Sunday, February 17, 2019

Nana's Sweet Beef Chili



Chili is one of my top 3 favorite foods (right up there with pizza and ice cream), and I can promise you, if you are a chili connoisseur like me, there is no chili in the world that can compare to my Nana's chili. You can adjust this beef chili recipe to make it more or less sweet, but after trying my hand at many, many chili recipes over the years, I've decided the secret ingredient that makes this chili so unbelievable is the addition of white vinegar. The vinegar and the sugar combine with the spices in this chili to make a flavor profile that is just...divine. Give my Nana's chili recipe a try. I guarantee you, you will love it!



Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2cup chopped green pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 28oz can whole tomatoes (Red Pack)
  • 28oz can tomato sauce
  • 40.5oz light red kidney beans (1 large can, Hanover)
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, plus more to taste
  • more chili powder to taste

Directions

Saute the ground beef along with the garlic, onion, pepper and celery until the beef is cooked through and brown. Drain.

Add the whole tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and spices. Bring to boil then cook over low heat for at least 30 minutes. Allow to cook slowly for several hours for best results. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 14, 2019

World's Best Double Chocolate Brownies


Happy Valentine's Day everyone!


Today, in honor of a day typically celebrated with a dose of sweet treats, I'm sharing my double chocolate brownie recipe! These are the brownies from my childhood and are just so delicious. My husband loves these warm, but I actually prefer their perfectly dense, slightly crunchy texture when cool. Serve these alongside some vanilla ice cream and you will have a sweet day for sure!


Ingredients

  • 4 ounces BAKER's Unsweetened Chocolate
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (options)

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the chocolate and the butter in a heavy saucepan on low heat, stirring constantly. When chocolate is completely melted and free of lumps, stir in sugar until well blended.

Mix in eggs, one at a time, and add vanilla. Stir in the flour. Add nuts or chocolate chips as desired.

Spread the batter into a greated 9x13 inch baking pan, preferably glass.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center come out with fudgy crumbs. DO NOT OVERBAKE. cool in pan, then cut into squares. Sift on powdered sugar if desired.

Recipe makes 16 large or 24 small brownies. Enjoy!