Kids Cook - Chili

This week we had the kids cook us chili and cornbread for dinner!  It gives the kids some time in the kitchen and a sense of accomplishment because they "cooked" dinner!  So fun!

Chili Cooking

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of beef (or turkey)
• 3 stalks of celery
• 1 small onion
• 1 large jar of tomato juice
• 1 1/2 tomatoes (about a cup and a half chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups chili beans (home cooked - see recipe below or 1 can of beans)
• 1 can tomato paste
• brown sugar (the not so secret "secret ingredient")
• chili powder

Prep Work:

• Cook the meat with the onions and celery
• Sprinkle the meat with chili powder
• When cooked through - set aside
• Dice the tomatoes
• Prepare the beans (if homemade - see recipe at end)

Kids Work:

• In a large pot mix the meat
• Add the tomatoes
• Add the beans (with some of the sauce)
• Add the tomato paste
• Add the tomato juice
• Add a spoonful of brown sugar
• Add a spoonful of chili powder
• Mix everything together!

Cooking

Simmer on the stove for about a half hour to blend the flavors and warm it all up - then enjoy!

Cornbread Cooking

Ingredients:

• (for a full 13x9 pan; halve it for enough for a family of 4/5)
• 2/3 cup butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 2/3 cups milk
• 2 1/3 cups flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• sprinkle of salt

Prep Work:

Have all the ingredients and a hand-held mixer ready to go!

Kids Work:

• Kids love to use the mixer - just be sure little fingers stay out of the bowl and that if you leave the mixer to grab and ingredient - unplug it.  And make sure it is "off" before plugging it back in!
• Have the kids cream the butter and sugar (you can make the butter very soft by microwaving it for 20 seconds or so - a little melted is fine)
• Add the eggs and milk
• Mix again
• Then add the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and sprinkle with salt.  You can add all these on top of the liquid and just give it a quick mix to distribute the baking powder a little.
• Mix again - and done!

Cooking:

Cook in a 400 degree oven for 22-27 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Here's what you will have!  Yummmmmmm....

Home cooked beans

These are very easy to make and much tastier than the store-bought (and healthier too!)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water (or more)
• 3 cups (or a little more) of dry pinto beans soaked in water overnights
• small onion (chopped)
• 4 garlic cloves (chopped)
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1/4 cup taco seasoning (great homemade seasoning recipe: http://www.theyummylife.com/recipes/76 but I don't add the cocoa powder)

Recipe:

• Discard water and rinse beans
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium high heat
• Add 1 small onion (chopped)
• Add 4 garlic cloves (chopped)
• Saute the onion and garlic until soft
• Add the tomato paste and stir to combine
• Add 1/4-1/3 cup taco seasoning (homemade seasoning recipe here)
• Add 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth) and 4 cups water
• Add the beans
• Strongly simmer uncovered for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, keep the water level just the beans (just add water when necessary) and cook until the beans are tasty and tender