Sweet & Spicy Asian Drumsticks

Yum Yum Yum. This was part of the 1st week's meal plan and a new recipe I tried. Very glad I did.

2 cups orange juice
1 cup pineapple juice
2 tbls orange zest
2 tbls mince garlic
2 tbls minced ginger
2 tbls green onion
1 tbls sesame oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsps crushed red pepper flakes
12 chicken drumsticks
2 tbls Essence, recipe follows
2 tsp salt
2 tbls chopped cilantro leaves
1 tbls toasted sesame seeds

Preheat oven 375 degrees.

In a large saute pan set over med high heat, place orange juice, pineapple juice, orange zest, garlic, ginger, green onions, sesame oil, soy sauce mirin, sugar and red pepper flakes. Bring the pan to a boil and stir occasionally until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid has reduced to a thick syrup, about 20 min.

Season the drumstick with the Essence and salt. Place on a sheet pan or casserole and drizzle liberally with the glaze. Place the casserole in the oven and cook until the chicken is cooked through and caramelized, about 40-45 min. To serve, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and the sesame seeds. Serve with any unused glaze on the side.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast)
2-1/2 tbls paprika
2 tbls salt
2 tbls garlic powder
1 tbls black pepper
1 tbls onion powder
1 tbls cayenne pepper
1 tbls dried oregano
1 tbls dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Yield 2/3 cup

***I made my drumsticks in the crock pot and they worked beautifully. I put it on low for about 4 or so hours and they were wonderful!***

Zesty Italian BBQ Meatballs

I just love to make these for pretty much anything. They are so easy and taste great. One day I will try them with ground turkey.

Meatballs:

2lbs. ground beef
1 med onion, chopped (finely)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 eggs, beaten

Sauce:

1-1/2 cups bottled BBQ sauce
3/4 cup tomato paste (1 6oz can)
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cups water, as needed
1 tsp liquid smoke

Combine the meatballs ingredients. Form into walnut sized balls. Bake the meatballs in a shallow baking dish at 350 degrees for 20 min or until browned. Drain off any fat. Transfer meatballs to crock pot. Combine all sauce ingredients in bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour over meatballs. Cover and cool on low for 4 hrs or on high for 2 hours. Stir once in the middle of cooking to baste meatballs with sauce.
From my Crock Pot Cookbook

* I experiment with the sauce but this is something to go by til you find something you like :)

Jenn's Red Beans & Rice

1 lb kidney beans
1-1/2 lbs Manda Spicy Hot Sausage
6 cups of water
1 tsp onion powder (if you don't have real onions)
Hot sauce, to taste
1 tsp Worchestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
2 bay leaves
Cajun seasonings, your choice

3 cups cooked rice

Soak beans overnight in crockpot (not turned on) in the 6 cups of water. When ready to cook, add all ingredients to crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hrs or high for 4-5 hrs. Add more water if needed. For thicker gravy (which I love) mash some beans & cook a bit longer. Stir occasionally.

*low for 7-8 hrs I add about 1/4-1/2 cup of extra water if I won't be stirring it or watching it.
It doesn't hurt anything if you cook it for longer. Just blends the seasonings in more