Chili

There are just some days where nothing beats chili. Around here, we love frito chili pies and chili baked potatoes.

1 lb ground meat
8 oz can tomato sauce
medium onion
1t comino seeds
2T chili powder
1 can Ranch Style beans
salt/pepper to taste
2T flour
1/2t garlic powder
2c boiling water
jalapeno-seeds removed

Brown meat and onion; add everything else; simmer til ready to eat!

Black Bean Soup

This is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Another great recipe from the SL forums.

1 c. chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
14.5 oz. can vegetable broth
2 15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. peeled, diced potato
1/2 t. dried thyme
1/2 t. cumin
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 – 1/2 t. hot pepper sauce
2 green onions, sliced
1T. olive oil

In a saucepan, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. Stir in the beans, potato, thyme, cumin and broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in tomatoes and hot pepper sauce; heat through. Sprinkle with green onions.

I usually add a second can of broth because I like it soupier and it stretches it out a bit. Also, substituting a sweet potato for the regular potato adds a nice twist.