When in Doubt, Make Some Chili

The cooks and photographer have had quite the adventure lately. We don't often get sentimental here at NGCCOT, but I am happy to report that all is well and we will be cooking as a group very soon. (Maybe this is God's way of telling Dom he needs a bigger kitchen.)

As we went our separate ways to wait out the storm, I needed a dish that could feed several people for at least three or four meals. The answer? Chili.

Ike Chili

Beans:Red Kidney Beans - 2 cans
Black Beans - 2 cans
Ranch Style Beans - 2 cans
Ro*tel Diced Tomatoes - 2 cans
Diced Tomatoes, Plain - 1 big can
2 cups broth
Meat (hamburger, turkey, venison, whatever) - 1 lb
Cayenne Pepper, pepper, salt - to taste

Put all of the beans and diced tomatoes in a pot.
Cook the meat
Put the meat in the pot
Let it simmer for a while
Test it to make sure you have the amount of seasoning that you want


I know that there is a big debate in the chili world of beans vs. no beans. Well, this chili has beans, so deal with it. It was pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Unholy or Delicious? You Decide.

While listening to an episode of Prairie Home Companion, I was shocked to learn that the Minnesota State Fair serves strange, unhealthy food. Of course, I had to have some. Along with Lingonberry ice cream and any kind of meat on a stick, you can purchase chocolate covered bacon. That's right. Bacon covered in chocolate. I consulted some reliable Minnesotans (is there any other kind?) and, yes, it is true. I think you know what happened next.





Some tricks that I learned.

1) Russian beer, preferably Baltika, helps. Seven or higher is recommended.



2) Also recommended - learning how to pour a pitcher. (Geez, Regan, it's like you never went to college or something.)



3) Cook the bacon until crispy

4) It's actually a little difficult to get the chocolate onto the bacon without a vat of chocolate for a true "dip".

5) It's really not that bad.

If you would like some bacon related items, please go here.

For a little Southern flavor, we also fried some pickle slices. Dom made the batter with flour, a few eggs, too much red pepper, salt and Baltika 7.




Because of my taunts regarding his baking skills, Dom decided to shame me by making a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. The recipe is a basic Betty Crocker creation. At first, it looks a little bit like Strawberry Celery Pie:




In the end, though, it came out very well. Good job, Dom!



Now I'm off to unclog my arteries.