Chili Contest: Entry #1 – Crock Pot Chili

As today brings with it the 4th week of college football (and another Illini win!?), I can’t believe no one has asked, “Where’s the chili!?”

In case you were wondering and just hadn’t spoken up yet…voila!

I started off this season’s chili contest with a crock pot recipe — perfect for an evening game and from the looks of it, a very traditional recipe. I enjoyed this recipe a lot – and it’s packed with vegetables and beans.

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Crock Pot Chili from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

1 pound lean (90/10) ground sirloin
2 cans of diced tomatoes with jalapenos
2 cans red kidney beans, drained
2 cups water
1 packet of chili seasoning
2 tomatoes, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, diced
2 tsp black pepper
3 Tbsp cumin

Directions:

Put the crock-pot on low heat. Add the canned tomatoes, kidney beans, water, and chili seasoning and mix well. Add in the diced tomatoes, green pepper, onion, and garlic. Cover.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat the ground beef, cumin, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is heated through. Drain the grease and add to crock-pot. Cover crock-pot and cook on low for 8 hours. Yield: 11 cups.

Nutrition Information (per cup): 172 calories; 4.2 g. fat; 22 mg. cholesterol; 505 mg. sodium; 19.4 g. carbohydrate; 5.3 g. fiber; 14.4 g. protein

Result: A great start to the chili season! This was a thick, very spicy, traditional meat and bean chili. It was simple to make and reheated well. The nutrition stats are impressive, too. Mr. Prevention may have preferred this chili to me, even. I got a text message one day saying, “I had some of the chili for lunch and I really like the flavor.” That’s a pretty big compliment coming from that hubby of mine. Beware: not for the heat weenies…this is spicy!

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I have to brag about my sub-30 5K that I completed yesterday. But I must confess that my run involved lots of traffic and 2 quick water breaks at my brother’s work (I just ran in to grab a sip from the water fountain and say hi). Even with the 3-4 breaks, that was a quick pace for this caboose – I was pleased!

Chili, lesson planning, and the Illini game are on the agenda today. Tonight is the bachelorette party for my friend, Christine, who is marrying my friend AJ in just a few weeks. It should be a blast! I am signing off until Monday as I am going to be en route as early as possible tomorrow to spend some time with Mr. Prevention on his birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. PREVENITON! XOXO!

Question: How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

See you soon!