Thursday, July 22, 2010

Quick & Easy Cheater’s Chili

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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.

025 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.

6 comments:

  1. Mmm I love chili but I haven't been very good at making it taste good! From soaking and cooking the beans to getting the right flavor, making chili can become quite arduous. And time-consuming. And.... the chili doesn't taste like chili??! That's when we turn to cans and jars for some help. =P

    What a cute blue cup! I've been making more smoothies too. I'm actually going the opposite route though, trying to use spinach instead of fruits with my bananas.

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  2. Now I wish I had access to those ingredients! Your chili looks delicious!

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  3. I've seen them but I've never used a chili starter before. I will check it out.

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  4. Your chili looks awesome. I made some a while back with eggplant in it. Believe it or not, it was very good. I am addicted to smoothies :o)

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  5. I pretty much always add blueberries in my smoothies, yum.

    and I like that you have cornbread on the side of your chili. I can't remember the last time I had chili.

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  6. I love blueberries in smoothies too. That bowl of chili looks like it would satisfy any chili craving!

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