Quick and Easy Chili
    This is really tasty and can be adapted to a vegetarian diet.
    (with tofu variation)
    ~~~~~
     1      lb.   lean gr. beef  (or tofu!)
       1     onion finely chopped
       1      gr. pepper -- finely diced
       1  can  beans with pork  (14 oz can)
       1   can   kidney beans (14 oz can), drained and rinsed
       1      lrg   can diced or crushed (28 oz. can) tomatoes undrained
       2      Tbsp  chili powder or -- to taste*
         1/2  tsp.  cumin (opt.)
       1      pinch   oregano
    1 pinch red pepper flakes or to taste

    If using tofu, use only 1/2 lb. of meat, and one pkg. of firm tofu. Brown meat (and tofu) in frying pan.  Drain off fat.  Turn heat down to med/low and add green pepper, onion and spices, cook for 4 -5 minutes, stirring to cook.  Remove from heat.  Drain and rinse kidney beans.  Place all ingredients into a large pot and simmer about 20 min.  Adjust spices to suite taste. Tip:  Break up block of tofu, by crumbling in hands or using a pastry blender, until pieces are tiny.

    The can of pork 'n beans is one of its secrets!  If you are using diced tomatoes only, you may want
    to add some tomato sauce too

    * watch the kind of chili powder you use, get one that is all spices, some contain a lot of salt, and the other ingredients already have a lot of salt in them,  you want spices for flavor, not a tons of salt! If you want a vegetarian chili, use tofu instead of meat and use beans in tomato sauce instead of pork'n beans.

    This can be made a day ahead and reheated.

     Return to CASSEROLE Index here
    Return to GROWLIES Index here