Ok, ilc, here’s my recipe. A bit cumbersome, not one of those “throw it all in a pot” recipes, but great success rate:
1) Saute 1 diced onion, 4-6 cloves garlic in 1 Tablsp oil, low flame, 10-20 minutes
2) Simmer 3/4 cup white rice in water with small pinch salt, 10-15 minutes. Strain, rinse with cold water
3) Simmer 1&1/4 cups brown rice as above, 25-30 minutes. Rinse, strain.
-Combine 1), 2), & 3), in crockpot
-Add 8 oz tomato sauce (I also put in 2-3 Tablsp ketchup, omit if you wish) and whatever meat or meat bones you like.
-Add your own spices, salt, bouillon cubes, seasonings, to your family’s taste.
-Cover with boiling water. Water should cover ingredients, but not go above them.
-Bring to a light simmer- in my crockpot i keep on high for a little while, then when contents simmering, switch to low; you”ll have to find the right settings on your own crockpot
-“purists” may dispense with tomato sauce all together and use only water
-Notice i do Not suggest which spices, but anything goes, from cumin to chili powder to turmeric to paprika to allspice (1/4 teasp of that is perfect to me)to whatever your family will enjoy
You might like 1/2 Tablesp brown sugar or honey. I do not.
According to my lor- put up at least 1 hour before zman, prefer more, so you are not going into Shabbat with raw meat/ food cooking. According to me- this is a great idea because it allows the last, essential step:
-Before candle lighting, have at least 2 family members taste & make suggestions re seasoning. Check if you need to add a bit of water.
(If family members suggest strange things like beer & coke, please inform them this is Not cholent, and your kitchen is not a dorm room.)
I used to have a neighbour who made a delicious Sephardic dish that involved chicken wings, dried apricots, ketchup, cinnamon, various mysterious ingredients & a crockpot. If anyone knows what I’m talking about, please post recipe.