Chili and Halloween go hand in hand where I come from. Every year my Mom always serves chili and breadsticks to the neighbors. It is a tradition that my siblings have continued as we have moved away from home. Here are some of our favorite chili recipes.
CHILE CON CARNE
1 lb. Red kidney beans
2 quarts Water
3 Tb. Green Chili pepper, chopped
2C. Tomato sauce
Salt to Taste
1 ½ tsp. White pepper
½ C. Bacon fat
2 medium–large Onions
2 lb. Ground beef
1 ½ tsp. Garlic powder
2 Tbl. Chili powder
1 qt. Tomatoes, chopped
Soak beans overnight, then cook in same water until tender. Drain an add chili pepper, salt, white pepper and tomato sauce. Let stand 2 hours. Heat onions, ground beef, garlic powder and chili powder in bacon fat; cook 30 minutes. Add tomatoes; cook 1 hour and serve.
This recipe is from Rancho De Los Cabelleros, in Wickenburg, Arizona. Chili con carne represents the essence of Southwestern cooking. This luxury ranch-inn is set in the high desert, about an hour’s drive north of Phoenix. Treasured Recipes of Country Inns
My sister prefers to serve this white bean chili
WHITE BEAN CHILI
6 – 8 cans white beans (small)
2 cans black beans
2 tablespoons cumin
1 large onion
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon Old Bay spice
3 (7 ounce) cans diced green chilies
1 can Salsa Verde (Herdaz brand)
1 (4 ounce) can jalapeños
7 cans of chicken stock
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 cup chopped cilantro
4 chicken breasts, cooked
3 – 4 tablespoons lime juice
Sauté onion. Add cumin, chili powder, Old Bay and Salsa Verde. Simmer 5 minutes. Add chicken broth, tomatoes and cilantro – bring to a boil. Add beans, jalapeño, green chilies and chicken. Simmer at least one hour, can simmer all day. Before serving add lime juice. Serve with sour cream. Makes a ton. Note: if you choose to simmer all day you may want to hold the jalapeños out until near the end depending on how hot you want the chili.
photo via sweetladysweets flickr
I really wanted pumpkin pancakes this weekend, so yesterday I googled them and came away with this recipe. They were delicious. I added chocolate chips to mine.
Pumpkin Pancakes
from StreamingGourmet
Serves 2 people (makes 6 shapes)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1.5 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup whole milk
1/3 cup canned pure pumpkin
2 large eggs, separated
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Method
1. Preheat griddle on medium heat. (Don’t add any fat to the griddle yet. Just let it sit there heating up).
2. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, pumpkin and egg yolks. Melt the butter in a small ramekin in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Mix the vanilla in with the eggs to help cool it down a little. You may have to wait a minute or two. You don’t want to cook the eggs. Add the butter/vanilla mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly.
3. Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix thoroughly. The batter will be thick. You’re going to add the egg whites next. Using an electric handheld mixer, or a crank one like that pictured here, beat the egg whites until they are stiff, but not too dry. Fold them into the batter gently.
4. Using a ladle (to control the amount of batter you use each time), pour batter into the mold, moving your hand around as you do so to spread the batter around all the little areas. Only fill the mold up about halfway. It will rise during cooking. Once the edges become firm, you are ready to gently lift the mold out of the pan. Check for places where the batter could be sticking to the mold and gently push it away with a butter knife. Once you’ve removed the mold, you can flip the pancake like normal. Let cook for another 2 minutes or so.
5. Serve immediately with butter and maple syrup.
Tell us about you and your Etsy shop.
I have always enjoyed art; it probably started back in kindergarten when I drew a girl standing in the "I'm a little tea pot" pose. My drawing was recognized, and from that point forward I have been creating. I began painting for friends about 5 years ago, but I didn’t get serious until last Christmas when I sold paintings at a holiday market. I opened my Etsy shop, Paint Me a Picture, in May of this year after settling into my new world of being a stay-at-home mommy to Charlie, aka Mr.C. My paintings are primarily for nurseries and children, but I also like creating fun flourishes and other personalized designs. I get such joy in creating something someone loves and will enjoy in their own home
What is your favorite thing/piece you have made?
A painting of a guitar. I really like Pablo Picasso’s “The Old Guitarist” and because my husband really enjoyed music I made my version of the Blue Guitar for him when we were first married. It is definitely not my “best” piece. I had no idea what I was doing, I just played around with a lot of paint nd wire, but it worked and my husband still has it hanging in his office 6 ½ years later.
What would you say are the five must see places in your city/area?
I live in a small, southern town. If I were to take you on a tour to a few of my favorite places we would grab breakfast at (1) The Bread House for homemade pumpkin bread or a cranberry walnut fiber bar. Then, we would take (2) 3rd Avenue lined with ancient oaks covered in Spanish moss to downtown Albany. Next we would visit (3) River Front park to see the old train bridge over the Flint River. Then we would have to stop at (4) Livi & Company the Marketplace for a great selection of vintage and handmade items – it’s our local Etsy. We would finish with lunch at (5) Corner Café.
One thing you must have with you at all times?
For the past 8 ½ months it has been a burp cloth…lovely, I know.
What is your favorite accessory to wear?
Any one of my big, funky necklaces
Favorite flower?
My upcycled flowers, of course.
One place you dream of visiting?
Italy
If you had $200 to spend where would it go?
Towards a dishwasher…I have been washing dishes by hand for almost 7 years!
One person who inspires you?
My Aunt Melanie. She passed away when I was 16, but was an amazing artist who spent her talent and energy towards teaching art and special education.
A favorite blog/website to look at?
Spearmint Baby
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