Daily Photo:

Nothing better than a big pot of chili when the snow is coming down (yet again!)

Chili
*Note: See below for optional crockpot instructions.

1 average size green bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 lb. ground beef
1-28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1-16 oz. can tomato sauce plus one can of water
2-16 oz. cans of beans – light or dark red kidney beans, black beans or any combo you like
Shredded cheddar cheese for topping

If preparing on the stovetop, heat a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. (*If you will be simmering this in a crockpot, you can just use a skillet.)

Saute green pepper and onion in a small amount of olive oil over medium heat until softened, approximately 10 minutes. While vegetables are sautéing, measure all the spices and combine in a small bowl.

Add garlic to vegetables and sauté 1 minute. Add spices and cook 1 minute more, stirring to prevent burning. Remove vegetable mixture from pan and set aside. (*Or place into crock pot.)

Brown ground beef. Drain excess fat, then add vegetables back to soup pot. (*Or add beef to crockpot.)

Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and water. Add beans. Bring to a simmer, then let cook slowly for 2 hours. (Or simmer 3-4 hours on low in crockpot.)

Top with shredded cheese and serve. Serves approximately 6-8.

It was a snowy wintry day here in PA today, so I
was cooped up in the apartment for most of the day.
I motivated myself to clean the bathroom (amazing!),
did some shovelling, and then decided to make some
chili. It turned out pretty good, although now I wish I
had made some cookies as well! But there’s still time!

The recipe originally came from Martha Stewart’s everyday
foods magazine, but I modified it a bit. Here’s a photo — as
you can see, I’m no food stylist!

Day 5 ended up with me sleeping after a long day.  I had a job interview in North Philly which I was skeptical about but ended up loving it.  It’s an intimate environment, I would be a lead teacher for about 30 neighborhood kids in an after school program.  It would involve other things than just teaching because it’s so small.  I wouldn’t get paid alot but I would get health, dental, and vision coverage which is what I need in life right now.  It went pretty well and I’m excited about taking the offer, it will be a great opportunity.  I also bought plane tickets to Manchester, England to visit friends.  I actually bought them on Monday but I got my ticket confirmation yesterday.  I’m really psyched about this trip, I haven’t seen my friends in England since I left in June, 2004.   I went to the gym, where I did weight training on my own for the first time.  I had to have my little chart with me and I tucked it into my pants when I didn’t need it.  I’m sure I got some stares on that one.  I went running as well, I didn’t do as great as I wanted to, only 2 miles.  I kept getting side stitches which hasn’t really happened much before.  Anyway……moving on.

I didn’t take a picture for Day 6, I should probably take one tomorrow.  I made vegetarian chili, and it was pretty good.  I consulted two books and decided on my spices.  I chopped a whole medium sized onion and sauteed it in olive oil, and added veggie crumbles to it.  I poured a little water in like a half a cup.  Then I added, a can each of tomato sauce, red and white kidney beans, black beans, and diced tomatoes.  The spices I added were cumin, paprika, chile powder, red pepper powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, black pepper, and a little salt.  I threw in some frozen peppers and onions, and a little hot sauce.  Then, I remembered I half a Dagoba dark chocolate bar with chile nibs in it, yup, I cut it up and threw it in the pot.  I let it simmer for a half hour, and it was pretty delish.  I ate it up with a salad and some cornbread.  The heat of it is very deceiving, I love when chili doesn’t seem too spicy at first but then after awhile it builds up and your nose starts clearing.  Mmmmmmm…..