Best Chili Ever!

Fixed a big pot of Chili today, and this recipe makes the absolute best Chili ever!  Some of the more unusual ingredients are dark beer, strong-brewed coffee and cocoa powder. 

Ever since receiving the recipe from a friend a few years ago, it is the only Chili that I make.  Of course, I have made a few changes to the recipe to suit our taste.  

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle dark beer
• 1 cup strong strong brewed coffee
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained
• 2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained
• 4 fresh Anaheim peppers, seeded and chopped

Directions:

In a large saucepan, cook ground beef, onions and garlic until the meat is well browned and the onions are tender (about 10 minutes).

Mix in all the remaining ingredients.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours.

The recipe does require a long list of ingredients, but is really easy to prepare and tastes delicious.  Makes 8-10 servings. 

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Homemade Kahlua

Homemade Kahlua in fancy colored bottles!  

A couple of years ago, my sister-in-law gave us a bottle of Kahlua that she had made.  It was delicious, and I finally asked her for the recipe.  It is surprisingly easy to make, and the pretty glass bottles were on sale for 50% off this week at Hobby Lobby.  The Art Philosophy cartridge was used to cut some labels from White Daisy cardstock and Glitter Paper, then stamped using the Crafted With Love stamp set and attached to each bottle with some Baker's Twine.  Hope our friends enjoy adding a splash of Kahlua to their coffee or hot cocoa this winter. 

Homemade Kahlua

2 quarts Distilled Water (separated)

2 ounces Folgers instant coffee

6 cups sugar

1 ½ ounces Vanilla (pure, not imitation)

1 fifth (750 ml) Everclear or Vodka

Using two saucepans, add 1 quart of Distilled Water to each and bring to a boil.  In one pan, add Folgers instant coffee and remove from heat.  In other pan, add the sugar until it is completely dissolved and the mixture is slightly thickened.  Remove from heat.  Allow both liquids to cool to room temperature, then pour into a gallon pitcher along with the Vanilla and Everclear/Vodka.  Bottle and enjoy ~ does not need refrigeration. 

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

The Pioneer Woman Cooks

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Ranch Wife by Ree Drummond


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This cookbook is such a joy to read - Ree (The Pioneer Woman) shares her personal life, her recommendations for basic kitchen tools, and wonderful step-by-step recipes with beautiful color photos - all along with her delightful sense of humor.

What I really like about her recipes is that they use "real" food - not a bunch of fancy stuff, but real ingredients that you are likely to have on hand and are easy to find in any grocery store. Since following her blog, we've prepared several of her recipes and everything is really good.

View all my reviews >>

One of our favorites is her Whiskey-Glazed Carrots - they are truly yummy. Even though this recipe isn't in the cookbook, it is available in the Cooking section of The Pioneer Woman blog. This is a picture of our first batch and as you can see, I even bought a cast-iron skillet so that I could prepare the recipes just as Pioneer Woman recommends. Even though I was dreading the cleaning of a frying pan without a 'non-stick' surface, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to clean the skillet. Just run hot water over the pan and wipe with a nylon scrubber - easy, peasy clean-up. Be sure to dry thoroughly to prevent the iron from rusting.

Some of our other recommendations are Buttered Rosemary Rolls, Marlboro Man's Second Favorite Sandwich, and Chicken Spaghetti. Let me know if you have a favorite Pioneer Woman recipe!

'Better Than Anything' Cake!

Yes, this cake is just as 'yummy' as it looks! It is an absolutely delicious cake - and very easy to make. Simply bake a German Chocolate cake according to the package directions. After baking, add sweetened condensed milk, caramel topping, whipped topping, and toffee bits. For the complete recipe, refer to page 33 of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book from Close To My Heart. Yes, you read right - find a cooking recipe while browsing through the Idea Book with the stamps, inks and paper.


Each year, CTMH releases three Idea Books and they are full of fun and creative ideas to use your stamps and inks. And in the most recent Autumn/Winter book, there is also a great recipe. Give it a try, the cake is very moist and delicious!