Chili was my mom’s go-to supper, when we were pressed for time and had somewhere to be. Most likely, as we were the pastor’s family, that somewhere was a church service. My sisters and brother were less than thrilled to have chili on Christmas Eve, but they had Christmas cookies and other goodies to look forward to when we came home. Unlike my siblings, I always looked forward to eating chili. We would also eat chili on Wednesday nights before Lenten services, or other times Mom needed to throw together a quick and easy supper.
As a mom myself, I make chili on ballet and choir nights. My sister-in-law will request my chili because I make it like her own mom used to. Her children don’t like chili, so she doesn’t make it at home. Neither do mine, but that doesn’t stop me! I mix together cornbread batter and throw it in the oven to make my children happy. I serve chili with lots of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, diced raw onion, and oyster crackers. Ed will chop up a fresh jalapeno for some extra heat in his bowl.
Chili is so versatile; make it in the crock pot in the morning or an hour before you eat. Throw in some chopped green peppers or leave them out. Add the rest of that jar of salsa when the tortilla chip bag is empty. Use tender, shredded boneless chicken breasts for a different flavor. Chili always tastes even better the next day–leftovers I actually like to eat. A friend from MOPS and I agree…when making chili at home, use very lean ground beef. When bringing chili to a new mother or a grieving family, use the less lean beef! She was kind enough to bring her own version of chili to our home when my mom died.
Mom’s Chili
1 lb. lean ground beef 1 large can chili beans in sauce 1 large can petite diced tomatoes 1 medium white or yellow onion, diced chili powder 2 whole bay leavesBrown ground beef and drain well. Add the cans of chili beans and tomatoes. Add the onion, keeping some in reserve for serving the chili. Stir in chili powder (I don’t measure it, so sprinkle it to your taste) along with two whole bay leaves. Simmer for at least an hour on the stove, or cook on low in the crock pot all day. Remove bay leaves before serving. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, raw onions and oyster crackers.
For more recipes and the stories behind them, visit Gretchen at Second Blooming. I’m also linking up with Shangrila at My Bella Figlia with a new meme about mothers.
Sounds delicious, and I don't measure my chili powder anymore either. Chili is one of the recipes I make where it's different every time. 🙂
I love chili! This recipe sounds great and theres nothing better than a comfort food with so many memories attached!
Ooh, I love chili. I use a recipe from Weight Watchers that I found years ago, which is for turkey chili, adds lots of carrots and peppers for the texture and some beans. Not very "hot", but still spicy and oh so good on a cold night.
I LOVE this post! Your sweet mother, the pastor's wife, making her pot of chili. Sounds lovely. And delicious!
You're linked!
It's funny…the kids used to like chili…or at least one of 'em did. We'll see if we can't get them to change their minds in the future. I absolutely love your chili!
Your chili sounds wonderful. My mom would make chili but I don't remember her making it from scratch. She always made it chili mac with macaroni. I never cared for it. I make a black bean chili in the crock pot and we love it. Give me some cheese with sour cream to top it off, along with some garlic bread and we have a meal!
Mmmmm…. I love chili! My husband's mom makes the best chili so I don't even bother but one day I think I should learn how to make it :). I try to eat turkey meat in my chili so she uses ground turkey instead of ground beef and also chops up some turkey kielbasa sausage. Delish!
Chili is awesome, isn't it? In fact, I just pulled some out of the freezer the other night — a batch I had made a month ago or so. I always double it and freeze half. Add a bit of sour cream and some cheddar cheese and we were good to go. I just commented to my husband about your idea of throwing some chopped onions on top. That sounds fantastic!
Wow – super simple recipe – thanks!
YUM!!! Funny, my daughter has ballet tonight…. and we're having chili! It's been simmering away all day. My recipe is a bit more involved, but I'm not complaining. The kids eat it and could care less that it's highly nutritious! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your recipe — my new quick chili/forgot to plan ahead recipe!!!
Ooooh, now I know what to make for dinner tomorrow! I love chili! 🙂
I love chili, I wish my kids liked it more. I love it with cheese or sour cream.
How cool! We love chili in my house but we always buy it in the can….no comments please LOL
My mum has a great recipe as well. Look in the fridge to see what's left over from previous meals. Take it all, chop it up, mix and throw in a pan. Heat up. It's very much hit and miss and whenever she wants to make that, I go to McDonalds, since it's more miss than hit!
Ooohhh…this sounds SO good! I love chili!