Main Courses – ginHill.com http://ginhill.com Your récipé to enjoying life on ginHill and everywhere Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:31:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 http://ginhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cropped-NPS.gov-image-09001-32x32.jpg Main Courses – ginHill.com http://ginhill.com 32 32 19883991 Hoppin’ John http://ginhill.com/2026/01/hoppin-john/ http://ginhill.com/2026/01/hoppin-john/#respond Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:56:25 +0000 https://ginhill.com/?p=729 Made this for New Year's Day and will never make anything else!

Ingredients

  • 6 thick-cut bacon slices, chopped
  • 4 celery stalks, sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped (about 1 Tbsp.)
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  • 8 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 cups fresh or frozen black-eyed peas
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice
  • Fresh scallions, sliced

Directions

  1. Cook bacon: Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until starting to crisp, about 10 minutes.
  2. Add vegetables and seasonings: Add celery, onion, bell pepper, garlic, thyme, black pepper, cayenne, and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, about 8 minutes.
  3. Add broth and peas: Add broth and black-eyed peas, and bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until peas are tender, about 40 minutes.
  4. Drain pea mixture, reserving cooking liquid. Return pea mixture and 1 cup of the cooking liquid to Dutch oven. Cover to keep warm; set aside.
  5. Cook rice: Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high. Add rice and cook, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly toasted, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in 3 cups of the reserved cooking liquid and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until rice is tender, 15 to 18 minutes.Fluff rice with a fork. Alternatively, cook the rice in the rice cooker.
  6. Combine rice and pea mixture: Gently stir into pea mixture in Dutch oven. Stir in remaining cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Sprinkle servings with sliced fresh scallions.
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Pork Tenderloin with Fennel http://ginhill.com/2026/01/pork-tenderloin-with-fennel/ http://ginhill.com/2026/01/pork-tenderloin-with-fennel/#respond Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:50:27 +0000 https://ginhill.com/?p=727 Pork and fennel are a classic match. This comes together quickly. Serve with a side or rice (or other grain) or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients 

  • ▢ 1 lb. pork tenderloin
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon ground fennel seeds
  • ▢ 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • ▢ 2 fennel bulbs, trims removed and fronds reserved
  • ▢ 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • ▢ salt and pepper
  • ▢ 1 cup dry white wine
  • ▢ 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ▢ juice form 1/2 lemon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Use paper towel to pat dry the pork until dry. Rub fennel seed in pork, evenly distributing throughout.

3. In oven-safe pan or skillet, heat olive oil on medium high heat. Brown tenderloin on all sides for about six minutes. Set aside on plate.

4. Cut fennel into 1/2 inch wedges Using the same pan, sauté fennel and garlic over medium heat until fennel is brown and tender, about six minutes. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up brown bits. Add butter and broth to pan and stir.

5. Place pork on top of fennel and transfer pan into oven. Roast until internal temperature of pork reaches 145-150 degrees, about 15 minutes. Transfer pork to a cutting board and let stand for 10 minutes.

6. While pork is resting, transfer hot skillet to stove top, bring contents to simmer until almost completely reduced. Add lemon juice, reduce heat and stir in 1/2 cup reserved (and chopped) fronds.

7. Slice pork, serve over fennel wedges and top with sauce.

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Butternut Squash and Farro Risotto http://ginhill.com/2024/12/butternut-squash-and-farro-risotto/ http://ginhill.com/2024/12/butternut-squash-and-farro-risotto/#respond Thu, 05 Dec 2024 22:27:16 +0000 http://ginhill.com/?p=693 I saw this recipe in the Washington Post and knew I had to make it. It makes a perfect meatless meal! There will be no left overs!

Ingredients

3 cups (about 1 pound) diced butternut squash (1/2-inch dice)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon fine salt, divided
4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 medium yellow onion (8 ounces), diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 cup pearled (quick-cooking) farro
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
1/3 cup (about 1 ounce) grated parmesan cheese, divided, optional
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Instructions

1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees.
2. On a large sheet pan, toss the squash with 1 tablespoon of the oil and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned in spots, tossing once at the midway point.
3. While the squash is roasting, in a small pot over medium-high heat, bring the broth to a boil. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting.
4. In a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add the sage, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and the pepper and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Add the farro and cook, stirring frequently, until coated in the oil and toasted, about 3 minutes.
5. Add the wine and increase the heat to high. Cook until the wine is mostly absorbed/evaporated, about 2 minutes. Ladle enough broth into the pot to just cover the farro. Lower the heat so the broth is at a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is mostly absorbed, about 5 minutes.
6. Continue to add more broth, a ladle or two at a time, ensuring the liquid is gently simmering and letting it get absorbed by the farro after each addition, until the farro is tender but still has a nice chew to it and its liquid is saucy, about 35 minutes. (You may not need all of the stock.)
7. Stir in the squash and butter, if using, and cook until the squash is warmed through and the butter is melted, about 1 minute.
8. Optional: Stir in all but 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Add a little more stock or water if needed to maintain a thick, saucy texture. The cheese will give the dish a risotto-like taste but you may choose not to add it, as I did.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve.

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Dixon Charles’ North Carolina Brunswick Stew http://ginhill.com/2022/05/dixon-charles-north-carolina-brunswick-stew/ http://ginhill.com/2022/05/dixon-charles-north-carolina-brunswick-stew/#respond Sun, 08 May 2022 19:10:02 +0000 http://ginhill.com/?p=615 Dixon's hearty Brunswick Stew is great comfort food for a cool evening!

Ingredients

3 lbs. chicken
1 lb. beef
3 med. onions

4 28oz. cans tomatoes
5 Tbls. worchestershire sauce
1 20oz. bottle ketchup
1 Tbls. Tobasco
2 bay leaves
1/2 bottle chili sauce
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 stick butter

2 cans butter beans
2 cans white cream-style corn
1 can green peas
3 small diced potatoes
1 box frozen okra

3 Tbls. vinegar

Method

Season chicken and beef with salt and pepper; add onions and cover with water. Cook several hours until tender, or 15 mins under high pressure (let sit for 5”, then release remaining pressure). Let cool; remove meat from bones; tear into shreds and return to stock.

You’ll need at least a 12 quart pot for the rest…

Add next eight ingredients. Cook for one hour, stirring to prevent sticking.

Add next five ingredients. Cook slowly until thick.

Add vinegar before serving.

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Instant Pot: Chicken Paprikash http://ginhill.com/2018/12/instant-pot-chicken-paprikash/ http://ginhill.com/2018/12/instant-pot-chicken-paprikash/#respond Sun, 16 Dec 2018 21:09:16 +0000 http://ginhill.com/?p=522 Serve this delightful chicken with a side salad and warm crusty bread.

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 lb. chicken, diced (I use a mix of breast and thighs)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1½ cup chicken stock
  • 1 cup milk (use half and half or heavy cream for a richer sauce)
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 5 tablespoons corn starch
  • juice of 1 lemon

Method

Dice the onion and mince garlic.

Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil in the inner pot. Using the sauté function on your Instant Pot, add the onion and sauté for a few minutes until soft but not brown. Add the garlic and sauté for about a minute, stirring to prevent the garlic from burning. Add the chicken to the onions and garlic. Cook for a few minutes until the chicken sears on all sides.

Add salt, pepper and sweet paprika. Stir everything around with a wooden spoon so the chicken is coated with the seasoning.

Add the bay leaves and the chicken stock. Close and lock the lid, set the steam release to “SEALING” position. Press “MANUAL” and adjust the time to 5 minutes.

After the cycle is finished, wait for 10 minutes before releasing the pressure manually.

Press the sauté button. Mix the cornstarch in the milk and add to the pot. Add the sour cream and stir to mix. Bring the sauce to a boil and cook until it is thickened.

Just before serving, squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon.

Serve with mashed potatoes or wide egg noodles.

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Beef Burgundy http://ginhill.com/2015/12/beef-burgundy/ http://ginhill.com/2015/12/beef-burgundy/#respond Thu, 24 Dec 2015 17:30:15 +0000 http://ginhill.com/?p=468 Ingredients
  • 3½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 pounds lean stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups red wine, young and full-bodied (like Beaujolais, Côtes du Rhone, Bordeaux, or Burgundy)
  • 2 to 3 cups brown beef stock
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cloves mashed garlic
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • A crumbled bay leaf

Optional

  • 18 to 24 white onions, small
  • 3½ tablespoons butter
  • 1 pound mushrooms, fresh and quartered

Cooking Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Dry beef in paper towels; it will not brown if it is damp. Heat olive (or corn) oil in large casserole until almost smoking. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and sauté until nicely browned on all sides.

Once all the beef has been browned, add the sliced vegetables to the hot pan and brown for about 7-8 minutes until tender.

Add the tomato paste to the vegetables, stirring constantly until it is browned. (You will know when it is ready because they tomato paste is not bright red but brown, almost like light chocolate.)

Once the tomato paste is browned, add the garlic stirring continuously so the garlic doesn’t burn. Next, sprinkle on the flour and toss until the vegetables are coated. Add the beef to the pot and stir so the flour/vegetable mixture coats the beef.

Stir in wine and enough stock so that the meat is barely covered. Bring to a simmer on top of the stove.

Cover casserole and set in lower third of oven. Regulate heat so that liquid simmers very slowly for 3 hours. The meat is done when a fork pierces it easily. Test the meat to see if it is tender. If not, cook for another 30 minutes or so.

Optional

Onions and mushrooms are traditional ingredients in beef burgundy. They are cooked separately from the beef and added 2 hours into the cooking.

Mushrooms. You can use any mushrooms you choose but white or porcini mushrooms are traditional. Once the beef is in the oven, clean and slice the mushrooms into ¼ inch slides. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil until it sizzles, and then add the mushrooms. Sauté the mushrooms until they have rendered their moisture and are tender. Take the mushrooms off the heat and hold. They should be added into the beef after it has been in the oven for 2 hours.

Onions. Pearl onions are the traditional ones used in beef burgundy. Buy a 1 lb. bag of frozen pearl onions for this recipe. Before you begin cooking the beef, thaw the onions and bring them to room temperature. I always put them in a colander so they drain; you will want the thawed onions to be very dry when you start preparing them. Once the beef is in the oven, dry the onions with paper towels. Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil to a sauté pan and heat until the oil is very hot. Add the pearl onions, stirring them to ensure they brown on all sides. That should take about 8-10 minutes. Once the onions are brown, remove from heat and hold. The onions can be added after the beef has been in the oven for about 2 hours.

Beef Burgundy can be served with mashed potatoes or flat noodles. Green beans, Brussels sprouts, or other green vegetables can be served as a side. Apple/pear compote can also be served. To make the apple pear compote, use 6 granny smith apples and 4 pears. Wash, halve and core the apples. Toss them in 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of white sugar, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon on the apples. Bake in the oven at 350ºF for about 34 minutes. When they are soft, remove from the oven and let them cool. Use a potato masher to roughly mash the apples and pears before serving them.

 

 

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Miriam’s Mexican Casserole http://ginhill.com/2015/08/miriams-mexican-casserole/ http://ginhill.com/2015/08/miriams-mexican-casserole/#respond Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:51:10 +0000 http://ginhill.com/?p=463 2 small or one large package yellow rice (Vigo…..with saffron)

1 lb ground beef
1 15oz can diced tomatoes
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 cup shredded cheddar
1 cup milk
1 can cheddar cheese soup (Campbells)

Make rice according to package directions
brown meet and add taco seasoning
Stir in tomatoes (undrained)
bring to simmer

Put meat in bottom of casserole dish and cover with the rice. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Combine soup and milk….pour over casserole.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes (can cover loosely with foil if necessary)

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Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash http://ginhill.com/2015/02/slow-cooker-hungarian-goulash/ http://ginhill.com/2015/02/slow-cooker-hungarian-goulash/#respond Sun, 22 Feb 2015 13:12:03 +0000 http://ginhill.com/?p=451 Ingredients

1 lb chuck, cut into bite size cubes
1 tbsp flour
Salt and pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp sweet paprika
2 tsp crushed caraway seeds
1 onion chopped
2 cups chicken stock
Optional: 1 carrot and 1 parsnip, peeled and diced to bulk it out
1 green pepper, deseeded and roughly chopped

Method

1 Toss the cubed meat in the flour with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based pan until it is very hot. Carefully add the meat and brown all over. If you put all the meat into a small pan, it will cool the pan down and the meat will not brown properly.

2 Once the meat is browned, add the paprika, caraway and onion and stir very well to prevent the mixture sticking to the pan. Cook over a low heat for 10 minutes then add the chicken stock and stir well. Turn up the heat and bring the stew to a simmer. Add the vegetables.

3. When the mixture starts to simmer, transfer to a slow cooker. Cover and simmer for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if the mixture looks too thick.

Serve with pasta or mashed potatoes. Serves about 4.

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Evelyn’s Turkey Salad http://ginhill.com/2013/12/evelyns-turkey-salad/ http://ginhill.com/2013/12/evelyns-turkey-salad/#respond Fri, 27 Dec 2013 21:48:32 +0000 http://ginhill.com/?p=333 This recipe came from Rick’s mother, Evelyn Tucker, who made Turkey Salad every year from leftover turkey after Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. This is Rick’s best recollection of the recipe; it wasn’t written down anywhere.

Ingredients

  • Leftover turkey, both white and dark meat (I prefer half-and-half), cut into oblong pieces about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long or wide
  • Celery, cut into 1/2″ wide and 1/4″ thin pieces (about 1/2 the volume, or less, of the turkey pieces)
  • Scallions (green onions), cut into 1/4″ thin pieces (about 1/4 the volume, or less, of the turkey pieces)
  • Mayonnaise

Directions

  1. Combine turkey, celery, and scallion pieces
  2. Mix in only enough mayonnaise to lightly coat all of the pieces, and then a tad more
  3. Pepper and salt to taste
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Fish Pie Picardie http://ginhill.com/2013/01/fish-pie-picardie/ http://ginhill.com/2013/01/fish-pie-picardie/#respond Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:55:55 +0000 http://ginhill.com/?p=297 Ingredients
  • 1½-2 lbs haddock or other firm white fish
  • 8-10 large scallops
  • 12-15 medium/large shrimp
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 Tablespoon butter
  • 2 Tablespoon canola/vegetable oil (not olive oil)
  • 1 cup cider  (you can replace the cider with 1 cup white wine or 1/3 cup sherry or calvados and 2/3 cup water)
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup sour cream or creme fraiche
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • A dash of nutmeg

For the topping:

  • 3 lbs potatoes
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 Tablespoons of butter
  • 2 egg yolks

Directions

  1. For the potatoes: boil and mash the potatoes, adding the sour cream and butter but not the yolks just yet. Add the yolks just before you top the pie with the potatoes.
  2. For the pie: Place the haddock in a large pan. Add milk, bay leaf, salt and pepper.  Bring to a  and simmer.  Cover and cook on a low heat for 4 minutes. Let the fish cool enough to handle. Strain the milk into a bowl and reserve. Flake the fish coarsely, discarding the skin.
  3. Wash the scallops and remove any gristle. Slice each scallop into 2 discs. Peel and devein the shrimp. Set the scallops and shrimp aside. Melt the butter in a pan, add the flour and let it cook for a minute or until lightly browned. Work in the cider until the mixture is smooth. Next, add the strained milk, sour cream and mustard. Bring to the boil, stirring, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring.  Remove the mixture from the heat.  Gently fold in the fish, scallops, and shrimp. Turn into a shallow dish and spoon the mashed potatoes on the top. Bake at 350º for 40 minutes until golden.
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