Grandma's Chili

This is my best notes from Mom's info about Grandma Costley's chili. I made it for a  Halloween Party and it was devoured!

For the meat, follow the Italian Meat Sauce recipe on the blog, but stop at Tomatoe paste on the ingredient list. I used two pound of meat for this recipe:

4 ounces white mushrooms , cleaned, stems trimmed, and broken into rough pieces
1 large slice high-quality white sandwich bread , torn into quarters Mom removes crust

2 tablespoons whole milk Mom uses half and half

Table salt and ground black pepper
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef (see note and related content)Mom buys the 5lbs of Ground Beef at Costco and doubles this recipe for that much meat
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion , chopped fine (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 Cup Finely chopped Celery
6 medium garlic cloves , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon tomato paste

Follow the prep and cooking directions for the meat. 

Meanwhile, in a Crock Pot, on High add:

6 can of chili beans (pinto and/or kidney) drain 3 cans, and use the juice from the other 3

1 1/2 Cups Ketchup

2 cans of V-8

2 tsp Chili Powder

5 bay leaves

Let those ingredients simmer while you prepare the meat. 

Add meat directly from skillet, and let everything simmer for an hour or more. Before serving check to see if you need more salt. Serve warm with corn bread. 

Patio Beans (a delicious version of baked beans!!!)

8 slices bacon (add more if you wish)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb can baked beans such as Bush's (I like the kind with brown sugar)
1 lb can kidney beans, drained
1 lb can lima beans, drained
1/4 pound sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Fry bacon until crisp.  Saute onion in bacon drippings.  Combine in large casserole the beans, cheese, brown sugar and seasonings.  Stir in the onion and bacon which has been crumbled.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees until heated thoroughly and bubbly.  Serves 6.

This is a great BBQ side dish and freezes great, too!

Taco Soup

Serves 10-12 (or serve half and then freeze the other half for later)
From Kerri
Prep 15 min

Combine in a large pot the following:

2 lbs ground beef, browned with chopped onion
1 C water
1 packet Taco Seasoning (or make your own taco seasoning-see below), dissolved into water
1 can pinto beans
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 28 oz can tomatoes (can be diced, or whatever consistency you would like)
(nothing needs to be pre-drained, just pour it into the pot)

Heat it up.

Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, and grated cheese.

Taco Seasoning Recipe
(This makes quite a bit so you can make it and store what is left in a ziploc bag with your other spices. About 2-3 Tbs does the trick for this recipe)
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons chili powder (regular chili powder, not cayene unless you like a lot of heat)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon paprika
3 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper

Black Bean Lasagna

Mexican Black Bean Lasagna

Great family dinner. To lower the spice level, use less jalapeno, chili powder, and purchase mild enchilada sauce.

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped (I do less to keep down the spice)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed
1 C frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 tsp chili powder (I do less to keep down the spice)
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice, plus wedge for serving
1/2 C fresh cilantro, chopped
1 10-oz can red enchilada sauce
9 small corn tortillas
6 oz Muenster cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)
Optional: Sour cream and hot sauce for serving

1. Heat oven to 425. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the jalapenos, bell pepper and garlic and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the beans, corn and chili powder and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro.

2. Spread 1/4 C enchilada sauce on the bottom of an 8 in square or 1 1/2 qt baking dish. Top with 3 tortillas, tearing them to fit. Spread a third of the remaining enchilada sauce on top. Top with a third of the bean mixture and 1/2 C cheese; repeat twice.

3. Bake until the lasagna is heated through and the top is beginning to brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve with cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, and hot sauce, if desired.

(from Woman's Day magazine)