Quick & Easy Cheater’s Chili

I’m all for convenience foods, on occasion. As much as cooking can be relaxing, I often feel pressured to get a good meal on the table. The more I cook, the more often I’ve heard Alex (meaning well) tell me that he’d rather have whatever I make over whatever we can buy going out.

There’s other reasons to eat at home, too, though. It’s often cheaper than going out. I do have some restaurant reviews coming up, and I go out sometimes even when I don’t post – like last night, I went to Lavomatic with some friends after a discussion group. I’d already eaten supper before I went out, and I spent $20 on a glass of wine, a bowl of gazpacho, and tip. I don’t know that I’ll ever be at a point in my life when I can do that regularly.

This is cheap, easy, and tasty. I threw all these ingredients into a slow cooker during a break from work: Bush’s chili magic chili starter, Boca crumbles, chopped onion, and canned crushed tomatoes. After this had cooked a while, I added frozen corn. Serve with leftover cornbread. I like it with Fritos, too.

This warm meal is good even in the summer, and it’s one of Alex’s favorites all year round. We compromise: one night okra, one night chili.

Here’s a shout out for something I’ve read on a few different blogs: blueberry smoothies! I’ve been having smoothies all summer but I normally stick to strawberry or spinach with my banana. I used some of my farmers’ market blueberries to make a delicious smoothie this afternoon.

Blueberry smoothie in my blue glass: banana, ice, blueberries, soymilk. Simple and delicious!

I love stepping outside and enjoying a nice smoothie and a break from work. Everyone have a great Friday and a better weekend! I hope I didn’t sound too tired in this post, it’s been a bear of a week for me.