Starter Chili

Yes, every time you (and I) think this blog is dead, I find inspiration for another post. Today’s inspiration? A can of chili.

When I first started dating Eric, he was eating canned or frozen something for every meal. His go-to can of choice? A can of Amy’s Chili. Now, I do give him props for at least choosing something natural and organic, but the can strips so many of the awesome nutrients that are vital to Eric’s health. And, let’s face it, I’m kind of hoping to keep the guy around for several more decades. I’ve grown quite fond of him. Sigh….

Each morning, I prepare lunch for Eric and try to pack as many vegetables in there as he won’t notice. Sometimes I can get in quite a few. Other times, I get the “honey, I appreciate that you were trying a new recipe but why all those vegetables?” It’s a fine line, but someone has got to walk it. So lately, I’ve been drawing inspiration from Eric’s former bad  habits. The man loves chili. However, I don’t have the time (or the crock pot) to really develop a nice, full flavored chili that would make New Mexico and Southern Colorado proud. Instead, I chop some vegetables. Eric is a fan of bell peppers, onions, corn, etc. I sautee those vegetables in olive oil to soften them up. I then add in some more meat. Sometimes it’s ground turkey. Sometimes it is smoked beef sausage. Other times its good ol’ hamburger. I cook up the meat and really extract the flavors of the vegetables. Then I add in a can of chili. The flavors of a can of chili aren’t terrible. They just need some doctoring. Eric tends to prefer more salt, pepper, and a little more heat (cayenne).

Anyway, it’s a quick, easy meal that packs a little more nutritional POW! than the traditional can of chili. Plus, Eric starts running around going “yummy, yummy, yummy, I got love in my tummy.” Yes. He’s that cute.

Have a great day!