A while back, I mentioned that I hate to cook. And when I say hate, that is exactly what I mean. I would rather clean a toilet than cook a meal. For many years, my motto was, “If it doesn’t come in a box, a bag, or a can, I’m not cooking it”. *
Then I had kids. While we still eat stuff from boxes, bags, and cans, I really am trying to introduce healthier fare, which unfortunately means cooking. Now, just because I’m cooking does not mean that I will like it, so I look for the easiest recipes that I can find, with as few ingredients as possible.
That leads me to my new idea. Every so often, I’m going to post a recipe that requires little or no effort. I’ll let you know how I came upon the recipe, and whether or not my kids will eat it, which of course, is important.
So, here is my first recipe. This is modified from my mom’s chili (she doesn’t use black beans or a crock pot). My kids love this meal…though it might just be the cheese and crackers…..
My Favorite Crock Pot Chili
Ingredients
1 lb or so of ground beef
2 28 oz cans of stewed tomatoes (I throw them in the blender, but you don’t have to
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Chili powder and red pepper flakes to taste
Directions
In a large skillet, brown ground beef with some chili powder, drain. Put beef in crock pot. Add tomatoes, beans, and enough water to fill the crock pot. Cover the top of the chili with chili powder. Stir. Do that again. Stir. Now do it with the red pepper flakes (less if you don’t want it too spicy). Stir. Turn crock pot on low and WALK AWAY. Go to work. Go grocery shopping. Clean out a closet or two. Come back 6-8 hours later and enjoy some great chili. Serve with sharp or extra sharp chedder cheese and some crackers (oyster, cheez-its, goldfish, saltines) or tortilla chips.
Easy!
*This rule does not include baking. I actually like to bake. Odd, I know…
Two Working Parents 