Chili

When it’s cold outside and what I really want is something hot to make me feel warm inside.

Chili does the trick for me.  Truth is I like chili most any time of the year.

There are various ways to make chili with a lot of variations in meat, peppers and spices.

My own recipe:

1lb. lean ground beef

1 medium Spanish onion diced

1 can of red beans (I use organic)

2 large tomatoes skinned and diced (or a can of diced unsalted tomatoes)

1 can of unsalted tomato sauce

1 or 2 green chilies seeded and diced

1 tbsp.  crushed red pepper

1 tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. cumin

¼ cup of brown sugar.

Brown the ground beef.  Add the peppers and onions when and sauté for one or two minutes.  Add the spices and let cook for another minute before adding the tomatoes.  Let simmer 15 to 20 minutes then add the brown sugar.

Other recipes you might want to try:

·         Vegetarian Chili with Spicy Tortilla Strips

·         Spicy Beanless Chili

·         Kathy’s Easy Not so Spicy Chili

·         Spicy Buffalo Chili

·         White Chili

In the comment section, please feel free to post your recipes, preferences or other comments on chili.

Meatloaf

I heard a radio ad once where the husband says to the wife “meatloaf for dinner again! Arrrggghhh.”

My husband and I think the ad is funny. When I tell my husband that we are having meatloaf for dinner, he says, “meatloaf again!  YAY!”

It really is a very simple thing to make.  The possibilities with how to make it are seemingly endless.

I will start with the recipe that my husband loves so much.

1.5 lbs. ground beef

1 egg

1 cup of plain oatmeal

1 medium onion chopped

1 cup of Jack Daniels BBQ sauce

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

In a large bowl, combine everything together mixing thoroughly

Shape into a loaf and place in a loaf pan or other baking dish

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done through

The type of ground meat used is not limited to beef.  Ground chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, venison or a combination of them will work just as well.

I use BBQ sauce but others may prefer regular tomato sauce, ketchup, salsa or other some other sauce.

If you don’t have any regular oatmeal, you can use breadcrumbs, croutons, or crackers instead.

Gluten free and Vegan meatloaf recipes are available as well as low-fat versions.

I’ve also considered getting  a meatloaf pan that has a tray that allows excess fat to drain off or a mini-loaf pan to make individual servings.

In the comment section, please feel free to post your recipe, preference or other comments on meatloaf.