Short Ribs for 4 people For the Marinade: 2 tablespoons peanut oil 6 (10-ounce) beef short ribs or 5 lb chuck roast at least 2" thick Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (1 cup) 1 carrot, chopped (1 cup) 2 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup) 3 cloves garlic 1 bottle dry red wine, preferably Merlot or Zinfandel 1 small bunch fresh thyme For the Braise: 1 pkg Knorr vegetable soup, reconstituted with 3 cups water and simmered 15 min. 1 small bunch fresh thyme For the marinade: Brown the roast or short ribs. Place bone side in container just large enough to hold the meat in a single layer. To the same skillet, add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and golden, 20 to 30 minutes. Add the wine and thyme. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 10 minutes. Let cool for 1/2 hr. Pour over the meat. Cover, and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning meat at least once. 4. For the braise: Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large Dutch-oven, have the soup stock at a boil, and add the marinade liquid. Bring to a boil again and taste for seasoning. Add salt, pepper, and some brown sugar if too tart.. Place the meat in the Dutch-oven and pour the liquid over it. 5. Cover, and transfer to oven. Cook for 3 hours. Uncover, and check for tenderness Meat should be falling off the bones and well glazed. Cook uncovered if you want to reduce gravy further. Her note: The recipe calls for six 10oz ribs (1 per person). That would total 3.75 lbs, for 6. I got 5.5 lbs for 5, and had leftovers for a couple of meals for myself. Increase other ingredients proportionately. For my 5.5 lbs, I also used about 2 Tbsp each of tomato paste & harissa, in the last half-hour. The other thing it doesn't mention which I did was to trim off pretty much all the fat on the outside of the ribs. I also cooked it much longer than the original recipe called for (90 min just wasn't long enough). Note: These recipes have been adapted from "Craft of Cooking" by Tom Colicchio. Copyright ° 2003 by Tom Colicchio.

I have a few crockpot recipes that I enjoy but I'm trying to select a few that I think may seem "healthier" than others! Posted by: rider (My Page) on Tue, Oct 28, 03 at 9:18 Turkey breast. I throw mine in with chicken broth, some butter, olive oil, spices, carrots, celery. Black beans sometimes. Despite the disaster with rice in my last episode, the meat comes out great. Like Annie, I shred it for burritos, etc. Chicken Cacciatore (crockpot) #30569 by dallice (see my other recipes) posted on Jun 8, 2002 (4 reviews) My husband loves chicken cacciatore, I did not. Not until I came up with this recipe. Quick and easy, and the crock pot is very convenient. The leftovers are great too! 7-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs 1 (15.00 ounces) can diced peeled tomatoes 1 can tomato paste 1 (14.50 ounces) can tomato sauce 2 (2.25 ounces) cans mushrooms, stems & pieces 1 can sliced olives 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes 2 teaspoons dried parsley 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon thyme 2 teaspoons italian seasoning 1 tablespoon sugar 1. Clean any unwanted fat from chicken pieces. 2. Add all ingredients to crock pot, mix well, making sure chicken is covered. 3. Cover and cook for 7 to 9 hours. 4. Serve over pasta, or for a delicious change try mashed potatoes. 5. Add a green salad. 6. It's dinner! CROCK POT BEANS Posted by: Kevin_S (My Page) on Mon, Apr 28, 03 at 21:27 Woodie, no real recipe. Dried beans of your choice, soaked overnight; cranberry, lima-yummmmm, marrow, great northern, pinto, ect. An onion, chopped, A rounded tablespoon of bacon fat or Crisco, Some sea salt and some fresh ground pepper. Dump it all in a crock pot with enough water (spring) to more than cover beans.....set on low. No need for ham or anything unless you want some in there. Takes an hour or two to come up to heat....best if cooked 5 or 6 hours.