i just made this tonight! i'm going to freeze it to use for x-mas eve dinner. last minute change of plans is bringing the party to my house and i'm hosting x-mas brunch too so i need something really easy - aka defrost!
What other veggies have you added?
- what ever is in my fridge that i want to use up - green beans, asparagus, peppers etc. i must caution you, my 8qt pot gets filled to the brim -literally. so don't add too much extra stuff (i usually do three big chicken breasts and extra onion, carrot and celery though... i just can't seem to stop myself). it's a good thing it simmers uncovered for 90 minutes before adding the meat, otherwise there wouldn't be enough room for the everything!
Do you use 28 ounce cans of tomatoes or the smaller size?
- the recipe refers to the 14.5oz can - i use two of them.
Would a cabernet or merlot work for the red wine (especially since I will have to finish the bottle
)? What would you substitute instead of wine (not that I would want to)?
- any red that you like to drink is perfectly fine. i wouldn't replace the wine with anything, just go without. i forget sometimes and it still tastes great!
here's a tip from my aunt who said she just made her best batch in 20+ years. she cooked everything up to the point of adding all the veggies and simmering them for 90 minutes. the next day she added the meat and wine and finished cooking. this would be a nice way to get some of the cooking done ahead of time. i'm not sure how this would truly be different than cooking it all the day before. perhaps it's because her family is so big they've never had any left to eat the next day