Suffering With Joy

A Chili Way to Stay Warm

The last few days have been cold, windy and gray but today the sun is shining. 

When we got home from the fitness center today I made enough chili to last awhile because we’re due for colder sleety weather very soon.  Since hubby and I are both continuing to shake the colds we caught I thought a crock pot of chili would be just the thing.  My pot is, in Ozark-speak, “purt near” forty years old, works great and looks like this.  It’s one of the first that Rival made, so I guess you could say that I’m cooking with an antique!  For you old-timers out there, does this color bring back memories?

I don’t consider myself a great cook but Roger likes my soups and chilis and that’s what counts.  When it comes to the crock pot, I just throw things together.  Here’s my recipe which we both like because it has more veggies than most (in the interests of wellness).  I can’t tell you exact amounts because I generally don’t measure – just go by what looks to be about right and fill the pot nearly to the brim.  It smells great while it’s cooking!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds of cooked ground beef (because if it didn’t moo before it got to the store hubby won’t eat it)

1 can of black beans, drained (we both prefer these)

1 large can of Ro*tel tomatoes, drained

1 can of corn drained, or the equivalent of frozen corn

1 whole fresh green pepper chopped (I use the peppers we grew in the Earthboxes® and chopped and froze)

1 handful of sliced jalapeños diced

a couple of chopped celery stalks with leaves

1 can of cheddar cheese soup or nacho soup (if you can’t eat wheat then use Velveeta to get the cheesy touch)

garlic and onions to taste

Seasoning:

About 3 tablespoons of Williams® chili seasoning (I just shake the container till it looks about right for the taste) or one packet of Williams® from the grocery store

3-4 shakes of cayenne pepper

I use the cayenne because it gives another kind of “hot” to the chili and is great for sore throats.  You will be guaranteed to have to blow your nose when you’re finished eating a bowl.  It really opens the sinuses and clears the chest.  Here’s what it looks like when it’s ready.

Tags: recipe, wellness

3 Comments to A Chili Way to Stay Warm

1. 

   Looks fantastic – and I laughed out loud as I read the recipe! I may have to try it, but all my crockpots died. Hope you stay warm!
Lynn on January 26th, 2010
2. 

   Barb,
   This looks really yummy. We love chili in my house, especially my husband who is originally from Texas. I’ll have to give this one a try
Mary333 on January 30th, 2010
3. 

   So glad you like it. I used to live in Dallas and I have two brothers and a sister there, as is my 87 year old mother. There’s nothing like Tex-Mex chili and Texas barbeque! Let’s hear it from the Lone Star State!
barb on January 31st, 2010