Chili

Today I'm making chili.  The original recipe is from my mother-in-law's friend Mima.  It's so good.  Really, so good.

The original recipe is way better than my version, but I don't feel like spending that much money on one meal, so I use considerably less meat.  I put what I change in green.  I've also never made only one batch at a time.  I generally make 2-4 batches at a time.  It freezes really well.  And seriously, it's really good.

1 large (30.5 oz.) can Brooks chili beans (mild or hot) I use 2 cans of S&W--it used to by owned by growers, which makes even the canned chili beans just a little more special.
2 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes You can mix up what kinds you use.  I usually use half plain and half flavored.
2 green peppers seeded and coarsely chopped  These are so good.  Today I used red peppers
2 large onions chopped  I usually skimp on this part.  I hate cutting onions
2 cloves garlic chopped fine
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley  This is the really good part.
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef  I usually only use a pound
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground pork  I've never used pork in it
2 - 3 T. chili powder  I usually use less than this--I'm kind of a wimp.
salt  I always forget this part
1/4 t. pepper
1 t. cumin
Brown beef and pork with onion until lightly browned. Drain well. Combine all the rest
in a large crock pot and cook on low setting for 8 to 12 hours. I generally speed this up some because I forget how long it takes to cook.  Adjust seasonings to taste.

Brunch

I hosted a brunch on Friday. The food turned out yummy. Here are three recipes I used -

Vanilla Dip (for fruit)

1 lg container cool whip, thawed
1 lb plain yogurt
1 small pkg vanilla instant pudding

Mix together well. Serve with assorted fruits.


Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, room temp
¼ cup mayonnaise
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
¼ cup mozzarella cheese, grated
1 clove garlic, finely minced
¼ tsp garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste

Cream all together.

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
½ cup spinach, chopped (I used frozen)

Stir in to creamed mixture. Spread in 9x13 pan that has been sprayed with oil.

Romano tomatoes, diced and juice drained (I forgot to buy tomatoes; it was still good)
¼ cup mozzarella cheese, grated

Top dip with tomatoes and cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until top is browned. Serve with crackers, veggies, toasted bread...


Sausage Bake

8 – 11 slices bread, cubed
1 lb sausage, browned
2 ½ cups cheese, shredded

Layer in order in 9x13 pan that has been sprayed with oil.

8 eggs
3 ¼ cups milk
1 tsp dried mustard powder

Blend in blender and pour evenly in pan. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ cup milk

The next morning whisk together soup and milk in saucepan over med heat until warm. Pour over casserole. Cover and bake at 325 for 40 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake 20 – 30 minutes longer. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Apple Crisp

Tonight for dinner we had apple crisp.  It was mighty tasty.  We even took a picture so you could all enjoy.  I adapted it from a allrecipies recipe.  Don't worry we had leaves, too.  It's not like we would just have apple crisp.

1 quart jar bottled apple slices (Thanks, Kelly)
~1/2 cup sugar
some nutmeg
lots of cinnamon
   - Mix these together and put in 9x13 pan

1 cup flour
1 cup oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter
   - Mix these together and put on top.

Bake at 350 until it's bubbly and brown.
link to original recipe

Why can't we all be pandas?

Here's how it went down:
We need a snazzy title.
Recipe blog. . .recipes. . .food. . .all the good ones are taken.
We like food.
We don't like food.
We like to eat. (It suggested Andrea likes to eat  - which is true, and We like to eat Andrea - which is NOT true)
Eats, shoots, and leaves.
Taken!  Really?
Well, guess we can't all be pandas.
And - there you go!