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since it it meet/unmeat month, would it be possible to shed more light on natural vs organic chicken? Thanks.

here's my meal plan for this week

Making corned beef in the crockpot tomorrow for the first time ever. I have been researching the best method and I am torn as to how much liquid to add as the estimates are as varied as 1 cup to 4 cups for 3 lbs of meat. My cut is 2.5 lbs and I was thinking of just adding a bottle of beer. Do I need more liquid, less? I will be adding carrots, onions and celery to the pot on the bottom, then the meat, then the potatoes on the very top. Also, I had planned to just sprinkle the spice packet on top of it all but if anyone has any other ideas......

I don't know how much liquid. But I do know that you should put less liquid in a crock-pot than a stock pot because you will not have the same degree of evaporation. Good luck!

I would love to hear some ideas for goat. My husband bought a package of goat stew meat, so I will need to cook that up sometime! The first time I made it, I made a tagine-like stew, and everyone loved it (though I cannot eat goat; it's a mental thing from a spring break trip to Jamaica). I was hoping to try something new, maybe a curry? Other than that, we have corned beef tonight, burgers tomorrow, and Friday has to be fish - or at least no meat.

Our family favorite pork dish is Kassler Rippchen (Smoked Pork Chops with Sauerkraut). Ideally we buy smoked chops from Flying Pig at the Union Square Farmers Market, but when they are unavailable we substitute healthy happy boneless chops from Whole Foods. The best sauerkraut is from Hawthorne Valley Farms. If we can't get that a store brand will do, but be sure to rinse it a bit as they can be a little too vinegary. If using raw pork just quickly brown in a hot sautee pan and remove. In the same pan cook chopped onions in a bit of olive oil and butter. Dump in the drained sauerkraut, add some chicken stock, a couple bay leaves and some peppercorns and let it simmer. Then nestle the pork in, cover and simmer either until the pork is cooked through (started raw) or warmed through (started smoked). This is too good served with some roasted potatoes.

I'm trying something new and making goat chops tonight. I was going to make them with mushrooms, mint and parsley and bit of lemon. Would pairing it with new potatoes and green beans make the dinner too bland? What about any suggestions for salad? Easy dessert?

I'm open to new suggestions for the goat chops too... seeing as how I've never cooked with them :)

ha ha.. just saw that ziacd is also looking for goat recipe ideas... what's going on with this meat?

For those in Chicago:

New Trader Joes opening in Chicago where Pier One and Barnes and Noble by Clark/Diversey used to be.