Election Day Chili and Cheesecake - Red White and Blue

Taste of Home

It's Election Day and a good reason to gather together to watch the returns.   When you return from casting your vote, grab your dutch oven and prepare a large pot of"Red, White and Blue Chili".... (this chili will get your vote no matter which way you go at the polls).  And the recipe will give you 8 servings or about 2 quarts. Add extra cans of tomatoes, broth, and beans if you are expecting a larger crowd.  
*To save time, make the chili the day before.  Gives the flavors a chance to fuse together beautifully. 

Here's what you will need:

1/4 cup diced onion
2 minced cloves of garlic (modify to your liking)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans Mexican diced tomatoes, undrained
2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 envelope chili seasoning
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Blue Tortilla Chips (found in potato chip aisle of most grocery stores)

In a Dutch oven or your soup kettle, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender.  Stir in the tomatoes, broth, chicken, beans, chili seasoning, brown sugar, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.  
Serve with the Blue Tortilla Chips on the side and you have Red and Blue Chili.

Top off slices of your favorite store bought cheesecake  with fresh blueberries and strawberries or raspberries for Red, White and Blue Dessert!  Grab a chair, relax and enjoy.

            Happy Tuesday and Thanks for Stopping by.   I Hope to See You Soon.

Hometown Chili Cook Off

Host a neighborhood cook off or ask your overnight guests to bring a small pot of their homemade chili  to share.  Have a friendly judging  and indulge!!  Perfect weekend food and I personally think chili tastes even better the second or third days.  Provide the bowls, napkins, flatware, beverages, and set up a bar of fun toppings.  Here are just a few ideas:

Sour Cream, Shredded cheese, Diced onion, Diced jalapeno, Diced tomatoes, Tabasco sauce,  Avocado slices, Fresh chopped cilantro,Cornbread, butter, and Oyster crackers

Set out a large bowl of Tostito Chips or Nacho Chips to pour chili over

Platters of Cooked Hot Dogs for Chili Dogs

My personal favorite!  Individual bags of Frito Lay Fritos.  Open a bag, ladle chili of choice right in the bag, eat right out of the bag with a spoon.  Seriously best EVER!! 

Here's a Slow Cooker Chili Recipe that is easy to assemble and Ready to Eat in 4 hours! Serves 7

1 lb. ground beef, 1 chopped onion, 2 green peppers (chopped), 5 - 15 ounce cans kidney beans with liquid, 1 - 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, 1.4 teaspoon chili powder

Saute the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned.  Transfer to a slow cooker.  Add the onion, green peppers, beans and tomatoes to the slow cooker.  Season with chili powder to taste.  Cook on high setting for 4 hours and serve! I have a delicious Pumpkin Chili recipe to share with you in a future blog.   Happy Weekend.