Chili and Random Thoughts

Still working on the craft room. I'm just taking my time putting things where I'll need them. Love Bunny helped me with a different table. I needed more room than the desk provided so we made our own. I'm now in the process of rearranging the shelves. Still a lot of junk, ooooh, excuse me, I mean very valuable stuff to get rid of. ;-) You have no idea what is to the left of that table and behind me. It's pathetic, I tell ya. Up until tonight I could not even walk in that room there was so much valuable stuff on the floor and on the previous table. I'm wanting to scale down to just 2 tall racks in the room instead of 3 stuffed ones. *Sigh*.......

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I've experimented with chili recipes over the years and about 8 years ago I came up with an excellent one. I may have shared it before—just can't remember, but I thought I'd share it again because it is reeeeeally good. I found that when I used special chili powders and not the one you usually find in the spice section at the local supermarket, it really made a difference. These chili powders aren't as bitter as the common chili powder.

Beef steak - I can use the cheaper steaks and it's great as it cooks all day. I can also get the meat in the markdown section of the meat department. But a cheap steak will be wonderful in this recipe.

Pinto beans - 3 handfuls

Navy beans - 2 handfuls

Kidney beans - 1 can with water. Don't drain anything in this recipe!

Onions - 2 or 3 chopped

Butter - 1 tablespoon butter not margarine or anything else. Butter gives it flavor.

Garlic - 3 shakes of dried flakes

Tomatoes - 2 large cans

Cooking wine - 1 cup

Red wine vinegar - 1/4 cup

Bell peppers - I use about 1/2 of a pepper

Sugar - 1 tablespoon

Chiles - 2 cans diced green chiles

Pasilla chile powder - 1 1/2 teaspoons or to taste

New Mexico chile powder - 1 1/2 teaspoons or to taste

Cumin - 1/4 teaspoon ground or to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

I put the butter in the pot and add steak and onions and brown till the onions are caramelized. This makes them sweeter. Then add the green pepper, green chiles, tomatoes, can of kidney beans and spices, sugar, vinegar and wine. The alcohol will dissipate when it cooks for hours for those of you who don't drink alcohol. I don't either.

The dried pinto and navy (small white) beans I put in a pot with just enough water to cover them and cook for several minutes until they just begin to start shriveling. I then add the dried beans from the other pot along with the water.

I then cook it all day and it is delicious. I suggest you season it to your taste with more or less chili powders, sugar and salt. I use about 1/2 to 1 pound of meat for a big pot. It's truly a simple recipe but you can't substitute anything here as I'm recommending to you. White or cider vinegar CANNOT be substituted for red wine vinegar. Same with butter, chili powders, etc.

Yummmmm!

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Random Thoughts:

Worry is the anticipation that the outcome will be bad.
Faith is the anticipation that the outcome will be good.
Faith in God is the anticipation that whatever the outcome, it will be for your good.
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How does a walrus sleep with those 2 enormous tusks?
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Why can't they make tearless shampoo for adults?
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Why are all pizza parlors dark?
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