Thursday, October 23, 2014

Food for Thought : October is National Chili Month

October is National Chili Month. A hearty chili can be a filling and nutritious one-pot meal that usually can be made with ingredients you have on hand. While most chili starts with a basic base of meat and tomatoes, some can be very complex with vegetables, beans and other ingredients. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a healthful pot of chili:
1 .  When preparing chili, make sure you wash your hands frequently as you handle hot peppers. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to wear gloves. Be very careful not to touch your eyes, mouth or nose until you have thoroughly washed your hands.

2 .  Choose lean cuts of meat and add lots of beans. Try adding different types of beans such as black, small red beans, kidney beans and pinto beans. If using canned beans, drain and rinse these before adding to the pot.

3 .  Add whole grains such as barley or serve chili over brown rice.

4 .  Add extra vegetables. Onions, bell pepper, zucchini, squash, shredded carrots and celery make wonderful additions to your pot of chili.

5 .  Limit high-fat additions such as cheese, sour cream, and corn chips. A little of any of these is all you need to add a little extra flavor to your chili.

                        Mouth-watering Chili :

4 slices thick-cut apple smoked bacon, diced
3/4 pound chicken breast , cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon Emil's Southwest Seasoning, (recipe below )
2 medium onions, diced
1/2 red bell pepper , diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1 (14-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with juices
4 cups chicken broth 
3 cups water, plus more if needed
1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed and picked over
3-1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
                    Emil's Southwest Seasoning:

2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon dried oregano

Directions

1 .  In a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until the fat is completely rendered and the bacon is crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the bacon using a slotted spoon and set on the side. Add the cubed chicken, chili powder, cumin, and Southwest Essence to the hot rendered fat in the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is well browned, 4 to 6 minutes.
2 .  Add the onions, bell pepper, garlic and oregano and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes,broth, water and beans and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, partially cover the pot, and cook, stirring occasionally, until meat and beans are tender and sauce is thick and flavorful, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
3 .  (TIP : add more liquid if the sauce gets too thick before the beans are tender.)
4 .  When the beans are tender and sauce is thickened, add the brown sugar, ketchup, and mustard and cook until thick and flavors have come together, about 20 to 30 minutes longer.

Serve hot.

                Emil's Southwest Seasoning:
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Yield: 1/2 cup

 Words of Wisdom :

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.

Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.

Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it.

 

 
A proud  grandpoppa         G.

6 comments:

  1. Hi HB,
    My chili is pretty popular up here, especially on a cold day but I just have to try Emil's seasoning. It sounds spicy with a kick and a little heat. In fact it sounds delicious.
    I loved the first quote of your words of wisdom...it was beautiful. And so is the little pixie. I wonder if your grandkids found that one for you. The proud grandpoppa on the computer is very cute and funny but I thought you had more hair.
    Love and hugs
    Butterfly

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  2. I do so think chili is so good in cool or cold weather . I think I have eaten about 15 or 16 types of chili since moving here , pork , beef , chicken , sausage , some with beans and some without beans .
    The one I chose here is with beans . Yes the grands found that one for me , they say it make me look awesome and they also found the roving reporter . I am wearing a skin cap so Harvey will not know me .

    Please note , in the chili recipe that you only use 1 tablespoon Emil seasoning >We use more for the heat . you have to use it to your taste .
    My grands found that one for me a while back , they said they wanted me to use the Pixie because that was their MeMa (laughing my butt off) .
    Glad you like the quotes .
    Hugs and love
    HB

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  3. Poppa ,
    We are going to have the chili tonight when we gat home from the game . Mama put sausage in it and it taste so good , daddy let us taste it .
    Thank you poppa for putting MeMa little pixie on , we are happy you are using our grandpoppa at the computer , He is at daddy computer . Jenny said if you did not have MeMa pixie on your post this time she was going to be real mad at you . your post is so nice poppa .
    Wrote by Sha

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    Replies
    1. My dear sweet Grands ,
      I apologize for a next day replay , but as you know we had a very important football game yesterday .

      Grands ,
      You are so very welcome for the MeMa Pixie , she is cute is she not ? I promise I will use it more . I love the grandpa gif and thanks so very much .
      My dear Jenny , your MeMa gif is on my post , I do so love making all of you happy and please tell your brother to keep his clothes on (laughing my butt off).
      Yes the chili was delicious almost as good as your mama original one that Emil want to use in his Texas cook off .
      Love to all of you .
      Wrote by Poppa

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  4. Howdy Dad ,
    Good job , Emil said he was going to the Texas 'Chili Cookout" and wanted my original Chili recipe , he said he know he will have another winner .
    Love your post and thank you for the recipe , I hope you put them on when you do a food post .
    Thanks ...Your only daughter .

    PS: I see you put the pixie on .... now who is scared of the cubs Hahahaha!!!

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    Replies
    1. My dear Daughter ,
      Emil says he can win the cook off with your chili and the prize , Nita says he has tested it at Poppa's and they asked for seconds .

      I am thinking each time I write a post and it calls for food I will do a recipe .
      My daughter , you know you are welcome .
      Your loving Dad

      PS: My grands told me 2 months ago when they found her that they wanted me to use her sometime and named her MeMa ( laughing my butt off) . Jenny said to start using her or she would tell her daddy on me , I told her OK , when she saw it , I got so many kisses . I told my grands my job was making them happy .
      Dad

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Come on in , set awhile and have a cup of tea and cookies , as always you are welcome .