Vegetable Irish Stew..or Soup?

Today I made a nice delicious dish of Irish Stew. Well, somewhat. That is the inspiration I had for it, along with the chilly weather we are getting here this weekend. I could just call it a Vegetable Stew but I like giving credit to the Irish for my inspiration. Cheers.


Ingredients:
1 Red Onion
1.5 lb Potatoes
1 lb Carrots
1 cup Scallions
1.5 cup Pearl Barley
Flax Seed
Rosemary
Sage
Parsley
Fennel Powder
Fenugreek Powder
Sweet Paprika
Italian Herb Mix
Ground Black Pepper
Sea Salt
Butter
2 qt Beef Stock

I began by gathering some of my ingredients. This really was a throw together as I found things in the fridge.

I then diced up the Red Onion and put that in the slow cooker along with about a half stick of Butter.

On top of that I put in the Sage Leaves, Parsley, and Rosemary. I also turned the heat on HIGH at this point.

On top of this, I added in the Pearl Barley and a half handful of Flax seeds.

Now, I chopped the Potatoes, Carrots, and Scallions up beforehand and only now get to putting them in. I like order, so I went with sliced Carrots first.

Then the Potatoes and Scallions.

Now I put on the spices. A dusting of each and a larger dusting of Italian Herb Mix.

Finally, I poured in my 2 qt container of Beef Stock.

Cover and let cook on High for about 3 hours or so. Then mix it up together.

Check on it about an hour after that. Taste test to see how the Carrots are doing. Carrots take longer to cook than the Potatoes, so you'll know all is done by tasting the Carrots.

If it's not done, then let it cook some more. Otherwise, just serve!

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Today I decided that the ribs I picked up the other day needed to be eaten. The problem is that I cannot cook these up in 10 minutes and chow down...they require a lot of time to be properly delicious. I would have used a grill, but my knowledge of proper grilling is somewhat stunted since it is usually 100 degrees outside when I want to grill. So I decided to break out my 2 slow cookers from their couple month long siesta.

Ingredients:
2 half-rack's of Baby Back Ribs
Jack Daniel's Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
Spice Rub*

Spice Rub:
Turmeric
Sea Salt
Ancho Chili Powder
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Hot Smoked Spanish Paprika
Chili Powder
Ground Black Pepper
Italian Herbs Mix
Brown Sugar

I began by setting up my two slow cookers and getting the ribs out. I peeled the membrane off, which was almost non-existent, and proceeded to mix the rub together. I did not list an amount of each ingredient for the Spice Mix due to everyone having their own particular tastes. So go with what you think will like best! Personally, I went heavy on the Garlic Powder, Paprika, and Turmeric but that's just me.

I rubbed the spice mix all over the ribs quite thoroughly. Try not to miss a spot for maximum flavoring later on!

I placed the half racks of ribs 1 per slow cooker and placed them meat side down. I have read that this is not the way to do it, but bear with me.

After about 3 hours in the slow cooker, I checked on how they were doing.

I flipped the ribs to bone side down. I chose to go half and half with how they are cooked. I guess an attempt to even out the cooking, oh well.

About 2.5 hours after the Great Flipping of the Ribs, I went to check on them and noticed they appeared to be done. So I used a pair of tongs and plucked them out of the slow cookers and on to a clean plate.

I grabbed my Jack Daniel's Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce and proceeded to pour and brush it all over the half rack of ribs one side at a time.

Once slathered up in delicious BBQ Sauce, I proceeded to use a large non-serrated knife to cut the ribs into single rib pieces to eat easier.

Finally, placing them on a plate to serve. Enjoy.