Stay warm. Eat in. Be satisfied.

Winter is here! There are so many great things that come with the winter and Christmas seasons … One of the best of course, being delicious food! With the colder weather outside and the busyness of the season, Keith and I love making slow-cooker dinners that will last for a few meals. Over the weekend, we were unpacking the boxes for our new home and decided that this would be a perfect week to have some prepared meals for after work, or lunches!

Chili it was! I thought I would share our basic chili recipe, which has plenty of room for personalized taste and style! We hope you enjoy your warm and hearty dish as much as we do!

1 ½ lbs meat (options below)

3 cups chopped veggies (options below)

4 minced garlic cloves

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 15-ounce cans of beans, rinsed and drained (options below)

2 14.5-ounce cans of diced tomatoes

1 15-ounce can of tomato sauce

½ cup of liquid (options below)

Meat

 - extra lean ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, or finer cuts of meat if you like

Vegetables

 - carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, celery, corn, mushrooms … Anything you like really, or that you have at home

Beans

 - red kidney, white kidney, chickpeas, black, pinto …

Liquid

 - decreased sodium beef/chicken/vegetable broths, beer or water

Spices!

 - these are the key ingredients! Chili powder, Italian seasoning, chipotle, oregano, basil, garlic powder, crushed chili flakes … as much or as little of any of your favorite spices!

Brown approximately 1.5lbs of your chosen meat. Add to slow-cooker. Add everything else. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

** I have also made vegetarian alternatives - just as delicious! **

Enjoy!!