Chili

Growing up every Halloween we got together with some family and friends and ate chili, cornbread, and went trick or treating. We would all eat large bowls of chili. We would eat a ton. We would play with our friends. The adults would socialize. This was one of my favorite parts about Halloween.

Chili:

1 pound of ground beef
1 tbl 1/2 tsp Chili powder
2 tbl paprika
2 tbl crushed red peppers
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 can black beans
1 can kidney means
1 can chili beans
1 can of ranch style beans
1 can of tomato chunks
1/2 onion chopped
1 green pepper
Sour cream
Shredded cheese

1. Brown meat with spices in the bottom of a large stock pot
2. Chop onion and pepper
   
3. Open up cans of bean, train only kidney and black beans
   
4. Dumb beans, tomato, onion, and pepper into the pot
   
5. Let simmer until it is warm throughout (30 minutes)
6. Taste and add spices to taste
   
7. Serve in a bowl with sour cream and shredded cheese
   

Italian Pasta Salad

My fiance lived in Italy for two years while he was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. He grew very attached to the people there. He grew to love them, care for them and immersed himself in the culture. On of the biggest parts of the culture in Italy is the food. Meals are very important to Italians. Their Italian food is completely different from American Italian food. It is actually a lot lighter. It may not be authentic Italian food but it is pretty close. You can mix up the ingredients if you want to but it is filling and yummy.

1 lb of pene pasta
1/2 pound of cooked shrimp
1 cup of olives (assorted)
3/4 cup of sun dried tomatoes
1/2 cup of artichoke arts
1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes
4 basil leaves (torn into smaller pieces)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp pepper

1. Cook the pasta in water and lots of salt
   
2. Combine all ingredients in in a large bowl
   
3. Coat with olive oil add spices and toss
   

Chicken Tortilla Soup

In most families when you are sick they say that the cure is chicken noodles soup. In my family the cure to all ailment is Chicken Tortilla Soup. It is the meal that I look forward to in the winter. You can smell it throughout the house, it smells warm and cozy. You take one bite and your body feels better already. It is filling. It is healthy. It is delicious. It makes great leftovers.

2 lb of chicken breasts
2 cups of water
1 (14 oz) can of chicken broth
1 (14oz) can of beef broth
1 can tomatoes cut cup
1/2 cup chopped up
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
tortilla chips
shredded cheese
1 avocado, peeled and cut into chunks
snipped cilantro

• Cut Chicken into 1 inch cubes; set aside
• In a large saucepan combine water, beef brother, chicken broth, undrained tomatoes, onion, green pepper. Bring to boil.
  
• Add chicken; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
  
• Add corn, chili powder, cumin, and pepper. Simmer covered for 10 minutes more.
• To serve, place crushed tortilla chips into each bow. Ladle soup over tortilla chips. Sprinkle with cheese, avocado cilantro, if desired.