Slow-Cooker Chili

What better to eat before heading out to trick or treat than a hot, steaming bowl of homemade chili? I will admit that most of the time I just dump a bunch of stuff in my crock pot and hope for the best; this time, I paid attention to what I was doing and you know what? This was the best damn pot of chili I have ever made. It seemed to have the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, which is exactly what I was going for! My favorite thing about chili is that you can completely tailor it to your own needs and heat level!


Slow-Cooker Chili
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef, browned (I used 90/10)
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
Can of Ro-Tel diced tomatoes with chili (the small can...10 oz?)
14 oz can dark red kidney beans with juice
14 oz can light red kidney beans with juice
1/3 C brown sugar
A few splashes of worchestershire (maybe around 1 tbsp?)
A few splashes of hot sauce (depending on how much heat you want)
1 tsp paprika
Dash of crushed red pepper

Directions
Toss it into a crock pot and let it cook on low for as long as possible. The longer it simmers, the better!

White Bean Dip

I have had this dip from Katie bookmarked for ages, and finally decided to whip it up for our small and simple dinner party on Saturday.  I served it with peppers and cucumbers and a delicious sunflower seed baguette.  I love the slight lemon flavor and the fresh parsley.  I added more parsley because, well, because I love it.  It was surprisingly easy as well, with the most time consuming part being to chop the onion!  It is going in my files as a must-serve for our next party!

White Bean Dip
adapted from Good Things Catered

Ingredients:
2 14oz. cans of white beans, drained and rinsed thoroughly, divided
2 Tbsp butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/4 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed 
1 1/2 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
1/4 c. water
1 1/2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:
-In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, melt butter and add salt and onion 
-Cook until onion is lightly golden, about 10 minutes.
-Add garlic, parsley, thyme, and white pepper and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
-Deglaze pan with water and lemon juice, scraping up all browned bits.
-In the food processor, add onion mixture and half white beans and pulse, scraping down sides, until starting to smooth.
-Turn food processor to on and add the olive oil slowly while blending until smooth.
-Turn out bean mixture into a medium bowl and fold in remaining whole beans and salt and pepper if needed.

Taco Soup

This taco soup is a perfect open and dump soup for a chilly, rainy fall evening. Serve with sour cream on top and cheese quesadillas on the side for a delish and easy supper!

*I did not take a picture of this...because..well...I just forgot!

Taco Soup

I know it is WW friendly, but not sure of the points. The person who gave me the recipe years ago had 1 point for 1 C. Not sure if it is accurate.

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped

1 can fat free chicken broth

2 C frozen corn

1 can fat free refried beans

1 can black beans, undrained

1 can white beans, undrained

1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 can Rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chili)

1 package taco seasoning mix

Directions:

-Saute onions until softened

-Add all other ingredients. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour

Mini-Thanksgiving

Last night we had a mini-Thanksgiving with Rach and John at our place. I used our china for the FIRST TIME! I was so excited!

Rach made the turkey, gravy, hanky pankies, and brought over Pumpkin Pie Martinis. I made crescent-wrapped brie served with crackers, green beans with red peppers and almonds, and horseradish mashed potatoes. I was also in charge of dessert, but I was all baked out, so picked up a Friendly's peppermint ice cream log. Delish! Rach and I both had gone out shopping that morning and were exhausted. The husbands finished almost half a bottle of vanilla vodka with the martinis, two bottles of wine and a few beers. They were wasted and we were sleeping on the couches, watching television.

I forgot to take pictures of our completed table, but here is at least a shot of my green beans!