Field Meals: Classic Chili

Just in time for a change in the weather, chili made the menu tonight.  Unfortunately, the previously prepped Beef, Lime & Cilantro Chili only serves five.  With a “table” of eight greeting me in the field, I needed to throw together another pot of something.Why not more chili?!

Menu 7: Beef, Lime & Cilantro Chili, Homemde Chili, Cornbread, Apple Crisp

Beef, Lime & Cilantro Chili (from Prep. Freeze. Cook!)

Our county Farm Bureau hosted a Ladies Night with Prep. Freeze. Cook! Thirty women prepared 10 different crockpot / freezer meals in two hours.  Everyone went home with one of each meal (serving five people a piece).  Prep. Freeze. Cook! brought all the ingredients already chopped and diced and ready to mix.

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 1/2 c. tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 c. diced tomatoes
• 2 c. black beans
• 1/2 c. diced onion
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp. mild chili powder
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 c. cilantro

Combine and leave sit in a crockpot.

Homemade Chili (from one of those community compilation cookbooks; cook Linda Myers)

• 3 pounds ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 – 16 oz. cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 tsp. browning sauce (optional)
• 1 – 29 oz. can tomato puree
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 – 16 oz. jar salsa
• 1 – 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 – 10.5 oz. can beef broth
• 1 – 2 cups water (I use between 3/4 cup and 1 1/2 cup depending how watery the chili is.)
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 2 T. Worchester sauce
• 1 T. dried basil
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 2 tsp. steak sauce

Cook beef, peppers, onions and celery over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and veggies are tender.  Drain. Stir in all other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until chili reaches desired thickness.  (I’ll take a container of shredded cheese, extra onions and chili powder to the field.  The crew can season and add-to as they see fit.)

Cornbread (whatever recipe is on the box of cornmeal.  Always serve warm.  Warm cornbread is the only way to go . . . in my opinion.)

Apple Crisp (from Betty Crocker)