It's Chili Time

Gather up your canned kidney beans red, black and cannellini, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili mix and grab your large cooking pot for a batch of amazing chili.  Fall just brings out the need for comfort foods cooking on my stove while the leaves are falling outside.  It literally took me 30 minutes to put this together and the most time involved was browning the ground turkey and ground beef.  I used a combo and the fat content and flavor is one I like together.  Use your own ratio or mix but chili can be made in so many ways.  This is what I like about chili.  Simple ingredients and best to serve it up with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream.  I like using Mccormick chili low sodium mix and my secret ingredient is the Spice House freshly ground cinnamon.  Adding the cinnamon as the last ingredient adds a hit of sweet to this delicious dish.  Drain the liquid from the kidney beans before putting in the pot and put it all together, cook on the stove top for a couple of hours and serve it tonight.  I also baked these awesome cheese biscuits as a perfect side and they only took me 5 minutes to mix in a bowl, an 15 minutes to bake.  I used Red Lobster  cheddar bay biscuit mix I found in my grocery store and all you need is water, the mix and shredded cheddar cheese. 

All photos Lakehouselyn

Taco Pockets for Election Day Viewing.

                Here's step-by-step how to make delicious easy to eat Taco Pockets

It's been a long road to election day and it's finally time to cast votes, find a comfy couch or chair and tune in to news coverage. Taco pockets are on our menu for Tuesday. (recipe below) Make them today for your viewing party.  I'll admit my I was tempted to taste these as they came out of the oven! After all, who would know?:)  You can make these ahead of time, place them on a parchment covered baking sheet in the refrigerator and reheat the next day. To reheat, cover with aluminum foil and heat in a 350 oven until they are warmed through 10 minutes or so.  Serve with salsa and sour cream on the side for dipping.  I bought blue tortilla chips and my favorite Marianos Pineapple & Poblano guacamole.  Now for a pitcher of margaritas and we are all set for an interesting evening of election results.

1) Brown ground beef in a skillet until well browned, stirring often. Pour off fat.  Add taco seasoning and 2/3 cup water.  Stir in 1 cup of your favorite salsa.
2) Thaw PepperidgeFarm frozen pastry sheets for 30-40 minutes at room temperature. Heat oven to 400. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
3) Stir 1 egg and tablespoon water in a bowl.
4) Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a baking sheet. Cut into 4 squares. Repeat with remaining pastry sheet on other baking sheet.
5) Place 1/3 cup beef mixture on each center on square. Top each with 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese. Brush edges of pastry sheet with water. Fold pastry over the filling and crimp edges with a fork. Brush the pastry squares with the egg mixture.
6) Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve warm and enjoy.

** To make these gluten free, substitute gluten free pie dough instead of Pepperidge Farm pastry sheets and use a gluten free taco seasoning.