Chili

 Here in Texas it’s pretty cold this week!  I realize many of you live in colder areas but it was 21 degrees last night and we have a chance of 12”of snow later this week!

So Chili was on the menu yesterday!  My Mom for as long as I can remember used Williams Chili mix so of course that is what I use. I even use it anytime a recipe calls for chili powder because often regular chili powder is kinda bland to me. I just keep a packet of Williams for that to use in recipes.

Once Sam’s Club sold it in the big spice container and I often wish I bought more than 2 of them because they stopped selling it and Amazon wanted way too much for it. I actually just checked and you can get two 18 oz plastic containers for $20.40!  I might have to order some before when I looked  it was like $22 -$25 for 1.

Chili really only takes about 15 minutes to make. I personally like more tomato sauce in mine so I often add more than the recipe calls for.  You can also add water instead of diced tomatoes or Rotel.  I often add a little water anyway with the tomatoes…. About 1/2 cup.

You can of course add beans, I just happen to not like beans at all.  I also seem to be a doubler so I did double this recipe.

Ingredients 

1lb hamburger meat

1 4oz can do tomato sauce (I use 8 oz can)

1/2 cup water

1 can can diced tomatoes, I use one with tomatoes and green chilis

4 Tbsp Williams Chili Mix - 1 packet

1/2 cup water

1 cup kidney or pinto beans if desired 

Directions 

Brown and crumble 1lb ground beef in a stockpot or deep skillet drain the grease 

Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and water then add the Williams Chili mix.

Let simmer for 10-15 minutes 

Top with shredded cheese

I have 2 lbs of meat here, normally I wouldn’t buy the tubes of meat BUT H‑E‑B has the best meat and this is ground chuck which I have bought for years!  It’s has true beef flavor and it’s my go too! I did add more tomato sauce because I do like mine that way but you can do as much as you’d like or go by the recipe.

 

Brown Hamburger Meat then drain the grease 

Grease from the meat

Add Rotel Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce and packet of Williams Chili Seasoning Mix

Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes 

I’ve grated my cheese for year… like over 25 years!  …I’ll write a post about that later!  

Fritos always go with Chili

Spicy Beef and Potato Soup

Here in Texas it is finally getting cold!  The low today was 33 degrees and it will warm up to nice 61 degrees.  

So let the soups began!

I thought that I got this recipe from my friend Shari who lives in Minnesota but a couple a years ago I was telling her how much I like this soup.  She had never had the soup so I have no idea where I got this recipe.

I will add about a tablespoon of Chicken Base to give it that heartiness. I do that with other things when it just needs something. I get my Chicken Base at Sam’s but you can get it at any grocery store.  

Also here is a great recipe for cornbread using Bisquick and cornmeal …. Like it’s even good the next day!

https://itsallaboutagoodrecipe.blogspot.com/search?q=Cornbread

 

Spicy Beef and Tomato Soup

1 lb lean ground beef

4 cups cubed peeled potatoes

1 small onion

1 lg can (29oz) tomato sauce

4 cups water

2 tsp salt

1 ½ tsp pepper

1 can rotel  or ½ to 1 tsp hot pepper sauce

1 Tbl chicken Base

 

In a large dutch oven or stick pan brown ground beef, drain the fat.  Add potatoes, onion & tomato sauce.  Stir in water, salt & pepper and rotel tomatoes.  Bring to boil; reduce heat & simmer 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender and the soup has thickened.

I do however cook the potatoes separate in a pan then I drain them and pour into the soup. 

 

Serves 6-8 about 2 qts

Here is the Chicken Base I use, I buy their Beef Base too it’s basically like adding chicken bouillon cubes but better.  I do however love Knorr’s chicken bouillon cubes that would work too.. they are soft and dissolve well.