Mom's Chili

The Backbencher's mom makes the best chili; an impressive feat when you consider she lives in a climate that allows people to eat chili for about 3 weeks every year. She sent me the recipe this weekend and I made a pot. Liturgygeek said that it was teh awesome, and so I decided to share the recipe with you.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb. of ground beef (or a combination of beef and sausage)

1 medium chopped onion

1 pkg. Chili-O seasoning

2 tsp. of cumin and paprika

1 tsp. of salt and pepper

1 can of stewed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste

1 cup of water

1 can of chili beans and kidney beans

1 beef bouillon cube

5 tbs. of chili powder

Directions

Brown ground beef in a large pot. While browning meat chop the onion. When the meat is browned add the onion and then season with the Chili-O, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes, sauce, paste, and water. Add the beans and the chili powder. Cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring often and adding more chili powder to taste if you so desire. Serve with tortillas, crackers, chopped onion, or cheese.

Spaghetti Sauce

Earlier this week, I made a Summertime spaghetti sauce.  While making this recipe, I learned that adding a little bit of brown sugar to a spaghetti sauce adds a welcome touch of sweetness to any sauce.

Potato Soup

The weather in SW Iowa is frigid.  To warm up, I made potato soup for me and Liturgygeek.  She loves my potato soup and in the interest of honesty (if not modesty) I must admit the soup is good.  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

2-3 baking potatoes peeled and chopped

1 medium onion chopped

1/2 gallon milk

1/2 cup butter

1 can(15 oz) chicken broth

pepper to taste

thyme to taste

8 oz. sour cheese

2 bags of cubed cheese (I like a combination of cheddar and monterey jack)

Combine potatoes, onion milk, butter, broth, pepper, and thyme.  Cook until boiling but make sure to stir often.  When soup starts bubbling add the sour cream and cubed cheese.  Stir until cheese is fully mixed in.  Serve with shredded cheese and bacon bits.