Tuesday, 4/27/2010

Last night after putting Katie to bed, I made up a batch of chili. We've got a very busy week ahead of us this week and it seemed like a good idea to get that one out of the way early. We found this recipe on the Food Network a couple years ago. We've doubled the beef broth and tomato sauce quantities, but left the rest the same.

CHILI
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds ground beef (we like to use 1 lb leanest beef and 1 lb not so lean)
2 (14-ounce) cans low sodium beef broth (the low sodium is definitely preferred)
2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce

Batch one:
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules (we found bouillon granules on the grocery store isle with the Mexican food ingredients)
1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules

Batch two:
5 tablespoons red chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon brown sugar

Batch three:
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

In a large heavy bottom pot (we use a dutch oven) heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and drain off the excess grease. Add the tomato sauce and the beef broth and simmer for 1 hour in covered pot. Uncover the pot for the rest of the preparation. Add all of the ingredients from Batch one, stir and simmer for 35 more minutes. Add Batch two to the pot and cook for another 20 minutes, stirring often. Add Batch three and cook for 10 more minutes.

Tonight we topped our chili with shredded cheddar cheese and scooped it with tortilla chips. I tried to serve Katie some chicken and stars baby food, but she would have nothing to do with it. She only wanted our chili. I even attempted to trick her by pouring some of the baby food into my empty bowl, serving it to her with my soup spoon. She was too smart for that. So, she had chili for dinner and loved it! Guess since she only wants to eat what we eat, we better start eating more vegetables for dinner.