3.27.2009

Snow Day!

Yesterday at my house, it started to do this:

So I decided to make a big pot of this (recipe follows...oh my gosh, YUM!):

I hung out with my most favorite people in the world (who had just come in from a little romp in the snow!):

And watched as this little guy turned on the charm:

I just love snow days!  

Another reason it was so great to be in my house were the yummy smells coming from my kitchen!  I found a recipe for Cincinnati-style chili in Cooking Light magazine, and since I am a displaced person who misses Cincinnati's Skyline Chili greatly, I had to make it.  I am so glad I did!  Even if you have a regular chili recipe that you love, the spices in this one make it a unique addition to your repertoire, something totally different than the traditional chili flavors.  I highly recommend it!

Cincinnati Chili

Ingredients:
cooking spray
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin (although I used ground turkey and it was great)
1 1/2 cups diced onions
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 teaspoons garam masala (an Indian spice I found in my local grocery store spice aisle)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup water
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (I used Muir Glen fire roasted)
2 (15.5 ounce) cans dark red kidney beans, drained
1 (15.5 ounce) can light red kidney beans, drained

Directions:
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Coat with cooking spray.  Add ground beef or turkey to pan with 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until meat is browned, stirring to crumble.  Transfer beef to a small bowl.

Reduce heat to medium and recoat pan with more cooking spray.  Add onions and cook for 4 minutes or until softened.  Add garlic and cook for one more minute, stirring constantly.  Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, canola oil, and the next 4 ingredients (through nutmeg).  Cook one minute or until fragrant, stirring constantly.  Add tomato paste and cook one minute.  Add 1 cup water, red wine vinegar, and tomatoes and bring to a boil.  Then add ground beef and the drained kidney beans.  Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes.  (We always find that if you can let the dish sit overnight the flavors are even better the next day!)

To serve, top with more chopped onions, drained kidney beans, or shredded cheese.  For this Cincinnati girl, it tasted almost like a Skyline Chili 3-Way, oh yeah!

And because some of us (ah...me!) are battling the post-baby weight, I am going to include some nutritional information, in case anyone else wants to see how this dish stacks up.  Serving size is 1 1/4 cup per person, and each serving is 276 calories, 6 grams of fat and 9.1 grams of fiber.  Not bad!

Have a great weekend!


53 comments:

Stacey said...

Your little family is so sweet. Enjoy your time and your new chili recipe. Henry is really growing!

angie {the arthur clan} said...

As an Ohio gal, I have to tell you that I LOVE Cincinnati Chili and make it all the time. Yummy!

I so wish that I lived close to you so I could photograph your kiddos. They are both just so darn cute!

Kelli said...

Hey! Mmmm chili! That will be you nice and warm and having your home smelling oh so good. Enjoy.

Amy said...

That chili sounds great, and looks awesome in your cute red pot! Enjoy the snow! I love your daughter's rosy cheeks and big smile, too!

Kim said...

I'm going to try this recipe! Just love chili!!

Glad to see you posted! But, you take care of yourself girl! You are especially busy with the little ones!

Marla said...

I am also a displaced midwestern who craves a little skyline ...we stock up on cans whenever we pass through! can't wait to try this recipe this weekend!

Kellye said...

MMMMMM...sounds great and your family is just adorable. The baby is getting so big so quick. I wish I was snowed in today, but unfortunately in Lousiana we go from winter to summer in about 1 week. ITS CRAZY!! We are already in the 80's and its miserable...so much for spring around here. Enjoy your day!!

Anonymous said...

that chili looks yummy! your kids are just the cutest! don't you love it when family is all together... have a blessed weekend.

Jodee said...

Enjoy your snow day! That soup looks delicious!

Sarah said...

Oh, I love me some Cinci Chili! I've never made it from scratch though...I'm too loyal to the packet you can buy at the grocery store. I have my mom and sister bring it to me whenever they come and visit!

Your family is beautiful!

daniella said...

your boy is absolutely precious! that smile will (almost) get him anything he wants. Wow, I can't believe you guys are still getting so much snow! You must be used to it, I'd go bananas.

Jboo said...

Sounds yummy and perfect for a snow day!! Hope you're not sending that snow this way!!

Have a fun weekend with the fam!

Janet

Unknown said...

Yum! Makes me hungry for some Skyline Chili. Want me to send you some? Great pictures.

duchess said...

The food looks good, the snow - not so much.
They sure are two cute kiddos.
Enjoy your weekend.

Kristi said...

It was quite the snow, huh? Great pictures of your family and that chili looks great! I'll have to make a pot of that for the next storm.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I can't believe you got snow!!

You are so blessed my friend...what a beautiful family you have and that Chili looks devine!! I will have to try your recipe, we love Chili in this house!

Come stop by my blog, I know you don't have much time these days, but I think you might want to enter my giveaway:)

Lisa

ZONE F DG TEAM said...

I have my own chili recipe I tend to use but you just may have sold me on trying something new.

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

Love the photos! The Chili sounds Yummy!

Amber said...

As a Cincinnatian, I must ask if you think the Cincinnati style chili recipe is more Skyline or Gold Star? ;) I bring cans back from Sams in my suitcase, but then I kind of hold onto them and have a hard time breaking into them because the supply is limited! I might have to try out this recipe.

Wendy said...

Always glad when you post! Now I'm in the mood for chili!

the undomesticated wife said...

I'm shivering just looking at the picture of the snow!

Lana said...

Yumm! That chili looks fantastic! I could eat it right up! Your family is absolutely adorable!

Shannon said...

Love her rosy cheeks! So precious!

That chili looks delicious!!

Ally's Corner said...

Wish my husband would eat chili, but he doesn't. Has something to do with when he was little his mother fed him chili when he was sick. Since then he will not eat it.Love the snow picture, but I'm so ready for spring.
Ally

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I could do this exact post with chicken noodle soup instead! We had fun with the snow.

Anonymous said...

Have been following your blog for a bit and had no idea you were from Ohio - yea!! We are true to Skyline Chili - my son lives in Steamboat Springs and I mail him the packets all the time. He has introduced his fellow skiers to his hometown favorite! Love your blog!!! Barbara

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

I saw where you guys were getting hit with a spring blizzard! Fun...and the perfect weather for chili!!!

Lisa said...

Don't you just love a good snow day? We did almost the exact same thing except I made a big batch of taco soup! Yummy! Tomorrow is will be back in the 50's--bye bye snow! :)

I am Mom said...

Oh! Im so glad I stopped by today. I used to make this when we were first married - but totally forgot about it! jealous of your snow days :)

Eloise said...

Wow! That is some snow. It looks so beautiful and is certainly a great excuse to make chili. Thanks for the recipe - your version sounds and looks delicious.

Baby Henry just gets cuter and cuter! I'm so glad you're enjoying him so.

Hugs to all.

Susan@The Cozy Chickadee said...

I've been reading your blog for awhile now, but this is my first time commenting. Your family is darling, and your blog is really fun. I also live in Colorado, so check out my blog! I also love Goodwill, but my favorite one is In old Aurora.

Sit A Spell said...

Great shots of your family...beautiful. However, I have to pass on that Chili! My neighbor in Atlanta was from there and made it for me...no thank you on add ins. : ) (and over pasta...oh my, too much for this southern girl!) lol

Oh, how did you like living in Cinni?

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

Ahh everybody looks sooo cute! And the chili looks YUMMY! Sounds like a great snow day!

Mimi Sue said...

Sounds pretty darn good. Perfect for a snowy day. Mimi

Ms. Tee said...

Awww, their little cheeks are so rosy! :) And your little Henry is growing so fast and has such a sweet little smile!

Davene said...

Snow?! Doesn't the weatherman know that spring is supposed to be here? ;)

That chili looks and sounds delicious. You're right: the spices do sound different than other chili recipes I use. One that I like actually includes chocolate syrup! It's fun to try new twists on old favorites.

Your children are so adorable!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

So sweet! We go to Skyline at least one Sunday a month, sometimes ALL!! Love it!!

Our Complete Family said...

We woke up to snow today. Blew my mind since we just had shorts and tshirt weather last week. Wild stuff!
Yummo recipe! My mouth is watering! I bet your house smelled great as it was cooking.
Aww~ the kiddos look darling in the pics. I loved seeing them!
Happy week ahead to your sweet fam~ xo Les

abeachcottage said...

oooh I like the look of that, the snow *and the chilli

Sarah

Mandi Shandi said...

YUM! I love chili, so I will have to try this one! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I love snow days too, but we don't really get them in SC. Your family gets cuter every time you put up new pics. Little man is gonna be a charmer.

Joanna said...

Chili on a snow day, perfect!

Lisa & Gerald said...

mmmm sounds yummy.. Im going to have to try this one too..

Shannon said...

Thanks for the recipe! I have a recipe for this that I got off the internet a while back (it's one of my husbands favorites, too) but I'd love to try the Cooking Light version.

Ruby Red Slippers said...

Yum!
...and everyone looks so happy!!! Love to you guys in the snow-you are not alone, we got dumped on too. *sigh* Winter is never ending...

2 Little Irish Boys said...

I love Skyline Chili. I make a great dip: cream cheese topped with Skyline Chili (I use the frozen in box) then cheese. Heat in the oven till hot and serve with chips--yummy!!

Jo said...

It's great to hear from you!

Everyone looks happy and healthy ~ what cuties you have. The chili looks wonderful, I'll have to try it soon.

As for the snow ~ I'm finished for the year ~ my new favorite color is green! :)

Have a wonderful day,
Jo

SoBella Creations said...

Sounds like the perfect way to spend the day!

Tammy said...

Wow, I've visited your blog for awhile and never knew you were a fellow Cincinnati girl!!

You've definitely made me hungry for some Skyline...I'll have to try your recipe!

Miss E said...

What a fun day! Your family is too cute. I'm going to have to try out your chili recipe!

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Hope you're still warm and loving on that beautiful family!

jennykate77 said...

Don't know how I missed this last week? I'm always on the lookout for a new Buzzings of a Queen Bee post! The Cincinnati Chili looks and sounds yumm-O! Cute cute pics of your sweet peas!

Hope you've been having a wonderful week! Happy Friday!

Unknown said...

What a perfect snow day recipe! I love it : ) I can't wait to make this!

Shannon said...

As a former Cincinnati girl, your recipe caught my eye! I'll have to try out this variation. I've tried several different kinds, but my favorite has dark chocolate in it! I know that may sound a bit strange, but the chocolate adds a sweetness that offsets some of the spicyness from the other ingredients. Keep up the great work; I'm enjoying reading your blog!