Ayyiiieee!!! It's National Chili Week!

Let the chili fiesta begin!

So, it seems that the powers-that-be have designated the first week of October to be National Chili Week. This makes sense; I mean, for most of the country, this is when temperatures begin to drop, the leaves are falling, it's "chilly" outside....if you'll pardon the pun. Oddly enough, National Chili Day is in February and National Chili Dog Day is in July. And if that's not weird enough, this week is also "No-Salt Week". Yeah, right; the day I make salt-free chili is the day after the planet runs out of salt. I don't know who sets these holidays, but these do NOT go together.

Just for the record, chili aficionados often refer to chili as a meat-based stew made without beans. The 1893 Colombian Exposition in Chicago brought the dish to national attention. The belief is that originally beans were probably used in lieu of meat by those who could not afford meat. While many would agree with me that chili with meat and beans is muy delicioso, the Chili Appreciation Society decreed in 1999 that cooks are forbidden to include beans in the preparation of chili for official competition. Before you panic, keep in mind that these are the same people who also forbade the discharge of firearms during the preparation of same. Go figure....

Anyway, in honor of this wonderful week, I am reposting my favorite chili recipe. Before you begin, you should know that it includes one of my all-time favorite ingredients, the chili roll. It is still unavailable here in Florida, but the bright spot of moving back home is that I will no longer be dependent on family and friends to keep me supplied. For a brief and terrible time, it was unavailable due to a fire in the processing plant. However, after several agonizing months, the chili roll has returned for public consumption. So, let the chili cooking begin!

SLOW COOKER CHILI
1 lb ground beef 1 Field chili roll
1 onion, chopped 1 can chili beans
1/4 c. green pepper, chopped 1 can light red kidney beans
1 clove garlic, minced 1 can diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp cumin 1 can diced tomatoes w/ green chiles
1/4 tsp chili powder 1/2 c. Coca-Cola
1/4 tsp kosher salt 1 c beef broth
1/4 tsp black pepper

Brown beef with onion, green pepper, garlic, and seasonings.

Drain. Add to slow cooker with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

REMEMBER: Whenever possible, use the Coca-Cola bottled in Mexico in those little glass bottles. It still has sugar like the Good Lord intended. Yes, my friends, there is a difference in the taste.

music to cook by

Little Texas - God Blessed Texas

Until next time, Happy Cooking! : )

"Wish I had time for just one more bowl of chili." - Alleged dying words of Kit Carson (1809-1868)

Celebrate with Janice by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

One fortunate winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire
Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson
Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Queen of the Waves and Where the Trail Ends and join Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

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Women Redeemed 2.0 Webcast and iPad Giveaway

Join authors Kim Ketola, Teske Drake and Dawn Scott Jones for an evening of encouraging chat about healing and hope for women on the evening of October 10th. The authors will join together for a Live Webcast Event to share their stories.

BUT … wait there’s more! Between 10/1 and 10/10 enter to win a brand-new iPad from Women Redeemed!

One fortunate winner will receive:

iPad with Wi-Fi
Cradle My Heart by Kim Ketola, Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow by Teske Drake and When a Woman You Loved Was Abused by Dawn Scott Jones

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/10/12. Just click one of the icons below. The winner will be announced that evening at the Women Redeemed Webcast! In coordination with the launch of their fall releases, Kregel will be hosting a live webcast event on October 10th at 8 PM EDT featuring authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused). The webcast will allow women to come together to share their struggles and fears in order to move toward healing and hope. Women will able to support one another and discuss shared experiences in a non-threatening, open and loving environment.