Today I’m mourning the loss of a friend. For the past six years, when pressed for time, my friend would pick up the slack and prepare meals for me. All I had to do was supply the ingredients and leave it for her to finish.

I loved my friend. She was warm and dependable. Her unwavering support for my work schedule was her best attribute. I know I will never find another to replace her. But as with everything in this transient world, there comes a time we must bid farewell to the old and move on to the new.

So, I am now looking for a new Crock-Pot®! Preferably chrome with a dark red crock. The red makes me happy. 🙂 Four settings is a must. Off. High. Low. Warm. No mamby-pamby pot for me.

Her magnum opus was Chili. The last serving is now sitting in a Rubbermaid® red-topped bowl in the fridge.

This particular recipe was an accident I stumbled across when I didn’t have the ingredients for my original recipe. Thinking to save time during an unusually busy day, I decided to forego the stove-top and began throwing ingredients into the crock. I soon realized I had no tomato sauce or paste.

And I refuse to add ketchup. Ugh.

Anyway, after I threw together the following, my family informed me they liked it better than my other recipe. Oh, well. Glad someone finally said something. 🙂

Recently, a friend asked me to share the recipe. So, I thought I would post it today for all those dealing with temperature shock. Brrrrrr

 

Ingredients

2 lbs. ground beef (I use extra lean because I’m unable to drain off the fat.)

2 cans Rotel (mild or hot)

1 can petite diced tomatoes

1 jar of Marinara Sauce (I like Newman’s Own.) Yep, Marinara Sauce. Trust me.

1 packet of Chili seasoning (I also make my own. You can find the recipes on Pinterest.)

Salt

Optional

1 can Chili Beans

1 can Black Beans

1 small can corn

1 whole onion

 Directions

Place in crock. Turn the dial to high. Let cook all day. That’s it!

Forgot to thaw the meat the night before? No worries. Fix it and forget it.

Serving Option

I crumble a handful of Doritos in a bowl. Top with Fiesta Blend cheese. Add chili. Top with Sour Cream, jalapeno, and a splash of Chipotle hot sauce.

Southern Comfort at its best. Promised to warm even the coldest consumer!

Happy eats, y’all!

Gail