Chili

My husband needed a dish to pass for a potluck at work. He signed up for chili.

I don't think I've ever made the same recipe for chili twice. I have my basic ingredients and go from there.

This recipe is really simple. Most of the work involves opening all these cans.

Chili

2 (16 oz.) cans kidney beans

2 (16 oz.) cans pinto beans

2 (16 oz.) cans black beans

1 small chopped onion

1.5 lbs. lean ground turkey or beef

1 small chopped red pepper

6-ounce can tomato paste

28-ounce can diced tomatoes

2 Tbl. chili powder (more or less to taste)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. brown sugar

In a large pan combine beef/turkey, onion, red pepper and chili powder. Cook until meat is browned. Drain grease. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer on low heat for 1/2 hour or in crockpot on low for 5 hours. Serve with grated cheese and sour cream, if desired.

My Grandma's Banana Bread

At this time of year we'll take a break from healthy cooking, which for me means actually buying and using white flour and sugar. Yes, I only buy about one bag each per year and this year I actually shared the bags with my mother. And I do a lot of baking throughout the year, just not with white flour and sugar.

I actually prefer the taste of baked goods made with whole grain flour and other healthy ingredients, but in some cases I like to stick with the original recipe. And family holiday recipes fit this profile.

This Christmas has me craving nostalgic recipes. Thanks to my cousin Kathy for providing today's recipe:

Grandma's Banana Bread

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup soft shortening

2 eggs

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp. white vinegar

1 cup mashed banana (about 2)

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together and set aside flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Mix together and set aside milk and white vinegar.

Mix together sugar, soft shortening, and eggs. To the shortening mixture add the milk and vinegar. Then stir in the mashed banana. To this mixture add the dry ingredients. Pour into a well-greased 9x5x3: loaf pan.

Let stand for 20 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Nachos

This looks like a mess but it is delicious and super fast and easy for a week-night supper. You can add or substitute ingredients if you like, you really can't do it wrong. Enjoy!

Nachos

Baked Tostitos Scoops

One pound browned and crumbled ground beef or ground turkey

One packet taco seasoning mix

Shredded cheese, options: cojack, cheddar, Mexican-style cheddar-mozzarella

Salsa

Low-fat sour cream

Sliced green onions

Prepare ground meat and taco seasoning as directed on seasoning packet. Place Scoops on individual plates, placing them all bowl-side up. Spoon prepared taco meat over top. Sprinkle cheese over and microwave for about 30-40 seconds. Top with salsa, sour cream, and green onions.