Cooking at Home: Barley and Hot Dog Stew

A couple nights I made a real yummy stew for myself that I thought would share it with you all.
I made it up as I went along, but it turn out well. Here is what I made:

All the major ingredients

Ingredients:
1 red potato chopped
1 blue potato chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 clove of garlic crush
2 natural casing hot dogs ( I used all beef)
1 tomato chopped
1 cup of red wine
1 teaspoon of marjoram
2 tablespoons of basil
2 tablespoons of oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup barley
2 cup beef broth


First you want to saute the potatoes, pepper, and garlic in a little oil. Once the peppers softens a bit add the hot dogs and cook for about 5 more minutes stirring it once in a while.

Tomato and Wine

Add Hot Dog!

Pepper, Potatoes and Garlic
Then add the tomatoes, spices and wine.

Let it cook for a couple of minutes then add the beef broth and barley, add water to cover with about a half inch of liquid if need.
Bring to a boil then turn down to a simmer.
 Simmer for about a hour.  Serve it hot.

Ready to serve.

Add time to eat!

This recipe can be changed easily enough to suit your own tastes.  Have fun and well.

I got my hot dogs from Downtown Meats and the vegetables from Farmer's Market in Bemidji.

The Flag Banquet

Some time authenticity takes a back seat to something fun.  This menu meal was base on  the colors of the Italian flag.  Green, white, and green.

First course was Bucatini with Red Sauce, White Sauce, and Pesto.

There I am.

Then we had a dish I called Chicken Caprisese.  Also Roasted Peppers with Zucchini and Onions and a Salad with Onions and Tomatoes.

And for dessert Chocolate Cups of Green, White and Red.

Little Orange Balls and More!

Today's lunch was a big success!  It was planned by Lena, one of my cooks, and a bit more work then most of our lunches.
We had Rice Ball for a first course.

 I had to deep fry then in a army pan.

Second course was Zucchini Salad and Eggplant Parmesan

 Never made this salad before.

And most came back for more.

And then, for the sweet tooth, Strawberries.

Wedding Banquet

Today we had a very special event here at Lago del Bosco.  Super Italiana and Paul Bunyan were married!  (Super Italian rewards those pledge to speak only Italian for the day and succeeded)  So we had a big wedding banquet.  This meal went really smoothly and I owe it all to my staff.

We open with platters of olives and fruit punch.

The next they had Bruschetta.

 After that was Wedding Risotto.

 Pasta!

 The main course of Roasted Whole Chicken.

 Greek Salad

 Fruit and Cheese

Sparkling Apple Juice

 And lastly CAKE!  For Bride and Groom.

 Cup Cakes for Guests

I had  to take a photo of this:

 And a good time and food was had by all!

Dolce Vita

Gonzo!

Today's theme is Puglia, it is the heel of Italy.
Lunch was great and simple, Pucca (olive bread),Chickpea and Pasta Soup, Salad, and pears.

My baker did a great job.

Pasta e Ceci

Supper's main dish was a bit more involved.  Beef Roll with Cheese Filling and Red Sauce, Peas, Focaccia, Salad, and Citrus and Olive Oil Cake.  The Beef Rolls fell apart a bit on me, but I learned some lessons and next time I well get it right.

Still was very good.

The cake, very good!

Pears...

Tonight's meal made me feel very proud.  I only made the dessert for this meal.  My crew made the rest.
The food hailing from Molise, we had Hunter's Style Chicken, Broccoli, bread and salad.

This is the thing I spent the most time on this afternoon, Pears with Chocolate.  I did not peel them myself, that was done by one of my Assistant Cooks.  After they are peeled I had boil them in a light syrup and then cover them in a chocolate sauce I made.  After that I made white vanilla sauce to give some flare.

I hope the kids liked it.