Chili Cream Cheese Dip~by Kelsey

This recipe was introduced to us by our neighbors down the road, the Bruhn family.  It's simple and really tasty.

Ingredients:
Canned Chili (You decide what kind.  We have used hot, regular or the Walla Walla sweet one.)
Cream Cheese Bricks

On the stove top or in a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chili and the cream cheese.  The ratio is really up to you.  I think we usually use about one can of chili to one brick of cream cheese.   Heat and stir until the cream cheese is melted.    You can also add shredded cheddar cheese or cooked ground beef.  Serve with chips.

Chili Mac in the Slow Cooker ~ by Kelsey

Another fabulous recipe from my Taste of Home Ground Beef Cookbook.  It was good, the kids even ate it!  The onions, celery, and green pepper cook down to almost nothing, so the kids didn't even see them in there.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef, cooked
2 cans (15 oz each) chili beans (The recipe calls for hot chili beans.  I used regular and it was plenty spicy!)
2 large green peppers, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
4 celery ribs, chopped
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 envelope chili seasoning
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 package (7 oz) elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

In a slow cooker, combine the first eight ingredients; mix well.  Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until heated through.  Stir in cooked macaroni; mix well.  Season with salt and pepper as needed.  Don't forget to look up our cornbread recipe!

*When I made this, I made a few changes.  I didn't have elbow macaroni, I used the little round ones.  Also, I decided to throw the uncooked noodles in about an hour and a half before we ate.  It worked out fine, EXCEPT that the noodles will absorb all the liquid out of the crock pot while they cook.  Luckily I checked on it, because it was starting to burn and I had to add a couple cups of water.  In the end it was okay, but just be aware that if you add UNCOOKED noodles, you will have to add more liquid.  I have learned to always add the noodles in the last hour of cooking, too, otherwise they over-cook and turn to mush.

Mexi-Casserole ~ by Kelsey

This is a recipe passed down from Grandma Jessie.  I remember eating many, many meals of mexi-casserole while gathered around her little table in her little dining room.  It seems like it was often a meal served during a weekend of working cows.  It's a bitter-sweet memory now, since they have since moved to a new house and we won't have any more meals crowded around the old table, and grandma doesn't really cook any more now anyway.  I still love to make this casserole, though, and remember the good times!

Meat Layer Ingredients:
1 pound of ground beef
1 package of taco seasoning (reserve one tablespoon for later)
1 can of tomato soup
1 can of chili beans, drained

Cook ground beef, add taco seasoning, soup, and beans.  Spread in a 9X13 pan.

Topping Ingredients:
1 cup of pancake mix
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup cheddar cheese

Mix together.  Spoon on top and spread on the meat mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Wendy's Chili ~ by Aunt D

Have you ever eaten Wendy's Chili? From the Wendy's fast food? It is my ABSOLUTE favorite. Corny maybe, but cheap and easy I am. When my friend Megan G. at work posted on her FB that she had the recipe I was salivating! And to make it even better it was 21 degrees out and clear today in beautiful Maple Valley. So off to the market I went in search of the basics I was missing. Side note: I also made a pan of Marie Callendar's Southwest Corn Bread, the variation that adds a can of corn to it. GREAT side dish for this.

*2 lbs of ground beef, browned

*one 29oz can Tomato sauce

*one 29oz can of Kidney beans (drain liquid)

*one 29oz can of Pinto beans (drain liquid)
*one 29oz can of diced tomatoes

*1 cup diced onion

*1/2 cup diced canned green chilies

*1 cup of diced celery

*2 tsps cumin powder

*3 TBSP of chili powder

*1 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

*2 tsps salt

Brown meat and drain off fat. In a large kettle combine beef, celery, onion, and green chilies.  Sweat them for 5-10 min.  Add all other ingredients and simmer over low heat, stirring every 15-20 min for 2-3 hours.

Mouthwatering!

Smoky Beef-and-Bacon Chili ~ by Sarah

This recipe originally came from Sunset Magazine, but was given to me by my co-worker, MaryRuth.  It is so delicious and will definitely be replacing our regular chili recipe!  It is a bit spicy, so you might want to back down on the cayenne pepper and chili powder if you're wimpy like me.

Ingredients:
4 slices thick-cut bacon, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2-2 lbs. ground beef (she said this is also really good with elk burger)
1 T plus 1 1/2 t. chili powder
1 1/2 t. ground cumin
1 1/2 t. smoked paprika (You might have trouble finding this in the grocery store--I had to borrow some from MaryRuth!)
1/2 t. to 1 1/2 t. cayenne pepper
1 t. salt
1 can (14.5-oz.) crushed or diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can (8 ox.) tomato sauce
1 c. Indian Pale Ale (IPR) or pilsner
1 t. Worcestershire sauce
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can black beans, drained
sour cream, green onions, and/or grated cheddar cheese for topping

Directions:
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon, stirring until it just begins to brown, about 4-7 minutes.  Stir in garlic and onion and cook for about 1 minute.  Add ground beef and break up.  Cook 6-8 minutes; until it loses its raw color.  Stir in spices and cook 1 minute.  Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, beer, and Worcestershire and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and cook 30 minutes.  Add beans and cook 10 more minutes, uncovered.  Season to taste with additional salt.