Grandma Claire's Chili

GRANDMA CLAIRE'S CHILI

This New Years is cold and snowy....just the right season for a nice hot bowl of chili!!! The chili recipe that I love to make is one from my mother-in-law, Claire Brown. She was never a gourmet cook, but the things she made were good, simple recipes that her family loved. She shared this recipe with me when we were first married and it has become a regular at our family dinner table. Not only is it easy but it can be made in quantity ( I often make a HUGE pot and divide it into family-size portions that can quickly be taken out and thawed for a quick dinner) and can be seasoned Up or Down according to your family's taste. ( anything spicey makes my Irish husband's head sweat, so I usually go easy on the spice!!! :) )

A good hot bowl of chili will warm the start to 2010!!!! Happy New Year!!!

Grandma Claire's Chili

2 # lean ground beef ( or turkey)

1 med. onion diced

1/2 green or red pepper, diced (opt)

2 cans condensed tomato soup + water

1 or 2 cans of kidney beans (depending on how your family likes beans)

1 small can of diced tomatoes ( I use frozen ones from the garden)

1 bay leaf

1 pkg chili seasoning

garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Brown the ground meat in a dutch oven or large pot. Add onions and peppers to brown. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 20 min or so. This can be made ahead of time and really doesn't need to cook for hours. I usually serve this with small noodles or rice, and corn. Some top this with cheddar cheese or sour cream. Do what your family might like!!

Crock Pot Candy

Crockpot Candy

One of the fun new recipes that I learned of this Christmas is a candy recipe that my oldest daughter,Maria Cosme, made. It is super easy ( I LIKE that) and it is quite tasty!!! It is one of those recipes that you can adjust according to what you have on hand and to your taste!!!

Since we are running out of time for this year, I think I might try this for St. Valentine's Day!!!

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year!!!!!

Crock Pot Candy

1 16 oz jar plain peanuts

1 16 oz jar roasted peanuts

1 12 oz pkg milk chocolate chips

1 lb. Almond Bark

1 lb. White Chocolate Chips

1. Layer above ingredients in crock pot.
2. Cook on low for 2 hours.
3. Take lid off and stir half way through. If need be, add more chocolate at this time.
4. Place candies in tea size cupcake holders.
5. Let stand until firm.

Note: I replaced the almond bark with dark chocolate chips due to nut allergies.

The dark chocolate chips and white chocolate chips can be purchased at Mary’s Cakes and Candies.

Thanks for cheching out my blog!

Belgium Galettes

Nothing says Christmas like a tray of cookies..... One of the cookies that I LOVE but am only learning to make is the Belgium cookie called Galettes. I was introduce to this simple treat by one of our neighbors when I was growing up in Ford City. Donnie Kutchenriter's family was from Belgium, as were a number of others who came to this country in the early part of the 1900's to work in the glass factories of Western Pennsylvania. She made two kinds of waffle-like cookies-- this one that I am working on is like a regular waffle only about 2 inches in diameter and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Another variety of this cookie is a bit thinner ( kind of like a pizzelle) but the iron that is used to make this cookie has a much finer grid than traditional waffles and is not decorated as a pizzelle iron is.

After we were married, I was introduced to them again when Bill's mom would have these cookies made for the holidays. She shared with me the original black cast iron waffle iron that Bill's grandfather brought from Belgium to make these cookies. I have attempted to use this iron but lack the finesse ( and patience!!!) that is required to use this iron well. After much hunting, (and a discussion with my Aunt Francis Palilla) I purchased a regular, old electric waffle iron to use to make these cookies. Sandy and I have made them twice and have great success with the following recipe that I found on the internet. I did find My mother's recipe from Donnie but haven't tried it yet..... These cookies taste better if made ahead of time, and I am sure would mail well if you need to send cookies somewhere. Enjoy the process of this beautiful season!!!!

Galettes or Belgium Waffle cookies

1 # butter ( I use margarine)

6 eggs

2 c. sugar

2 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla or rum or whiskey

6 c. flour

Cream butter, eggs and sugars together in an electric mixer. Sift dry ingredients together, and add to the butter, egg mixture. Dough will be soft. Chill dough for several hours or over night. Roll into small balls or drop by teaspoonfuls in hot waffle iron. Dust with powdered sugar on both sides. Store in a cool, dry place. You may need to repowder these before serving.