Chili

This is my son's recipe.  He's a very good cook and this is his now almost-famous "Game Day Crockpot Chili" recipe.


(2.25) pounds beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
(1) purple sweet onion chopped fine
(1) green bell pepper chopped fine
Chipotle chilies in adobo to taste (start with adding one chopped)
(2) jalapeños gutted and chopped fine
(1) 4 oz. can chopped green chilies
(1) 16 oz. can red kidney beans
(1) 16 oz. can red beans in chili sauce
(1) 16 oz. can crushed tomatoes
(1) 16 oz. can diced tomatoes
(1) 14 oz. can low sodium beef broth
2 Tablespoons chili powder
2 Tablespoons ground cayenne pepper
black pepper to taste
Garlic salt to taste
12 oz. Bottle of Sam Adams or 805 Firestone beer
1 can tomato paste
12 oz. jar Grape jelly, (yes the whole jar)
1  heaping Tablespoon Grey Poupon Mustard
Olive oil

Brown meat in EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), add onions and bell pepper. Combine browned meat, onions and bell pepper to crockpot with all remaining ingredients.  Cook on low for 10 hours or  over night. Let chili cool with lid off to thicken up and serve.

The Most Amazing Light Tasting Cream Cheese Frosting

Top Secret....
8 oz. whipped cream cheese
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 of a quart of heavy  whipping cream

Cream together cream cheese, vanilla extract and powdered sugar until creamy.  With a beater, begin to add the heavy whipping cream until smooth (stiff-ish).  Refrigerate overnight before frosting the cake.

So yummy!  Good on spice cake, lemon cake and red velvet cake.  I think I'll try substituting lemon extract next time on the lemon cake.

Turkey Meatball Submarine Sandwiches

I  made these last night.  They were super easy and delicious.  Next time I'll plan ahead to make extras to freeze.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:
1 package ground turkey (16 oz.)
1/2 cup Italian Bread Crumbs *
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. Montreal Steak Spice
1 jar marinara sauce
6-12 slices provolone cheese
6 steak/sandwich rolls

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix together turkey, bread crumbs, garlic salt, parmesan cheese, egg, olive oil, and Montreal steak spice.  Form meat mixture into 1-1/2" balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes or until fully cooked.

While meatballs are cooking, heat sauce in a small saucepan on low or in the microwave.  Slice rolls almost all the way through and place your desired amount of cheese slices on the rolls.  When meatballs are done cooking, lightly toast buns and melt cheese in oven.  Use broiler if desired.

Top each roll with 3-4 meatballs, cover with heated marinara sauce and enjoy!

*If you don't have Italian bread crumbs you can add 3 tsp. Italian spice, or 1 tsp. dried basil, 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1 tsp. dried parsley.

Chicken Divan

Mom's recipe via her sister, my Aunt Ro. <3

3 pound broiler/fryer chicken, boiled and deboned
2 pkgs. of frozen broccoli spears cooked and drained


1 can each Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken soup mix
1 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. curry powder
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Mix soup, mayo, curry, and lemon juice together.

Spray a 9"x13" pan with non-stick spray.  Layer with broccoli then chicken, pour soup mixture over all.  Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.  Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.


Notes:  Now a day, I would used a deli chicken to save time. :)

Chile Macaroni a la Esther

1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 small onion diced
1 small green bell pepper, diced
salt, pepper and garlic salt (to taste)
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 small can diced, stewed tomatoes
1 cup dried (uncooked) elbow macaroni noodles

Brown meat in a large skillet, drain off any grease.  Add onion, bell pepper and seasoning.  Cook until vegetables start to soften.  Add tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes.

You can either cook the macaroni noodles separately or add them dry to cook in the meat and vegetable mixture by adding additional water and simmering until they are cooked.  I cook the macaroni in the skillet so I have less pans to clean. :)

Can top with shredded cheese (yummy!) but also, good without.  Add red pepper flakes it you want something spicier.  The red pepper flakes may also be added to individual servings to cater to a multitude of palate preferences.

This is my mother in law's recipe.  She doesn't measure anything... but I think you get the idea.  It is yummy and quick.  I like to serve it with garlic bread and a salad...sometimes, canned peaches too. 

To give it more of an Italian flavor, add Italian seasoning.  For a Mexican flair, add chili powder and diced green chilies...maybe some corn.

Fudge-microwave recipe

This recipe is quick and easy to make and has never failed me.  Oh, so yummy!!

16 oz. powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)
1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup milk
1/4 pound margarine or butter
1 Tablespoon Vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Sift powdered sugar and cocoa powder in a large glass MW safe bowl.  Add milk and margarine/butter, but don't stir.  Microwave for 2 minutes on HIGH.  Add vanilla and stir just enough to blend.  Pour mixture into an 8-9 inch square pan, lined with aluminum foil (metal is fine at this point).  Sprinkle with chopped nuts, freeze for 20 minutes or refrigerate for an hour until hardened.  Cut into bite sized treats when firm, Makes 1-1/4 pounds of deliciousness.

Chile Colorado Notes a la Esther

Stew meat, brown in oil with onion and garlic
add flour to coat meat with Gebhart's Chili Powder
cumin
all spice or cinnamon
salt
bay leaf
cloves
broth or water to cover, simmer until thick and meat is tender