Slow Cooker Healthy Version Chili

I first had this chili when my family had dinner by the firepit of the home of my hiking buddy. A few months later my oldest asked me if I had the recipe. My friend had shared it on her own blog (I'll share the link to her blog if I get permission.) Since then it has become one of our favourite chili recipes to have. Enjoy some versions of chili that my family enjoy. We have a delicious quick chili, a variation of the quick chili, a sweet maple chili and a delicious white chicken chili.

Slow Cooker Healthy Version Chili
(image courtesy of Betty Cr*cker website)

Ingredients:

                1 pkg Gardein brand Ultimate Beefless Ground

                    or 1 pound of Ground Organic Bison

                1 c. Yellow Onion, chopped 

                1 c. Green Bell Pepper, chopped 

                1/2 c. Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped 

                1/2 c. Red Pepper, chopped 

                2 cloves Garlic, chopped

                2 cans Tomato Soup (do not add milk)

                1 can of Low-Sodium Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas), do not rinse or drain

                2 Tbs Chili Powder

                1 Tbs Vinegar

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
2. Brown the ultimate "beef" or bison until no longer pink.
3. Once the meat is just beginning to brown, add in the onion, garlic, and peppers. 
4. Cook on low until peppers are just getting tender.
5. Transfer to a lightly sprayed CrockPot. 
6. Stir in the soup, the chickpeas and its liquid. Stir well.
7. Add in the chili powder and vinegar.
8. Cook on low for 5-7 hours. 
9.  Serve with: 
• shredded cheddar cheese (or a vegan "cheddar" option)
• crushed tortilla chips
• sliced green onions (scallions)

Tips:

• If using vegan "meat" this step only takes about 4-5 minutes.  
• Bison takes about 8 minutes to brown.

       

 Dinner Menu Ideas:

• Fruit Salad 
• cut up melon, grapes, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and honeydew
• Honey Cornbread or regular Corn Muffins
• Tossed Salad 
• Greens, cucumbers, chopped tomatoes, raw broccoli florets tossed,with a drizzle of Tuscan Italian Dressing, low fat.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Maple Chili

It's that time of year again. Maple sugaring season! One of my family's favourite things to do when the sap starts running is to attend the NYS Maple Weekend activities.

We first began attending Maple Weekend while living in Lewis County (Home of the NYS Maple Museum in Croghan). Sugar houses were few and far between in Chautauqua County that we didn't go to any while we were there. Since moving to the Capital District we have gone west to Fulton and Montgomery Counties and East to Washington County where from the driveway of one sugar house we were almost a stone's throw to Vermont. New York State syrup is better.

While in Fulton County we had the delight to have some Maple Chili fresh from the crockpot. This has quickly turned into one of our family favourites. Another favourite is my Quick Chili that I threw together after being told by our cheerleader that she signed me up to bring chili to the high school football game (that started in two hours). A variation of this has more ingredients and delicious flavour. One of the thousand ways I know how to cook chicken is this delicious White Chicken Chili. The last, but not least, favourite is the healthy version that we got from my hiking buddy.

      Maple Chili

Ingredients:

        1 lb. Ground Beef

        1 large Chopped Onion

        2 cans Cream of Tomato Soup

        16 oz.can Kidney Keans

        (2) 14 oz. cans Diced Tomatoes

        1/3 c. pure NYS Maple Syrup

        2 tsp Salt

        ½ tsp Pepper

        1 Tbs Chili Powder

Directions:

1. Brown together the ground beef and onion in a soup pot. 
2. Add the rest of the ingredients 
3. Simmer together for two hours or cook all day in a CrockPot.
4. Serve with these corn muffins.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Chicken Schnitzel (Hähnchenschnitzel)

With a Mom from Heidelberg, I grew up on schnitzel. My Dad favoured veal schnitzel so that was generally what Mom made. I never cared for veal because I spent a lot of time at the farm with my sister. She always had me taking care of the calves. I can't eat veal. Over the years I always made schweineschnitzel but my oldest isn't a huge fan of pork (unless it's ham or bacon). I decided to try hähnchenschnitzel and it was delicious! I paired it with fresh cut french fries. The perfect German meal.

Hähnchenschnitzel

Ingredients:

6 Chicken Breasts, boneless

Salt

Pepper

3/4 C Flour

2 Large Eggs, beaten

2 C Breadcrumbs, seasoned

1 tsp Garlic Powder

Olive Oil
1 Lemon, zested

2 sprigs Parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. 
2. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
3. Drizzle olive oil over foil.
4. Place the baking sheet in the oven as it preheats.
5. Place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them until 1/4 inch thick.
6. Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
7. Put flour, eggs and breadcrumbs in three separate bowls.
8. Add garlic powder to breadcrumbs and mix to combine.
9. Dredge one piece of chicken in flour; shake off excess. 
10. Dip into beaten egg. Lift up so excess egg drips back in the bowl. 
11. Press into bread crumbs to coat both sides. 
12. Place the breaded chicken, unstacked, onto a plate. 
13. Repeat with remaining chicken.
14. Remove the baking sheet from the oven.
15. Arrange chicken in a single layer on the hot sheet.
16. Drizzle more olive oil over each piece.
17. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 6 minutes. 
18. Flip chicken and continue baking until no longer pink in the center and the breading is lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes more. Cook until internal temperature is 165 degrees.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

A Perfect House Salad

I just had to share this recipe. It's so simple and easy but my oldest daughter added so many delicious vegetables to make this so good and picture-perfect. The colours were amazing! 

Perfect House Salad

Ingredients:

        Romaine Lettuce, torn into edible size

        Red cabbage, chopped into strips

        Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half

        Broccoli Tops, cut into bite-size

        Cucumber, sliced and quartered

        Carrots, shredded

Directions:

1. Combine the ingredients in whatever order and amount you prefer.
2. Top with your favourite dressing and topping. I love Greek vinaigrette topped with Blue Cheese crumbles, with croutons.

 Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Cheese & Bell Pepper Quesadillas

This delicious recipe, based on one I found somewhere on Pinterest, has become a family favorite. It's quick and easy and so, so good! Made from seven ingredients it can be added to your menu rotation for those busy nights. For the best color use all four colors of bell peppers (green, red, orange, and yellow).

Cheese & Bell Pepper Quesadillas

Ingredients:

        1 Tbs Olive Oil

        1 Green Bell Pepper, sliced into thin strips

        1 Red Bell Pepper, sliced into strips

        1 Orange Bell Pepper, sliced into strips

        1 Yellow Bell Pepper, sliced into strips

        1/2 tsp Cumin

        Dash Kosher Salt, to taste

        Black Pepper, to taste

        1/2 tsp Lime Juice

        2 1/2 cups Monterey Jack, grated

        2 Large Flour Tortillas

Serve with:

        Sour Cream

        1 cup Salsa

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 375.
2. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
3. Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook all of the bell peppers in oil.
5. While the peppers are cooking, add the cumin, kosher salt, a bit of fresh ground black pepper and the lime juice and cook just until peppers are just soft, about 3 to 5 minutes; do not overcook.
6. Place two of the flour tortillas flat on a lightly greased baking pan to assemble your quesadillas.
7. Place a thin layer of peppers on a flour tortilla.
8. Add a thick layer of cheese and cover with another flour tortilla, and assemble all of the veggie quesadillas in the same manner.
9. Bake the quesadillas for about ten minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted.
10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
11. To serve, slice each quesadilla into fourths or. 
12. Serve with sour cream and salsa for dipping.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Delicious Quick Chili Variation

We had a cooler snap after a wonderful rainfall so I decided to take the opportunity to make chili. Okay, so maybe it was more like I defrosted ground beef and forgot to do anything with it until it was almost time for people to come home.

I was thinking about chili but decided to try something different. The family seemed happy with the change. This one wasn't far off from the family favourite but had a few modifications done to it. Check out our other favourite chili recipes, like a healthier version, Maple Chili with added sweetness, and White Chicken Chili for a lighter take on the dish.

Quick Chili Variation

Ingredients:

        2 lbs Ground Beef

        1 Onion, finely diced

        3 Cloves Garlic, minced

        3 (14.5oz) cans Diced Tomatoes

        1 (15oz) can Kidney Beans

        1 (15oz) can Pinto Beans

        1 can Green Chili Peppers

        1 (8oz) can Tomato Sauce

        1 cup Water

        2 Tbs Chili Powder

        2 Tbs White Sugar

        1 Tbs Ground Cumin

        1 Tbs Salt

        1 Tbs Hot Pepper Sauce

        1 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

1. Cook and stir ground beef until browned and crumbly. Drain.
2. Add onion and garlic to beef and cook until onion is translucent.
3. Add remaining ingredients.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes until done.
5. Sprinkle with Shredded Cheddar.
6. Serve with Corn Muffins.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Creamy Sour Cream Chicken Casserole

Day two of a week of casseroles. 

Last night's dinner choice was Creamy Sour Cream Chicken Casserole. My family loved this recipe, but the sour cream/cream of chicken sauce was a bit heavy on sour cream. I think increasing the cream of chicken will help this. I did fix that on this version.

Creamy Sour Cream Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:

        6 Boneless Chicken Breasts

        1 cups Sour Cream

        16 oz Cream Of Chicken

        38 Ritz Crackers, crumbled

        1 stick Butter, melted

        Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Cook chicken breast in a skillet with olive oil until tender.
3. Shredded the chicken.
4. Spread evenly over the bottom of a casserole dish.
5. Salt and Pepper to taste.
6. Mix sour cream and chicken soup in a separate bowl.
7. Spread the sour cream mixture over the chicken in the casserole dish. 
8. Crush the Ritz cracker.
9. Spread over the top of the casserole.
10. Spoon melted butter on top over all.
11. Bake until top is golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Cheesy Meatballs and Shells Casserole

I decided that I wanted to make casseroles for the next week. I wasn't sure how my family would react to that, since they are pretty set in their ways. For the first of the casserole dishes I chose Cheesy Meatballs and Shells Casserole from Judith Hannemann over at The Midnight Baker. Normally I tweak recipes, but I didn't see anything that needed to be adjusted. I'm glad I didn't. This recipe was perfect. My family absolutely loved it!

Cheesy Meatballs and Shells Casserole

• 
  
• Ingredients:
• 
  
• 2 cups medium Shells
• 2 lbs small Meatballs, cooked 
• 1 cup Velveeta, cubed
• ½ sleeve Ritz Crackers, crushed
• 1 Tbs Butter, melted
• 
  
• Sauce:
• 
  
• ¼ cup Flour
• 2 tbs Butter
• 2 cups Beef Stock, don't cheap out on this one
• 1 can (10.75 oz) Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 
  

• Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Spray a 1½-2 quart baking dish or casserole.
3. Cook shells per package instructions.
4. To make sauce:
1. In a medium saucepan, melt the 2 tbs butter over medium heat. 
2. Stir in the flour making sure there are no lumps. 
3. Cook over medium heat until the flour/butter mixture bubbles.
5. Gradually add the beef stock, stirring constantly so mixture remains smooth.
6. Cook, stirring frequently over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken and bubble.
7. Add the cubed process cheese and cook over low heat until cheese is melted; about 4-5 minutes.
8. Place the mushroom soup in a large bowl.
9. Gradually stir in the cheese sauce until well blended and smooth.
10. Fold in the cooked shells and meatballs.
11. Turn into prepared baking dish.
12. Mix the 1 tbs melted butter with the crushed cracker crumbs; toss to coat.
13. Sprinkle over top of casserole.
14. Bake for 35-30 minutes or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Baked Penne with Beef.

The other day we were at the Cream Cheese Festival. While there I bought a cookbook with Philadelphia Cream Cheese recipes.  We weren't able to find any of the cooking creme called for in the recipe so I made a substitute. I also adjusted the amounts of each ingredient. My family loved this! 

Baked Penne with Beef

Ingredients:

        1 lb Penne, cooked

        2 lbs Ground Beef

        1/2 cup Onions, chopped

        1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper, chopped

        24 oz Pasta Sauce

        1 cup Mozzarella, shredded

        2 cups Cooking Creme

  

For Cooking Creme:

        8 oz Cream Cheese

        1/2 cup Beef Broth

        1 Tbs Italian Seasoning

        3 Tbs Parmesan, grated

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cook Penne, al dente.
3. Brown meat with onions and peppers.
4. Stir in spaghetti sauce, 3/4 cup cooking creme and 1/2 cup mozzarella.
5. Cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or mozzarella is melted.
6. Add pasta, mix lightly.
7. Spoon into casserole dish.
8. Top with remaining cooking creme and mozzarella, and cover. 
9. Bake 15 minutes, uncover, and continue cooking 5 more minutes. 

Tip:  Italian Sausage can be used in place of Ground Beef.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Brown Sugar-Maple Glazed Thighs

A few years ago I shared a recipe for Maple-Glazed Chicken. The recipe is amazing, but I decided to tweak it one day. My family all agreed that they preferred my version of the recipe. Try both recipes and let me know in the comments which one you like best. This recipe is adapted for my large family.

Brown Sugar- Maple Glazed Thighs

Ingredients:

        9 Chicken Thighs

        Dash Salt

        Dash Pepper

        1 cup Real Maple Syrup (I use New York State syrup, it's the best!)

        1/2 cup Brown Sugar

        just<1/2 cup Mustard

        1 Tbls Garlic Powder

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 450°.
2. Put thighs in baking dish.
3. Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper.
4. Mix remaining ingredients thoroughly in small bowl.
5. Pour contents of bowl over thighs.
6. Brush to coat. 
7. Cook 55 minutes, basting occasionally. 

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Quick Chili

This family favourite came about during a moment of panic. I was told that my daughter had signed me up to bring chili to the high school football game. And I needed to bring it in within one hour! I threw together some ingredients and it became a hit!  Afterward, I was asked to bring this every home game. Feel free to try some of our other favourite chili recipes. We have a variation of this one, a healthy version, a sweet maple chili and a delicious white chicken chili.

Quick Chili

Ingredients:

        2 lbs Ground Beef

        1 Onion, finely chopped

        3 Cloves Garlic, Minced

        1 cup Diced Tomatoes

        8 oz Tomato Sauce

        1 cup Water

        1 can Kidney Beans

        1 can Pinto Beans

        2 Tbs Chili Powder

        2 Tbs Sugar

        1 Tbs Hot Sauce

        1 Tbs Ground Cumin

        1 Tbs Salt

        1 tsp Pepper

        Shredded Cheddar

Directions:

1. Lightly brown ground beef, drain if necessary.
2. Add onion and garlic, cook until onion is translucent.
3. Add remaining ingredients.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes until done.
5. Sprinkle with Shredded Cheddar.
6. Serve with Corn Muffins

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole

I took a while to find a Tuna Casserole recipe that was something that everyone agrees on. well, here it is. This recipe has just the right amoint of moistness and it's so full of flavour. 

Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Ingredients:

        1 bag Egg Noodles

        1/2 bag Frozen Peas

        1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

        1 cup Sour Cream

        3/4 cups Parmesan

        1/3 cups Milk

        1/4 tsp Salt

        1/4 tsp Garlic Powder

        1/4 tsp Onion Powder

        2 cans Tuna

Topping:

        1 cup Bread Crumbs

        2 Tbs Butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cook noodles according to directions for al dente.
3. Add peas during the last minute; drain.
4. Meanwhile in a large bowl combine soup, sour cream, parmesan, milk, salt, garlic powder. onion powder, tuna; stir together.
5. Add noodles and peas; toss to combine.
6. Transfer to a greased casserole dish coated with cooking spray.
7. In a small bowl toss bread crumbs with melted butter; sprinkle over top.
8. Bake uncovered 25 - 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Serves: 4

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Smoked Sausage and Chicken Gumbo

We wanted to celebrate Mardis Gras this year with a dish from New Orleans. After searching Pinterest I found this recipe from Iowa Girl Eats. There was just the right amount of kick to this Gumbo and everyone, including the fussy ones, loved it.

Smoked Sausage and Chicken Gumbo

Ingredients:

        1 tsp + 3 Tbs Olive Oil

        14 oz Andouille Sausage, sliced into half-moons
        4 skin-in, bone-in Chicken Thighs
        1 tsp + 1 Tbs Cajun Seasoning
        6 Tbs Flour
        1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
        2 small Celery Stalks, chopped
        1 small Onion, chopped
        2 cloves Garlic, minced
        2 Tbs Tomato Paste
        56 oz low-sodium Chicken Broth
        2 Bay Leaves
        1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika
        1/4 tsp Cayenne (more or less according to taste)


Directions:

1. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add sausage then saute until browned, 5-7 minutes.
3. Transfer to a plate then set aside.
4. Season both sides of chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning then place skin side down in Dutch oven.
5. Sear on both sides until golden brown, 3-4 minutes a side (does not need to be cooked through).
6. Transfer to plate with sausage and set aside.
7. Remove Dutch oven from heat for a few minutes to cool slightly then place back over medium heat.
8. Add remaining 3 Tablespoons oil.
9. Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly until mixture is the color of caramel, 10-15 minutes (this is your roux.)
10. Add bell pepper, celery, and shallot or onion then saute until vegetables are slightly tender, 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the Dutch oven often with a wooden spoon to make sure roux doesn't burn.
11. Add garlic and tomato paste then saute for one more minute.
12. Add a couple big glugs of chicken broth at a time to the Dutch oven, using the wooden spoon to scrape up any bits on the bottom.
13. Add remaining chicken broth, remaining 1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning, bay leaves, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, sauteed sausage and chicken thighs then turn heat up to bring gumbo to a boil.
14. Turn heat down to medium then simmer uncovered for 1-1/2 hours, occasionally skimming off the fat that rises to the top.
15. Transfer chicken to a cutting board then remove and discard skin and bones.
16. Shred chicken then add back into the gumbo.
17. Remove bay leaves then taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
18. Serve over cooked white rice.

Serves 6

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Old-Style Diner Burgers

I've been thinking about experimenting with burger recipes for a while now. I decided that I would begin with old-school and try a recipe for burgers the way we had them at 1970's diners. This recipe for old style diner burgers was simple, but so yummy!   

Old-Style Diner Burger

Ingredients:

 
        2 1/2 lbs Ground Beef
        Sea Salt to taste
        Black Pepper to taste
        6-8 slices Cheddar Cheese

Toppings:

        12-16 slices Bread, (Use less bread if you double up the burgers.)
        Mayonnaise
        Tomatoes
        Onions
        Relish
        Lettuce
        Ketchup
        Mustard

Directions:

1. Lay out two sheets of plastic wrap.
2. Divide your ground beef into 6-8 even mounds
3. Shape each mound of beef into a good, tight ball with your hands.
4. Place ball onto sheet of plastic wrap and lay the second sheet on top.
5. Roll ball flat with rolling pin, about 1/3 inch, into a thin patty. Roll from all directions to make into a patty.
6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
7. Repeat with remaining balls.
8. Heat griddle over medium-high heat.
9. Flip patty into hot pan.
10. Do this with as many patties as fit onto griddle. 
11. Cook patties for about 3-4 minutes. Pressing down with spatula.
12. Reduce heat slightly, flip over and top with cheese.
13. Cook another 3-4 minutes, until cheese starts to melt.
14. Remove from pan and repeat with remaining patties. (Keep warm in 200 degree oven if needed)
15. Toast your bread.  I used wheat bread. You can use hamburger buns but these are thinner patties, so they may get lost in the breading.
16. Smear bread with mayonnaise.
17. Place patty on bread. Add toppings.

Tip: 

Great with a side of your favourite cut of fries. 

Enjoy!

            Ingrid