The Best Chili on Earth

Megan Porta

The BEST chili your lips will ever taste. I promise. 

Contributed by Megan Porta from pipandebby.com.

Published Feb 15, 2012

Serves: 12

Total time: 8-9 hrs (crockpot), 2.5 hrs (stovetop)

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef, turkey or venison
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow or white onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped (optional)
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 46-oz. can tomato juice
• 28-oz. can diced tomatoes
• 15-oz. can tomato sauce
• 16-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 16-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• Shredded cheese and sour cream, for topping

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, cook ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Transfer the meat to a bowl. Drain excess grease from skillet, but do not clean.
2. Add the olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion, green pepper, garlic, parsley and jalapeño peppers (if using) and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and fragrant (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir until combined.
3. If cooking the chili stovetop, add the cooked meat back to the skillet. If using a slow cooker, add meat-veggie mixture to the slow cooker. Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans to either the skillet or slow cooker, depending on which you are using. On stovetop, bring to a boil, dial back to medium-low and simmer for 2 hours. In slow cooker, cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Serve warm with cheese and sour cream.

Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Chicken Tacos

Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Chicken Tacos

Recipe from : Will Cook for Smiles

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 6 -8 tacos

Author Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

• Chicken:
• 2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
• 3 Tbsp sriracha sauce
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp lime juice
• Salt
• Tacos:
• 6-8 taco shells
• 1 avocado peeled and pit take out
• 1-2 cups mixed greens
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion
• Sauce:
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1 Tbsp finely minced cilantro
• 2 tsp lime juice
• Salt
• __
• 1 Tbsp sriracha + 1/2 Tbsp honey for topping

Instructions

1. Combine sriracha, honey, salt, and lime juice for marinating the chicken. Mix and slather both chicken breasts with the mixture. Let it marinade for about 15 minutes. (You can also let it marinade for longer in the fridge.) You can prepare the chicken on the grill or in a skillet on a stove top. Cook on both sides until done. Take off heat and cool a little bit, until you can handle it enough to cut.
2. In a small sauce bowl, mix together sour cream, finely minced cilantro, lime juice and salt. Set aside.
3. Mix together 1 Tbsp of sriracha and 1/2 Tbsp of honey. (You can always make more if you like more sauce and more heat.) Set aside.
4. (To drizzle sauces, I usually add them to separate small zip-lock bags and cut off little tips when I'm ready to drizzle. That way I don't have to wash a million squeeze bottles or use pricey piping bags.)
5. Slice chicken and add some to each taco shell.
6. Add some diced avocado, greens, and green onion on top of chicken.
7. Drizzle with sour cream sauce and honey sriracha on top.
8. Serve right away.

Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey Garlic Chicken
Link to Recipe

Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

This honey garlic chicken stir fry recipe is chicken and vegetables, cooked to perfection and tossed in a sweet and savory sauce.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 263 kcal

Author Dinner at the Zoo

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil divided use
• 1 cup thinly sliced peeled carrots
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth or water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large pan over medium heat. 
2. Add the broccoli and carrots and cook for approximately 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
3. Remove the vegetables from the pan; place them on a plate and cover.
4. Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel and turn the heat to high. 
5. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil.
6. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and add them to the pan in a single layer - you may need to do this step in batches. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
7. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds.
8. Add the vegetables back to the pan and cook for 2 more minutes or until the vegetables are warmed through.
9. In a bowl whisk together the chicken broth, honey and soy sauce. 
10. In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water.
11. Pour the soy sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables; cook for 30 seconds. 
12. Add the cornstarch and bring to a boil; cook for 1 more minute or until sauce has just started to thicken.
13. Serve immediately, with rice if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Amount Per Serving

Calories 263 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g 12%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Cholesterol 65mg 22%

Sodium 990mg 41%

Total Carbohydrates 23g 8%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 17g

Protein 29g 58%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This just may be our FAVORITE cookie recipe!

Soft Maple Sugar Cookies 

Sweet Community Rating:	Not yet rated!
Prep time :	0:15
Bake/Cook time :	0:08 to 0:10
Yield :	22 cookies
Chef :	Jessica Segarra

Description

Maple is one of the most under-appreciated flavors, but not for long! These sweet and soft maple sugar cookies pack a double whammy with maple flavoring in the cookie as well as the icing - making them the perfect Fall dessert.

Ingredients

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour* 

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 

1/3 cup vegetable oil 

1 1/2 cup Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar

1 large egg 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

1/2 teaspoon maple extract 

2 cups Dixie Crystals Confectioners Powdered Sugar

2 tablespoons water 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1/2 teaspoon maple extract 

Sprinkles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter, vegetable oil and sugar until well combined.   Mix in egg, vanilla extract and maple extract.
4. Add flour mixture 1 cup at a time, mixing until completely combined.
5. Roll 2 tablespoons of dough into balls and place on prepared baking sheet, leaving room for spreading. Lightly flatten dough balls with bottom of a cup into a disk shape.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until edges are set.  Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes on baking pan.  Transfer to a cooling rack.
7. For icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, water, vanilla extract and maple extract until smooth.
8. Using a spoon, smooth icing onto top of each cookie. Quickly sprinkle with sprinkles if desired and let set for 10 minutes, or until hardened.
9. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

All content rights reserved. 2012-2017 , Dixie Crystals

Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies

BAKERY STYLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

yield: 12-18 COOKIES

Crazy for crust

These Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies are gooey, chocolatey, XL, and filled with brown butter!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 sticks butter (we’re going to brown it!)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract, optional
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, about 6 minutes, until it becomes brown in color. It will foam, reduce, then foam again. Once it’s done cooking the foam is a light brown and it will dissipate after you remove it from the heat. Once it starts to brown, keep stirring so it doesn’t burn. Let sit for about 5 minutes to cool. (Here is a visual on how to brown butter.)
2. Pour into an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. While still hot, add both sugars and mix on low until combined. Let sit to cool for a few minutes.
3. While butter mixture is cooling, combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir and set aside.
4. Turn mixer (with butter mixture bowl attached) on low. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing completely. Mix in vanilla extract and almond extract (optional, but it adds great flavor). Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
   Important: Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill dough for at least 3 hours. I chilled mine overnight. It must be COMPLETELY cold before you bake it for these to turn out properly.
5. NOTE: to make it easier to scoop, let the dough chill for about 30 minutes so it's not too liquidy, then scoop your dough onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Cover with plastic and chill for several hours or overnight, then place on baking sheets as in step 7 below.)
6. Preheat oven to 350°. Line cookie sheets with parchment or silpat liners. If your dough has been chilling overnight, you may need to let it sit at room temp for about 20 minutes before you can scoop it. Even then, it’s gonna be an arm workout. It’s worth it!
7. Scoop out 1/4 cup sized balls and place 6-8 on a sheet. They don’t spread a lot, but they’re BIG cookies.
   Bake for about 11-12 minutes. They will be golden on the outside and still doughy on the inside - perfect! Let cool for 5 minutes, and then remove from pans to cool completely.

NOTES:

Note: several readers have commented that the dough is "dry" when scooping. If you've measured your flour correctly (spoon/leveling, not packing) then the reason for this is because of the chilling. The dough isn't dry so much as crumbly. Spending overnight in the refrigerator makes the dough really hard and hard to scoop. It's an arm workout, but it's worth it. Squish the dough together as much as possible (or let it warm up a little on the counter before scooping) and they'll still turn out fine! The note in step 5 will reduce this issue!

Slow Cooker "Melt in Your Mouth" Pot Roast

Slow Cooker "Melt in Your Mouth" Pot Roast

Joyously Domestic

Ingredients:

1 chuck roast (mine was 3 pounds)
Olive oil
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 onion, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 stalks celery, cut into large chunks (optional)
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon corn starch

SEASONING MIX -

2 tablespoons steak seasoning (mine is store-bought and has a blend of peppercorns, garlic, paprika, parsley and salt)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried rosemary

Directions:

Combine together seasoning mix in a small bowl.  Set aside.

Coat both sides of meat with olive oil.  Sprinkle on a third of the seasoning mix onto each side.

Sear both sides of the meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Transfer roast to slow cooker.

Place the vegetables in a large bowl.  Drizzle on a little olive oil to coat vegetables.  Sprinkle on the remaining seasoning mix.  Add the vegetables to the same skillet that was used to sear the meat. Sauté for about five minutes - stirring occasionally.

Transfer the vegetables to the top of the roast in the slow cooker.  Pour in the beef broth. Cover with lid.

Cook on low for 9 hours or on high for 6 hours.

Using a turkey baster, retrieve most of the cooking juices from the slow cooker.  Transfer juices to a small sauce pan and bring to a simmer over medium heat on the stovetop.  Whisk together the cornstarch with a little water.  Blend into the pan juices while whisking.  Bring back to a simmer until thickened.  Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Transfer the roast and vegetables to a large platter.  Ladle the gravy over.  Serve immediately.

The Best Cornbread (and Fluffy Honey Butter)

The Best Cornbread

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

I often use half to 3/4 finely ground white whole wheat flour with good results - and sometimes I get crazy and use 100% whole wheat flour (always finely ground white wheat); the cornbread is a bit more dense with all wheat flour but still delicious. 

Over the last few years of making this, I've toyed with the sugar amount and almost always end up decreasing it (often cutting it in half). The cornbread is still plenty sweet and delicious. 

INGREDIENTS

Cornbread:
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 1/2 cups flour (see note above)
• 2/3 cup sugar (see note above)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup oil
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/4 cup milk
Honey Butter:
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup marshmallow fluff

DIRECTIONS

1. For the cornbread, add dry ingredients, make a well and add oil, butter, eggs, and milk into the center. Stir until just mixed (batter will be runny – don’t be alarmed!). Bake in an 8” square pan at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. This doubles perfectly for a 9X13-inch pan.
2. For the honey butter, whip all together with an electric mixer and serve at room temperature (can be refrigerated and softened).