It's Crunchy, Munchy Chili Time!

Every year when September rolls along. . .
it's Crunchy, Munchy Chili time!

"Mr. Ed" and I look forward to cooler temperatures, time together before his busy season, and the beginning of our Annual Trout Fishing Trip to Bennett Spring State Park.
So. . .when the calendar turns over, the first thing Ed looks at when he comes home is the dining room table and then the Menu board to see what "gourmet treat" is in store.

Although our dining room table can easily seat four, most times I set an intimate table for"just the two of us". Spring and Fall we like to set together instead of across from one another. We both have a great view of the deck and the back yard.

Tonight we're going very casual. Instead of place mats, I simply used an extra napkin folded in half and draped over the edge of the table about five inches.

Casual dining? ? ? . . . the addition of the salad fork will be used for dessert tonight. Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake from Martha White!

Ed and I found this while out grocery shopping this past weekend. I love the ease of Martha White Muffin  Mixes. . .so thought we'd give this a try.

Easy enough ~ 2/3 cups water, 1 egg, 1 Tbsp. oil . . .

oops. . . there's the egg!

Cake mix and streusel mix in the box. Stir by hand.

Bake for 30 ~ 33 minutes in a 375 degree oven. M~m~m the whole upstairs smells yummy!

Add salt and pepper shakers to the table, bowl of Fritos and shredded cheese, iced tea for him, water for me.

AND. . .
there you have it. . .Crunchy, Munchy Chili served up piping hot!

Embellished with shredded cheese and Fritos!

Dear Lord,
We accept this meal as your gift,
May we partake of it's bountiful blessing
and nourishment to our bodies;
Open our senses to it's goodness;
May it give us strength to go forward to serve you.
Amen


Crunchy, Munchy Chili Recipe:
2 lbs. ground beef, browned and drained
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 46 oz. can of Tomato Juice
1 10 oz. can of (Mild) Rotel
1 15.5 oz. can of Dark Red Kidney Beans
1 14.5 oz. can of Diced Tomatoes
2 tsp. Chili Powder
1 Tbsp. butter
Sea Salt (to taste)
Coarse Ground Pepper (to taste)
Small bag Fritos Corn Chips
1/2 cup Colby Jack Cheese, shredded

In a large skillet brown and drain hamburger; set aside.
In the meantime; melt butter in a dutch oven . (6 to 8 quart size)
Add onion, garlic, celery and saute 2 - 3 minutes on med. high to high heat. Add browned hamburger, chili powder, sea salt and coarse ground black pepper. Pour in tomato juice, diced tomatoes, rotel and kidney beans. Stir to combine and bring to a boil over med. high heat. Simmer on low to med. high heat 20 - 30 minutes.

Spoon into bowls.
Garnish with cheese and Fritos corn chips.
Serve piping hot!
Enjoy!
Makes 6 - 8 servings.

As my nephew, in the days of his youth, would say. . .
"All this and dessert, too!"
. . . and it was good!

Until next time. . .