Mom's Chili

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We had a tradition growing up in my family, we always had Mom's Chili on Christmas Eve.  Most everyone liked it, then the others (you know who you are) grew up and loved it! Then they couldn't wait for grandma's chili !! And proceeded to stuff themselves after that!
She always served Saltines, Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese, Corn Bread, & Grandma's Jello Salad...oh! and Black Olives (mom had to cover these, or they'd all be gone before dinner, we ALL loved them!) she also had dessert... later, once your chili settled, waiting for the kids to go to sleep so Santa could come...
I always looked forward to that, even when we got older... & I miss it now! (•̪●)   Good times! ♥
This never fails to warm you up on a cold winter night...
Here is what you need:

1 1/2 lbs. of Ground Beef (you could also use Ground Turkey or Ground Chicken also)
1 Small Bell Pepper
1 Small Onion (I used sweet onions)
2 Cans (46 oz.) of Tomato Juice (any brand)
4-5 Cans Of Dark Red Kidney Beans (you could use light kidney beans if you like, sometimes I'll mix half light half dark) (any brand)
1 Can of Stewed Tomatoes (any brand)
Chili Powder
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (optional)
Sour Cream (optional)
Saltines or Oyster Crackers (optional)

I cut my Bell Pepper and Onion up in big chunks so its easier for my hubby to pick them out... You can cut them to any size you would like.

In skillet brown Ground Beef, Onion, & Bell Pepper

Drain thoroughly...
Once drained put ground beef mixture in either a crock pot or medium to large pot.

Add Both cans of Tomato Juice..

Then add the Kidney Beans & Stewed Tomatoes...

Now this is the part that I have never measured, but I started with 1/3 cup of Chili Powder.
When my mom told me this recipe, she said "Keep adding Chili powder till you get a nice brownish color" so...I'm going to tell YOU that too. :) 
I ended up adding more chili powder,after the 1/3 cup, till it looked right to me, so use your own discretion. Some of you might think this is spicy, but its not! Not at all, I don't like super spicy food and You know what they say, if its hot going in, then its hot coming out...  ツ
Really, its just gooood!

So... once you have a nice brownish color, and you have stirred it really well, turn your crock pot on high for at least 2 hours, then turn it down to low and cook on low for the rest of the day. If your cooking on the stove, bring it to a boil for a few minutes, then turn it down to a simmer...
I start mine in the morning and usually don't eat till after 6 and its usually "done" by then. (its really done before that, but the longer it cooks the better it is!!)

By the way, this ALWAYS tastes better on the second day ;) 

Add some Crackers, or not

Add some cheese and a dollop of sour cream (I forgot to buy the sour cream!)

These are both optional... 

I usually can only have one bowl, I always add so many crackers and some cheese that it fills me up to fast ;)

You can half this recipe, because this makes a lot! It would probably serve 4 people, two meals, or more.

Enjoy....

Tator Tot Casserole

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This is one of those recipes that you just know you are going to love!
Its filling and Oh so Good! 
Its a cheesy-potato comfort food and easy to make, and we all like easy!!
 All -in-one meals are so nice.
Its a keeper!

**Updated on 3-5-12 
This dish fed 2 of us for 3 nights!! Pretty good deal, if I say so myself! :D

Here is what you need:


* 1 1/2 lbs. of Ground Beef (not pictured because I already cooked it, opps)
* Onion powder to taste (you can use real Onion, but I don't because my husband doesn't like them..its a texture thing. If you use real Onion you would want 1 small Onion chopped small.
* 1 tablespoon of Minced Garlic, or equivalent in fresh. 
* 1 1/2 Cups of frozen Corn, or 1 can of Corn (we like frozen)
* 1 can of  Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
* 2 Cups of Cheddar Cheese
* 1/2 Cup of Milk
* 4 tablespoons of Sour Cream
* 1 bag of Ore-Ida Crispy Crowns  Tator Tots (they are the flat-ish ones.)

Set the Ore-Ida Crowns out on the counter to thaw a bit (I put mine on a paper towel)

In skillet, cook Ground Beef, Onion powder (or Onion) and Minced Garlic. When finished cooking, drain and set aside.

In a bowl combine Mushroom soup, Sour Cream, and Milk, stir until well blended...add the Hamburger Mix, 1 Cup of Cheese and the Corn, and gently mix till blended.

Grease a 13x9  Baking Dish  and put a layer of Tater Tots on the bottom, scoop  the meat mixer on top of Tater Tots and smooth it out. Add another layer of Tater Tots, then sprinkle remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes (I like my tater tots crispy,this dish will be done at 25-30 minutes if you don't like yours as crispy) Make sure they are golden brown though :)

Mmmmm!

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Cousin Teresa's Crock Pot Cabbage Soup

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We like to try new recipes, that are easy! Lets face it the same ole' thing every week gets boring..so when my cousin posted on Facebook that she was making some Cabbage Soup, it sounded really good, and real easy!! So I got the recipe from her, and gave it a whirl .... we weren't disappointed!  Yum!!

Here is what you need:
1. Cabbage
2. Celery
3. Carrots
4. Onion
5. Red Potatoes
6. Chicken Broth
7. Seasonings consisting of: Beau Monde Seasoning, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Salt, Celery Seed, Onion Powder
8. **  see below
Chop everything up...

Put it all in your crock pot...
Add the seasonings....
(pretty much to your taste) I just kind of winged it on amounts, and it was fine.I just added a "little more" at a time.

Don't worry if you cant find the Beau Monde Seasoning, just add some extra celery seed, salt and onion powder,thats pretty much all it is..





Cover the whole thing with Chicken Broth, (I used 3 lg. 32oz boxes of chicken broth) I have a large crock pot! Cook on low for about 8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours or until the cabbage and veggies are soft.

And the end result...Yum ~  Thank You Teresa!

Serve with some good sopping bread ( I was thinking some nice Italian Bread, but my little close by grocery doesn't have a fresh bakery!? So I had to go with what they had, French Bread...that was good too, but...wanted Italian) The funny thing was I never realized that they didn't have a bakery, granted I've only lived in this town for about 4 months...

**I added 3 strips of bacon for some extra flavor...
I was trying to think of another meat that would be good in there, besides corned beef :)
Any suggestions?

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