The lot of us have been brought low by Cedar Fever. The effects are so bad, I'm unsurprised at the existence of such sites as The People Against Cedars. While many folks maintain that Cedar Fever doesn't usually consist of actual fever, the fact that every few years I am treated to a clammy series of hot flashes along with the typical hay fever symptoms either makes me special or them wrong.
My friend Aaron and I have a friendly, unspoken game of dueling stews going on. He is a bit of a crock pot fiend, and I have made no secret of my love for soups and stews. Frequently, he'll mention a soup he's made recently, listing a handful of basic ingredients, and I'll make my own version a week or so later, after mulling it over a bit.
Recently, he brought over some pork and mango stew. It was good, but it definitely got me thinking. One of our families favorite local retreats is Fredericksburg, Texas. When we go, we always take the long way (north up 71 and cutting through the Hill Country), past a slew of vineyards and a flower farm. We are in love with the furniture artisans up there, and who doesn't like a giant plate of schnitzel?
So I made my version; a combination of classic German flavors mingled with Tex-Mex flavors. Basically, everything fantastic about the Hill Country.
I top mine with Queso Fresco and french fried onions, because anything is a vehicle for cheese and fried onions.
My friend Aaron and I have a friendly, unspoken game of dueling stews going on. He is a bit of a crock pot fiend, and I have made no secret of my love for soups and stews. Frequently, he'll mention a soup he's made recently, listing a handful of basic ingredients, and I'll make my own version a week or so later, after mulling it over a bit.
Recently, he brought over some pork and mango stew. It was good, but it definitely got me thinking. One of our families favorite local retreats is Fredericksburg, Texas. When we go, we always take the long way (north up 71 and cutting through the Hill Country), past a slew of vineyards and a flower farm. We are in love with the furniture artisans up there, and who doesn't like a giant plate of schnitzel?
So I made my version; a combination of classic German flavors mingled with Tex-Mex flavors. Basically, everything fantastic about the Hill Country.
Talk about tasty and easy to make. This baby involves the rough chopping of the following:
1 bell pepper
4 cloves of garlic
1 medium onion
2 green apples
1 bunch cilantro
2 lbs of pork loin, generally cubed
Toss into a crock pot for about two hours on medium-high setting, along with 2 cups of chicken stock, salt and pepper, and hearty glug of Worchestershire. After two hours, add 2 cans of white beans (I used one can of butter beans and another of great northern) and a cup of mashed potato flakes. Stir, and allow to cook about 30 minutes more.
I top mine with Queso Fresco and french fried onions, because anything is a vehicle for cheese and fried onions.
