Chili the Way My Family Likes It

ground beef/turkey and diced onions, browned and drained
1 can diced tomatoes*
1 can stewed tomatoes*
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 to 1 TB chili powder (don't add all at once, especially if your tomatoes have any chilies in them; add to taste)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
garlic powder to taste

*The trick for my family is to puree the tomatoes in a blender before you add them in (our kids don't like tomato chunks). Then you may want to add water to the pot depending on how thick you like the chili and how much water boils off as it simmers. If you don't puree the tomatoes, you better add some water (and a small can of tomato sauce if desired).

Simmer on stovetop or put all ingredients in crock pot. Serve with chips and cheddar cheese.

(My family ate all of this quickly. I think I might need to 1 1/2 or double this next time for the 8 of us.)

Here's the best cornbread




Usually for our family: (Update: Hans thinks this is too much for our family now--back to the 2 cans of each rather than 3)
ground beef/turkey and diced onions, browned and drained
3 cans beans, rinsed and drained (usually black and kidney beans)
3 cans tomatoes, pureed (remember, stewed tomatoes have sugar in them and tomatoes with chilies are hot!)
1 TB salt
1/2 TB pepper
garlic powder
2 tsp chili powder (assuming you don't use tomatoes with heat in them already. If using tomatoes with chilies, taste before adding any chili powder)
Simmer in crockpot. Serve with chips.

French Bread

Fast Write-up:

2 TB yeast

3 c. warm water

3 TB sugar

2 tsp. salt

6 TB vegetable oil (3/8 cup)

1 egg

8-11 c. flour

 

(can do 2 eggs total--yolks in the batter and whites for egg wash--adding 4 TB cold water to whites)

Knead. Let rise. Shape. Let rise. Bake at 375.

Baking times:
2 big loaves need about 25 min. For crispier crust, probably need to spray with water and bake the last few minutes on higher temp.

"Raw" Peanut Butter Cookies

No-bakes to try
These are Shannon's go-to treat. I think she said she dips them in a little dark chocolate too. Hans likes these, but he's the only one.

Healthy Chocolate Pudding

Wowsers. This is awesome! (From my ward buddy Emily)

Chocolate Pudding

1 ripe avocado
¼ cup milk (cow’s milk, rice milk or almond milk--I used whole cow's milk my first time)
¼ cup honey
1 ¾ TBSP cocoa powder
1-2 tsp. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Recipe can be doubled.

Irish Soda Bread

I had plans to try this for St. Patrick's Day, but didn't.

Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla Pie

Trying this tonight for my quesadilla-loving family.

Update: half the family liked it. If I make it again, I'd do half the amount of chicken, and canned diced chiles are a must! Maybe I'd try a can of white beans and cumin???

Overnight Oatmeal

No cooking--just mix the ingredients together and put in the fridge overnight and eat cold in the morning.

Stir together:
1/2 cup oats
2 T chopped nuts (I used sliced almonds)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
little vanilla
1 cup almond milk 

Fold in:
1 cup diced berries (I used frozen blueberries)

Refrigerate overnight, sleep and eat;)