Two for One!

I have been on the hunt lately for new recipes for my family to expand our repertoire of dinner meals. This chili recipe (slightly adapted) comes from the Weight Watchers cookbook that I happened upon at a family member's house. Dieting or not, they have some really tasty meals! I have also included a recipe for sweet cornbread, which comes from a friend I met in college.

SPICY CHILI

Ingredients:

4 t. olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
3/4 lb ground beef
1 T chili powder
2 t ground cumin
1 t oregano
1/2 t ground coriander
1-14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1-16 oz. can pinto or red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 chopped fresh cilantro

Garnishes to taste:
fresh cilantro, chopped
sour cream
chopped red onion


Directions:

1. Chop all the vegetables. This is easily the most intense part of this recipe.


2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Saute the onions, carrot, celery, peppers, and garlic until the onions are translucent, about 15 minutes.

3. Add the beef and cook until no longer pink.

Note: To save money, I generally buy higher fat hamburger. I prefer to cook the meat separately so I can drain the excess fat before adding the beef to the vegetables. I'll add the meat when it is still slightly pink so it can absorb some of the flavor of the vegetables before being fully cooked.

4. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and coriander. Cook for 1 minute longer to allow spices to soak in.

5. Add the tomatoes, beans, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cilantro.

6. Serve, topped with sour cream and red onion and additional cilantro if you like.


This chili freezes very well, just don't add the cilantro until you're ready to serve it.

SWEET CORNBREAD
sorry, no pictures!

Ingredients:

1 c corn meal
3 c flour
1 1/3 c sugar
2 T baking powder
1 t salt
2/3 c oil
6 T butter, melted
4 eggs
2 1/2 c milk

Directions: preheat oven to 350

1. Combine all wet ingredients.

2. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

3. Pour batter into a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 min. Alternately, you may cook this as muffins instead, baking for only 12-18 minutes. Makes approx. 3 dozen muffins.

from the kitchen of laura w.