Winter Recipes: Homemade Chili & Bread
The Bread
I am certainly a dipper. To me, there is nothing better than literally tearing bread with your family, enjoying a meal, and hearty conversation. This is the easiest recipe and we have loved having it in the refrigerator at the ready! Whether alone or used to dip in your favorite soup or chili, it is one of the easiest and most versatile recipes I’ve come across. I have it photocopied in my three-ring binder but here is the original article.
Begin with 3 cups of warm water
Add 1 1/2 Tbls. of coarse salt and yeast (1 1/2 packets)
Once the yeast activates (gets a little foamy) add 6 1/2 cups unsifted flour
Mix to just blend, don’t knead
Cover loosely, let rise 2-5 hours at room temperature
You’re ready to bake, but I would always plan ahead because the wonderful thing about this dough is it can stay refrigerated for a week. The flavor is just only going to get better at the end of its shelf life. We have added much to this bread, from a variety of flours to herbs, oils, cheeses, and even chocolate chips!
Baking day
We loved this recipe because you can pull off what you need and leave the rest in the refrigerator. Shape your piece, then let it rise for 40 minutes—sometimes the kids were impatient and it only got 25 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 30 minutes.
The first slow cooker recipe became a staple when my oldest and pickiest eater returned from a week-long trip from Cow Island as a middle schooler and she said she had the most amazing meal, Chili! This has been the foundation for our chili and it also is photocopied and in my three-ring binder.
My alterations are only 3lbs of meat; I do 1 lb. of beef, pork, and turkey together. I also add a can of kernel corn, 1-2 cans of diced tomatoes, and if I planned ahead I add sprouted beans instead of using canned ones.
Instructions
Brown meats and place in crockpot
Add all other ingredients and stir
Cover, High for 4 hours, low 4 hours
Enjoy with any toppings you love
Ingredients
5 lbs. ground beef
1 lg. onion
1 pod of garlic
2 c. water
1 tsp. celery salt
1/2 tbsp. cumin1 can tomato soup
1 (6 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 tsp. turmeric
4 tbsp. vinegar
3 tbsp. sugar
1 c. Picante sauce
1 tsp. seasoning salt
1 pkg. chili mix (Williams)
2 cans beans (optional)
2 tbsp. oregano
1 whole bottle chili powder (2 oz. or 4 oz.)