My favorite summer dish
Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 3:52PM ;)
Jim had to work for a half day today, so I was out picking blackberries at 5:30, as soon as it was light enough, right after I put two chickens on the smoker.
Blackberry season is winding down now (thank heavens!) as I only got four cake pans full. I fill cake pans as I pick, and freeze them right away, then once they’re frozen I vacuum seal them into bags. I’d rather go back later and process them however I want, rather than try and deal with them as they come off the vines.
Then I spent the rest of the morning weed whacking, I’ll mow tomorrow. Maybe ;)
this afternoon, we’ll see. I pulled the chickens off the smoker at noon, and vacuum sealed the meat and the berries and tossed it all back into the freezer. The chicken carcasses… now that’s what I was really after! I love, love love chicken broth made from smoked chickens. Most of the fat cooks off in the smoker, and I toss the skins into the pot, the flavor is incredible!
When tomatoes are fresh off the vine, my favorite summer food is beans and rice. My recipe is very simple to make, and everyone loves it.
I soak a cup and a half of either pinto beans or small red beans (I love them both) over night in water.
;)
In the morning, I fry a package of Jimmy Dean hot pork sausage with a medium onion and one poblano pepper.
Drain and put it in a crockpot with the soaked (and rinsed) beans, and enough smoked chicken broth to cover, or a little more if you like your beans and rice a little soupy.
Deglaze the pan with a little water, you don’t want to leave that yummy stuff ;)
behind… and pour it into the crockpot as well. Makes the pan much easier to clean too!
;)
Let it simmer all day, and salt to taste once the beans are soft. Pour over rice, top with lots of shredded cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes and green onions. Yummy!
Add a cold beer and it’s even better!
Reader Comments (2)
that bean dish sounds good but I must avoid green onions - what would be a good substitute? I really do need to get a new smoker - whenever you mention using yours my mouth starts to water!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Karen if it's just green onions then use a Florida sweet or a Vidalia. If it's onions in general I use minced onion or onion powder. Can add garlic instead of onion. Chives will give you a bit of an onion flavor.