Slow Cooker Spicy Chili

Slow-Cooker Spicy Chili

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef
2 (16 oz) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, drained
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredder Cheddar cheese

Directions:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in ground beef.  Cook and stir until beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink, about 7 minutes.  Drain and discard any excess grease.

Combine ground beef, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, onions, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper in a slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, or high for 4 hours.

Garnish each serving with Cheddar cheese.

10 servings

Blueberry Scones

Blueberry Scones
Recipe by Nordic Ware

I make scones all the time by hand, so it was time that I tried making scones with a pan.  I bought the Nordic Ware Scone pan this weekend and made my first batch of scones this morning.   I am very pleased!  This pan is made of heavyweight cast aluminum.  It can be used to make scones or cornbread, and it's designed to cook your meal evenly and thoroughly.  It features a non-stick interior coating for easy release and clean up.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
3 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Grease scone pan and set aside.

Beat egg with buttermilk and set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add butter, cutting with a pastry blender or rubbing with your fingers, until mixture resembles coars meal.

Lightly stir in blueberries and sugar. Stir in buttermilk mixture with a fork until a soft dough forms.

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5 times.  Separate dough into eight equal pieces and press into each cavity of the pan.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until medium brown.  Let cool 20 minutes in pan.  Remove from pan and cool completely.

8 scones

Nordic Ware Scone Pan

Healthy Broccoli Salad

Healthy Broccoli Salad

This reduced fat salad is great for a large gathering!

Ingredients:

2 heads fresh broccoli, chopped
1 head fresh cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 cup green olives
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup reduced fat ranch dressing

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and toss with reduced fat ranch dressing.

Refrigerate until serving.