The Cook's Corner

Welcome to my kitchen! It's rainy and windy here in my part of

North Carolina today. Just perfect weather to put something hearty and delicious in the crockpot and let it simmer all day.

My mother-in-law, Ann, is a WONDERFUL cook!!!!

I was so fortunate many years back when she assembled ALL of her

personal recipes and favorites and entrusted them to me in a family cookbook.

Today I want to share a SIMPLE SUPPER.

With her permission, here is her recipe for quick and easy

CLASSIC CHILI.

I like to use my crockpot for this recipe but if you are in a hurry

you can prepare this recipe in a Dutch Oven on the stove top.

I will give instructions for both.

Let's take a look at the recipe and ingredients:

CLASSIC CHILI

Makes 8 Servings

1/2 cup Green pepper, chopped

2 medium Onions, about 1 cup, chopped

1 stalk Celery, about 1/2 cup, chopped

1 1/2 pounds, Lean Ground Beef

1 teaspoon Fresh Garlic, finely chopped or minced

3 cans Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies, undrained

2 cans Kidney Beans, 15-oz., undrained

2 tablespoons Chili Powder

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons ground Cumin

1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt

1 teaspoon Sugar

1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground Cayenne Pepper

Step 1. Cook green pepper, onions, celery, garlic and ground beef

in a Dutch Oven or skillet over medium heat,

stirring occasionally, until meat is browned. About 10-12 minutes.

Drain off fat.

At this point I transfer the beef mixture to my crockpot.

If you are using the stove top method

you will leave the mixture in your Dutch Oven.

Step 2. Next, add in all remaining ingredients. For your crockpot, mix well

and cook on high for 5 hours or cook on low for 8 hours.

For the stove top method, continue

cooking until the mixture comes to a full boil. About 5-8 minutes. Reduce

heat to low and simmer until flavors are well blended, about 40 minutes.

I really like to cook this chili for the full 8 hours in my crockpot.

It just releases all the flavor in the spices and vegetables and makes

for a very tasty and satisfying meal.

I usually serve steaming hot bowls of Chili with

Creamy Peanut Butter sandwiches (that's a hit with the boys) or thick slices of

warm 12-Grain Bread. Of course Iced Tea completes

my simple supper.

I hope you enjoy this quick and easy recipe. It's nice to put

supper in the crockpot after the kids leave for school and not have to think

about it all day. My friend Marsha does not eat red meat, so I have made

this with Ground Turkey and it turns out equally delicious.

I have also used this recipe and omitted the Ground Meat for

a fully vegetarian dish.

Tomorrow I hope to post a new feature called

"From Junk to Gems".

I found an adorable Cherub on the trash heap that just needed to be rescued.

Come back to see the transformation.

Until then,

Happy Cooking!

~Alisa