Chili- Vegetarian

Chili is one of those things that can be made a million different ways.  

1. Start with a bunch of cans of tomato sauce or to be healthier crushed tomatoes and pureed tomatoes.  Basically it doesn't matter what you use, whatever your preference is.  The key is in fixing the sauce up.  Taste it!  If it tastes a bit bitter, slowly add small amounts of sugar (maybe 1/2 T at a time) until it tastes better.  Also, add a bit of Italian seasoning (not the kind with salt added but one with just herbs), chili powder (which should smell like chili), chopped dried onion, and garlic powder.  Keep adding chili powder until it tastes like chili but be careful, too much and it will be HOT!  We like to get our spices on one of those bulk spice racks or at a Mennonite or Amish bulk food store- usually these are better tasting and a lot cheaper!  

2. Once you have your sauce, mix in whatever kind of beans you like, frozen mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, veggie 'meat,' and mushrooms if you would like.  

3.  Simmer until it is done.  Yummm... 

Baked Beans- 101 ideas

I love baked beans.  I usually buy off brand but when it comes to baked beans, I think Bush's are the best for flavor!  We began experimenting with baked beans when we were camping and now have a lot of ideas which we make at home and when away.  Basically you mix a large can (we use 28 oz) of baked beans with many different things in whatever combination you like:

- potatoes

- corn

- polish sausage

- A variety of beans and some veggie 'meat'- this is really tasty!  

- Sweet potatoes

- diced tomatoes (always a good add in with any of the above)

If you are really daring, you can make a mixture and pour it over cabbage, spinach, cabbage and apples, or whatever you would like.  

Black Eye Pea and Corn Soup

Black Eye Pea and Corn Soup over a baked potato

1 10.5oz can    Cream of Chicken Soup

1 Regular Can Diced Tomatoes

1 Regular Can Whole Kernel Corn

1 Regular Can Black Eye Peas

Mix together these four things.  Simmer and spice to taste (red and black pepper, onion flakes, garlic powder).  You can also add a grain to this mix if you would like or serve it over potatoes.

Curried Beans and Rice

This is so simple it doesn't even really need a recipe.  

1 Cup- assorted dry beans

1 10.5oz Can- Cream of Celery or Cream of Chicken Soup

Curry

Brown Rice

Wash beans.  Cook beans in water until soft (you can do this real fast with a pressure cooker).  When the beans are done, do not drain.  Simply add the cream of celery or cream of chicken soup and curry to taste.  You can also add some frozen vegetables for a bit more excitement.  Serve over brown rice, or white rice if you don't like the sticky-ness of brown rice.  Done!