Super Yummy Chili! December 3, 2009
Posted by Teresa in : Dinner, Lunch , 1 comment so farI made this yesterday and it was the best chili I think I’ve ever made! Complex flavour spectrum…. 
(I picked that up on Food Network.) Throw it all into a nice big pot, medium heat, and start adding everything:
Ingredients:
- 1 large can crushed tomatoes
-1 pkg Veggie Ground Round (the best stuff – no browning required!)
- 1 can mixed beans (would also be good with an additional can of kidney beans), drained, rinsed and drained again
- 1/4 bottle of beer (no more or it gets too runny)
Then comes the flavour!! Add some (anywhere from 1/4 – 1 teaspoon) of the following ingredients, depending on your tastes:
- chili powder
- sea salt
- cayenne pepper (and I think I put some fresh ground black pepper in too)
- garlic, chopped fine
- paprika
- chili sauce – Frank’s Red Hot or Louisiana hot sauce (not too much!)
- Tobasco sauce
- Worchestershire sauce
- a dollop of molasses (yes, for real!)
- maple syrup (don’t gasp!), about 1 Tbsp
- about 6 melting chocolates, the ones that are button shaped, about 1 inch across (stir well to melt)
The sweetness counteracts the spicy and makes all the tastebuds on your tongue come alive! Taste often to make sure you haven’t gone too far in any direction, sweet or spicy… you might need more spicy after adding the sweet stuff! Enjoy the best chili that ever took you 10 minutes to make!
When I make this again, I think I’ll start with some onions, and might also add some jalapenos or other hot peppers, if I’ve got ‘em. And it’s always better to let it simmer, but you can also make it super fast!
Taco Soup January 24, 2009
Posted by Teresa in : Dinner, Lunch , add a commentAll the best ingredients from tacos! Get a big pot and get going!
- one package of Veggie Ground Round (or 1 lb ground beef)
- half an onion, minced, about 1/4 cup
- 1 can of mixed beans (“bean medley” of PC Organics worked well), including the juice from the can
- 1 can diced tomatoes (I also had a fresh tomato, so I diced that and threw it in)
- 1 cup frozen corn (or 1 can of corn niblets)
The original recipe also called for 1 pkg taco seasoning mix and ranch dressing mix, but I just added a little chili powder, salt and pepper. If you use real beef, brown it thoroughly first, then add other ingredients. I highly recommend the Veggie Ground Round, as it’s easier, better for you, and tastes great! Heat up all ingredients until they are warmed through. Serve with
- 1 avocado, pitted and cut into pieces (or you could use guacamole)
- sour cream
- tortilla chips
You can crunch up the tacos like adding crackers to soup, or just munch on them on the side. The avocado and sour cream add SO much to the flavour — don’t leave them out! The original recipe also called for 1 can of hominy, but I had no idea where I could get that. The soup was great without it! Enjoy!
This recipe came from a 4H cookbook I bought just before Christmas! It’s huge – I am looking forward to trying more recipes from it!
