Yummy goodness :)

It is so cold here. I mean, it makes my toes hurt. In a couple of days it's gonna be "stupid cold"! Okay, so I do live in Tennessee and 'round these parts we tend to be "winter weenies". We're such big sissies that folks were complaining when it dropped below 45 degrees in December. Big babies. I mean totally mean that in a loving way! :D (can you tell I'm feeling better?)

But a big plus to the cold weather certainly has to be cold-weather food! I love soups and warm, spicy dinners but. let's face it, who wants chili in the middle of summer? Not I! But, oh do I love it in the middle of January :) Tonight I fixed us up some 3 Bean Chili, one that is definitely a favorite of ours. We had some num-nummy cornbread to accompany the chili. I don't have any pictures of dinner to share, but I do have recipes!! Yay!


3 BEAN CHILI

(makes 8 cups)

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped (I used 1 tsp of dried minced garlic)
3 Tbsp chili powder
2 sweet bell peppers, cored and diced
1 medium-sized zucchini, trimmed and diced (I left this out, dh doesn't like alot fo veggies)
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) no salt-added tomato sauce
1/4 Cup ketchup
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) small white beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans
Grated cheddar cheese (optional)

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and chili powder and cook for 3 minutes.

2. Add peppers and zucchini and continue to cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, ketchup and oregano. Cook 8 minutes.

4. Gently stir in the beans. Cover the pot and continue to cook 3 minutes. Serve with grated cheese, if desired.

Nutritional info per cup: 203 calories; 4 g fat; 11 g protein; 39 g carbohydrate; 12 g fiber; 678 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol

Good Old Fashioned Cornbread

2 Cups cornmeal
1 1/2 Cups flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp sugar (optional)
3 eggs, beaten
1 Tbsp oil or Crisco for skillet
2 Cups milk
1/4 Cup melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Put oil in skillet & skillet into the oven.

2. Combine cornmeal, flour, salt, soda, baking powder, and sugar,

3. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk & butter. Combine with dry ingredients and stir until all is moistened.

4. Take skillet out of the oven and make sure your skillet is coated well with oil and pour your mixture into the skillet. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy!