Chili

I wrote up this recipe a long while back, inspired by yummy chili at home made by mom and dad


can be doubled. tripled, halfed...

The basics:

1 lb ground beef(optional)- browned on stove w/
-olive oil (a wee bit)
-garlic(1-4 cloves, your preference)
-cumin(+/- 2 tsp)
-crushed red pepper(a couple good shakes)
-chili powder(+/- 2 tsp)
-paprika (to taste... I honestly have no idea what this spice really does!!)

1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
3(ish) stalks of celery chopped
1 onion cut in half and just plopped into pot to stew in there

Pick and choose (always good):
Bell peppers
Carrots
Zucchini
Garbanzo beans

Put everything in a crock pot and let 'er rip!

Salt & black pepper to taste when it's gettin' good 'n' hot.


Variations, secret ingredients, tips, etc:

All measurements are up to your discretion. If you like more of something or none of something, just add or subtract what you like. If you want it vegetarian, add a few more beans (or don't) and just scrap the meat. It's good to brown the meat with the spices and garlic but not necessary, you can just throw plain browned meat into the pot with everything else.

I love to add cinnamon at the end. It gives it a kind of sweeter feeling with a fun, spicy bite!

You can always add more spices.
To make it spicier: more red pepper, more cumin
More flavorful: salt, garlic, onion
Sweeter: br. sugar, cinnamon
Less chunky: water
Less watery: first, just mix it up, if it's still too watery... tomato paste (if it is early on in the cooking process), or just take the top off and let some of the water boil off.

Celery and garlic are KEY. At least for me!


On top:

Cheddar cheese
Sour cream


On bottom:

Rice
Corn Muffins
Noodles


You can make it in...
-a crock pot. Simple, just throw everything in... put it on high just to warm up the pot and then turn it to low for a few hours. I would mix it up and turn it on high for a bit just before you serve it.
-a pot on the stove. Quick, just throw everything in... and let it warm up! This is faster than a crock pot. It will probably be ready after 30-40 min of sitting on the stove, but you should keep an eye on it and be there to stir it pretty regularly.

Final step (this is SUPER important):
Find some friends and DIG IN!


*disclaimer*
all measurements are subject to change and are not precise, no need to follow directions exactly, have fun and add your own new ingredients!

Beans&Greens

I know this is not the official greens and beans recipe that Betty Crocker would teach you, but this is my way, and it's yummy!
inspired by my momma


Ingredients:

Olive oil (extra-virgin is best, especially if it is from Spain, my personal preference) or Butter or both
1-2 cloves of garlic
1 can great northern beans
Crushed red pepper
Salt
Black Pepper
Spinach



Since I never measure anything, I don't know exactly how much of each I put in. Usually I do alot of taste-testing while cooking to figure out just how I like it done.


Directions:

Heat a large frying pan on stove top, add olive oil or butter when it is hot (about 2TBS)

olive oil is much healthier, but butter, salted butter adds more flavor. sometimes i use both. i'm pretty sure that is breaking some unwritten kitchen law- butter AND olive oil? oh well... that's what i do.

Crush, mince, chop, or attack your garlic in some way, add to pan (about 1-2 cloves)

don't let the garlic burn! turn pan down if necessary.

After a minute or so, add drained and rinsed beans (1 15 oz. can)

Mix in crushed red pepper, black pepper, and salt to taste.

i have no idea how much of these i actually add... probably about 1tsp crushed red, a few shakes of pepper and one shake of salt.



When beans are heated thoroughly, throw on two handfuls of fresh spinach

it looks like a lot, but it will wilt down to a good amount, you can always take it easy and add more as you go. you could probably use frozen spinach as well, but it wouldn't be half as good.

Mix it all together, let spinach wilt, mix some more, and voila! Ready to eat.


Yields:

2 servings

or more if eaten over pasta


Fun additions:

add feta cheese to finished product

eat over pasta (I prefer bow-tie pasta for this one)

eat over rice

add sun-dried tomatoes

use escarole instead of spinach (this is how my mom makes it)

fry your beans up in chicken stock (lots of flavor! also a mom trick)


It's a pretty easy, very quick, super healthy meal or side-dish with tons of protein and fiber and lots of vitamins.


What would you add or suggest?

Did you try it? What did you think?