Beef and Black Bean Chili

And here is the chili recipe from my friend, Holly. I doubled the recipe and it made a stock pot plus my big crock pot. In most cases you probably wouldn't need that much. With all 12 of us we ate just about one regular recipe worth. Oh, also, I just threw everything into the pots and let it simmer all day.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. Lean ground beef (I put a 1 lb.)
2 chopped yellow onions
2 Sliced celery sticks
1 yellow bell pepper
10 oz fresh white mushrooms, quartered
1 Jalapeno pepper, deseeded and minced
1 large minced garlic clove
2 (14 1/2 oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 (15 1/2 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups water
2 tb. Tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder (I put red pepper flakes instead, better on the tummy afterward)
1 tsp cummin
1 tsp dried oregano, crumbled
1/2 tsp sea salt
3 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
Nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray (I used vegetable oil)

Directions:
Spray a large nonstick saucepan with nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned, about 3-5 minutes. Drain off any fat.

Add the onions, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms, jalapeno, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened – about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes, beans water tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the chili is thickened – about 45 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

To provide a texture contrast and an attractive presentation, and to break up some of the spiciness, top each serving with 1/4 diced avocado tossed with finely chopped red onion and a splash of lime juice.

I added Lime to the chili once it was done.. Took it up a notch..

Melanie's Delicious Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Per recommendations on Sunday night, here is the recipe for Mel's fabulous cake. I didn't totally do it in Melanie fashion as I did use Pillsbury Fudge Chocolate frosting. Anyone have an amazing chocolate frosting recipe to share?

1/2 c. softened butter
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs
1/2 c. sour milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 1/2 c. flour
4 TBSP cocoa
1/2 tsp bkg pwdr
1 tsp bkg soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
2 c. finely grated zucchini
3/4 c. chocolate chips

Cream first 2 ingredients. Add eggs, vanilla, milk; beat well. Mix dry ingredients add (beat well). Stir in zucchini and 1/4 c. chocolate chips. Pour in greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle 1/2 c. chocolate chips on top of batter. Bake at 325 for 40-45 minutes.

Taco Bake

Taco Bake

CRUST:
2 cups flour
1 pkg. instant yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp.)
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. minced onion, fresh
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. crushed corn chips (Fritos were used in demo I saw)
2/3 c. very warm water - not hot but not lukewarm either
2 Tbsp. olive oil

In a food blender, combine flour, yeast, sugar, onion, salt and corn chips. Pulse to combine. With motor running, pour in water and oil. Pulse to mix until dough comes together in a ball. Spread in a greased, 9-inch cake pan across bottom and up the sides. Cover with a towel and let sit in a warm area (not on oven) for 30 min - 3 hours.

FILLING:
1 pound hamburger
1 envelope taco seasoning or homemade (see Taco Seasoning recipe)
1/3 c. water

Cook hamburger, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain off fat (and/or wash with hot water) and add taco seasoning and water. Combine thoroughly and simmer 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to bake.

Pour meat into crust and bake 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees or until golden brown. Serve with salsa, grated cheese, sour cream, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and avocado chunks.

Taco Seasoning

I don't usually use packaged taco seasoning - except for recipes that call for it, but if you do, here's a recipe to make your own and it's SIMPLE... plus you probably have most everything on hand. An added bonus... there aren't any additives, like packaged taco seasoning has a lot of times. The lady who made it said she sometimes makes 8-10 times the recipe and then just scoops out 2 Tbsp (which is what this should makes) for each pound of meat. Anyway, I'm using it for a Taco Bake today... thought I'd share.

Taco Seasoning:
2 tsp. dried, minced onion
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper (can omit or lessen if you want it less spicy)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/3 c. water

Use in place of 1 envelope of taco seasoning after 1 pound of ground turkey or ground beef is cooked. Add the 1/3 c. water and simmer with the cooked ground meat.