Falling Rain...Football...Food

 

What a day to be under the weather. And there is certainly plenty of "weather" to be under. It doesn't look like we will get the predicted 14 inches. Still, a lot of rain has fallen and it's not over yet.

Fortunately there has been plenty of football on television to keep us entertained today. Sadly, in the first game, Daddy-O's team lost. In the second game, it's not looking good for Boyfriend's team. We don't have any big fans for the third game that will be on later, but that's the college that my dad attended and loved. And that college was my employer for ten years. So I'll pull for the Tigers to win tonight.

Since we are all staying in, I put supper on the stove this afternoon. It can simmer until someone gets hungry. I made a double batch of chili and beans. There will be plenty to put in the freezer (I think) for another game day. Because I knew my energy was low, I chopped the peppers and onions this morning and measured the seasonings. This afternoon, I only had to brown the meat and vegetables and mix it all together. It seems like it's less work when it's done in steps like this.

DAMN GOOD CHILI

2 lbs. extra lean ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 8-oz. can tomato sauce

1 8-oz. can water

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I used the refrigerated jarred kind)

1 teaspoon salt

1 16-oz. can light red kidney beans, drained & rinsed

*1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes

Brown meat, onion and green pepper in large skillet. Put into large Dutch oven or stockpot. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer for 2-3 hours.

*I add a single 15-oz. can of diced tomatoes to the recipe whether I'm making a single, double or triple batch. The original recipe didn't call for this but I thought it needed to look "redder." Other than that, I never stray from the original recipe.

Interesting fact—this recipe came from a 1977 ad for Presto pressure cookers. I found it in the booklet that came with my first pressure cooker and I've been making it ever since. I also won 1st prize with this recipe at our church contest in 2012.