Chili Con Carnie (en el crock-pot)



1 lb. ground beef or lean ground turkey

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cans of diced tomatoes, undrained

1/2 cup of salsa

1 can of black beans, drained

1 can of kidney beans, drained

1-2 tbsp. chili powder

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

1 small can of black olives, drained

~ Add a diced jalapeno or a small can of mild green chilies for a kick!

            Measuring cups are for wimps.  You don't have to be a rocket scientist to be able to make an accurate assessment of size.  You can just gage the amounts you plan to use by looking at them.  As a SAHM one less dish to wash is a feat in itself.

            There is nothing better on a cold day than a piping hot bowl of chili.  Pair it with an ice cold beer and it is for sure your husband's dream meal.  The amazing thing about chili is that it is truly easy to make.  The prep time is minimal but the accolades won't be.

If you do not own a crock-pot, I want you to stop reading this blog, hire a babysitter and run to the nearest store and buy one.  A crock-pot is a kitchen’s and a SAHM's necessity.  You can just throw all of the ingredients in the pot and then you don’t have to give a crock what happens to it.  The only true prep in making chili is chopping up your onions and doing a few wrist exercises due to the many tin cans you will be opening. 

In a large skillet, brown the meat and then drain off any of the excess fat.  Yep, we all have a bit of excess baby weight and skipping this step is a major no-no.  Now plug in your newly purchased crock-pot.  I just wanted to pass on this gentle reminder.  Somehow thanks to nature we were left with "pregnancy brain" and I don’t want you to make this meal and increase your baby blues because you forgot to plug the damn thing in after four hours. 

            Now here is the next big step, take the lid off of the crock-pot and…wait for it…wait for it…throw everything else listed above inside.  Remember, we do not measure.  Save the shredded cheese and the olives to use as garnishes.  Now turn it to low and go play with your darling baby for 4-5 hours or until the chili is bubbling.  Serve it with cornbread muffins if you have an extra bit of time or a cheapo baguette from the store.  Congrats Mama!  Now you're cookin'.