Extra Healthy Chili

Here is my latest healthy take on chili...

1/2 pound ground beef

1 whole onion, chopped (2 if small)

1 small (or 1/2 large) green bell pepper, chopped

1/4 large red bell pepper, chopped (optional)

2-4 cloves garlic

2-4 carrots, thinly sliced , chopped or grated

2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes (with basil garlic oregano or plain)

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

1 can dark red kidney beans

1 can light red kidney beans

2 cans black beans

1 can cannelini beans (aka white kidney beans)

1 can chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans)

2-4 cups of water

1 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp ground red pepper (more if you want it spicy)

1 tsp oregano

2 tsp cumin

2 Tbsp chili powder

Brown ground beef, add one at a time all the vegetables allowing each to cook a few minutes before the next addition. Then add all liquids, beans and spices. Cook a bout 2 hours.

Notes:

You can make with just kidney beans if you want a more traditional version or any combination you like/have on hand.

I use some low sodium tomato products and some regular so I don't change the flavor too much, and rinse the beans to lower the sodium content and make it healthier.

If you want the nutrition without changing the texture or look, grate or shred (or use food processor) the carrots before cooking. The flavor doesn't stand out so that's not an issue (probably makes it a little sweeter tasting). Definitely adds lots of vitamins though.

Make a pot on Sunday and eat leftovers all week.

I serve the leftovers with grated cheddar cheese on the top of the already reheated bowl of chili and let it melt on top... yummy!

Leftover Lamb Fajitas

I bought a marinated lamb roast (with rosemary and other herbs) from Aldi recently and it was delicious. There were lots of leftovers though. So i looked for a recipe that I happened to have all the ingredient for and made lamb fajitas.

Lamb, cut in strips

onion strips

red and green bell pepper strips

a splash of worchestershire sauce

cumin

oregano

black pepper

crushed red pepper

butter

olive oil

tortillas

sour cream or greek yogurt

salsa

cilantro

Saute lamb strips in butter and spices. Saute vegetables in spices and worchestershire sauce. combine and serve with toasted tortillas (heat in pan until they are slightly brown and a little puffy) Add toppings as desired.

Note: Fajitas are usually made with lime juice, I just didn't have any on hand. Could add while cooking or with the toppings.

I have also done this with leftover beef and it would probably work with chicken or pork as well.

Pumpkin Pancakes

This recipe came from Martha Stewart

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon, ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

a pinch of ground cloves.

Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Stir together 1 cup milk, 6 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 egg in 2nd bowl; fold mixture into dry ingredients.

Melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat; pour in 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Cook pancakes about 3 minutes per side; serve with butter and syrup.

My optional add – ins: ground flaxseed for added fiber and omega-3. May try ground pecans or walnuts next time. I think I forgot the ground cloves and it was fine, but will add them next time.

Smoked Salmon Spread

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade... if life gives you smoked salmon make salmon spread:)

4 ounces cream cheese

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp horseradish

1/4 finely chopped sweet onion

black pepper

1/2 cup of smoke salmon, roughly chopped

Mix cream cheese and next 4 ingredients, then gently mix in salmon. Top with parsley or dill and roasted red pepper strips. Refrigerate for a couple of hours and serve with crackers.

Taste and adjust quantities to your own preferences