Carole’s Secret Chili Recipe

My daughter said I’m still the best chili maker. Isn’t that sweet?

Her dad is a good cook too. She said he still uses my recipe, but he changed something and it’s not as good. (snicker, snicker…)

I went to look for the recipe to link it up here for you and I realized it’s not there anymore! Who knows what I did, but I’m fixing that right now.

This is an easy to throw together recipe, and it’s a great one to throw together and let simmer a little the night before so you have dinner ready when you come home from a cold busy day. Just heat it up on the stove instead of the microwave. It tastes better.

Carole’s Chili

1 lb. Lean ground beef, browned and drained

1 14.5 oz. Can petite diced tomatoes – not seasoned

1 12 oz. Can tomato paste, plus 1 can water

1 can dark red kidney beans – not seasoned

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon red pepper

¼ teaspoon cumin

Mix it all together, mixing very well. Bring to just boiling. Lower heat to very low. Cover and simmer for at least ½ hour. (Told you it was easy.)

Tastes better the next day.

Optional toppings – grated cheese, diced onion, oyster crackers

Serve with tossed salad and warm French bread.

And you know you can find more of my simple recipes here >>>

Enjoy!

Carole

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love pumpkin. Pumpkin bread, muffins, pie, pancakes…

I just stumbled across a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and I had to share it!

Enjoy!

Carole

Pumpkin Bread

Do you like pumpkin muffins, pancakes, bread…?

I don’t normally cook stuff like this, but I love pumpkin anything. Plus, pumpkin is really good for you. OK, minus the oil, sugar, and flour, but hey!

That’s why we eat healthy the rest of the time, right? So we can get away with some indulgence?

This recipe for pumpkin bread is easy, and it can bake while you do something else.

It makes 2 loaves.

Pumpkin Bread

1-16 oz. can pumpkin

4 eggs

1 cup oil

2/3 cup orange juice

3 ½ cups flour

3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 350 (F).

In a large bowl, mix pumpkin, eggs, oil, and juice until well blended.

In another bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture. Beat until smooth.

Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans – (9×5 or 8×5)

Bake at 350 for one hour or until bread tests done.

Cool on racks.

(do not try to cut into it before it cools. It will fall apart!)

Enjoy!

Did you pick up your Thanksgiving planner? It has more great seasonal recipes and nutrition info on some of your favorite Thanksgiving foods. You’ll be surprised at how healthy Thanksgiving Dinner really is!

Just pick up your planner in the upper right hand corner.

I Need Chocolate!

It’s National Chocolate Day!

Now that’s a holiday I want to celebrate – how about you?

Except, have you seen the price of truffles lately?

Now you can indulge, and save the bank account. Just in time for the holidays, I’m re-releasing the totally indulgant chocolate recipe e-book.

You can make your own truffles with easy chocolate truffle recipes – or any of hundreds of chocolate creations at YourFavoriteChocolateRecipes.com

Happy Chocolate Day!

Now, doesn’t that just put a smile on your face? J

Tomato Salads

Tomato - Cucumber Salad

Cut up slices of tomato and cucumber.

Sprinkle with Italian Dressing or Vinaigrette.

Add crushed Black pepper.

Let sit covered in the fridge until well chilled -

a couple of hours to blend flavors.

The Italian Version -

Cut up tomatoes and onions

Sprinkle with olive oil and vinegar

mixed with a little garlic and oregano.

No sitting time required. Eat up!

Create your own version. Want cucumbers and onions?

Like basil better than oregano?

Is red wine vinaigrette your favorite dressing?

Make it your way!

(recipes taken from Carole’s Cookbook)