Janey Gibson's Chili

My grandmother taught me to make her midwest-style chili.  It's a staple in my family and my sister asked me to post it, so here it is.

Ingredients 
2 pounds ground beef
1 bell pepper (diced)
1 small onion (diced)
2-3 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
Vegetable Juice
Chili powder
Brown hamburger with onions and bell peppers.  Drain. In stock or crock-pot, add all ingredients.  Pour vegetable juice in last to desired consistency.  Sprinkle entire top with chili powder.  Stir.
Stockpot:  Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer.
Crockpot: In early morning, turn on low and cook all day...or cook on high for 2 hours.

Creamy Chicken Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 pork chops
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 (14.5 ounce) can chicken or vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute until translucent. Add pork chops and brown about 4 to 6 minutes each side, stirring often to avoid burning onions and garlic.
2. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk together soup and broth. Pour soup mixture over browned chops, stirring well to loosen onions and garlic and to deglaze skillet. Reduce heat and gently simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring and turning chops occasionally, until chops are cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160 degrees F/70 degrees C). Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Stewed Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 6 to 8 ripe tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 3 tablespoons sugar (more or less)
• 1 small bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Preparation:

Core tomatoes; place in boiling water for about 15 to 20 seconds, then into ice water to cool quickly; peel. Cut tomatoes in wedges. In Crock Pot, combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low 8-9 hours. Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle top with parsley, if desired. Serve as a side dish or freeze in portions for soups or other recipes.
Serves 6.
Recipe may be doubled.

Spinach & Basil Tilapia

Ingredients
2/3 bag fresh spinach
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup white wine
3 T butter
1 lemon
garlic powder
onion powder
salt
pepper
(or Emeril's Essence seasoning or other favorite mixed seasoning)
Tilapia

Directions
line a baking pan with spinach
sprinkle chopped basil over top
place tilapia on top
in microwave or saucepan, melt butter with wine
Squeeze in lemon and stir together
Pour over top of tilapia then sprinkle with spices
Cover with foil and bake at 450 for 15 minutes.


This recipe was given to me by my friend Carolyn.  I thought it sounded so good and I didnt' want to wait, so I tried it with chicken breasts instead (since I didn't have the fish).  I baked it at 375 for 30 minutes instead. 

Microwave Rice

In a 2 qt. microwave safe dish combine 2 cups water and 1 cup rice.  Cover and microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes.  Reduce setting to 50% power, microwave for 15 minutes.  Let stand for 5 minutes.

These directions are found on the back of Mahatma-brand rice and I am forever throwing the bag away only to find I have purchased some other brand because it is a better deal on that day and then I'm sad when I have to cook it on the stove top.  :)
 

Kool Aid Playdough

Kool Aid Playdough

• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 cups salt
• 2 Kool Aid packages
• 2 cups boiling water

Mix dry ingredients together. Add boiling water. Knead on floured board.

Black Bean Chipotle Soup

Ingredients
1 pound dry black beans
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 yellow onion, diced
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 can (4 oz.) chopped mild green chilies, drained
6 cups vegetable stock
2 teaspoons cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings:  sour cream, chunky-style salsa, fresh chopped cilantro
 Directions
Rinse and sort beans and place in large bowl; cover completely with water.  Soak 6 to 8 hours or overnight.  Drain beans; discard water
Place beans in a slow-cooker. 
Add all other ingredients.
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4.5-5 hours
If desired, process mixture in blender, in 2 or 3 batches to desired consistency, or leave chunk.  Serve with optional toppings.