Comfort Food

Today was an extra rainy day. The rain started at 10 pm last night and did not stop until about 5 pm today. There are even some parts of the road that were a few inches deep in water, which is normal around here. Makes driving slow, but I’d rather drive slow in a torrential downpour anyway.

So, what to make for dinner on a very gray, rainy day like this? Chili and Apple Crispe, of course! These are not my recipes, but I have made them so often that I now just throw things into the crock pot or mixing bowl nilly willy, based on taste and preference. For the Crispe in particular, I only made a small batch, using 3 apples which I mixed with 2 T. flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and approx. 4 or 5 T. ground cinnamon (because the recipe doesn’t call for nearly enough). For the topping I poured out about 1 c. quick oats, added 1 T. flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 stick of melted butter. After I mixed it all and topped the apples with it, I sliced up another 1/4 stick of butter and placed them on top. Bake at 350 for 45 mins until the kitchen smells heavenly!

Here are the recipes. Enjoy!

Chili Con Carne

1 pound ground turkey meat, browned with 1/4 onion and 1 clove garlic                                      

In addition to the meat, put the following into the crock pot:

Remainder of onion, sliced, diced, or chopped (however you like it)

1 green bell pepper (cut however you like it, but chopped finely is not a very good idea. Larger pieces or slices are best)

2 cans (14.5 oz each) tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes with juice

2 cans kidney beans, drained

1 or 2 cloves of garlic, or as many to taste (chopped)

salt and pepper

1 bay leaf

Chili powder to taste (for me this is usually 4 or 5 T.)

Let it crock and roll for as long as possible, stirring occasionally.  If you don’t use a crock pot, this will cook up nicely in less than an hour on the stove. Just let it simmer for a bit, stirring occasionally.                                                                           

Enjoy with crackers, shredded cheese and/or sour cream!

Apple Crispe

4-5 cups sliced apples, mixed with 1/2 t. cinnamon, 3 T. sugar, and 3 T. flour. (as you might have noticed, I use very different amounts. You will have to play with the measurements to make your crispe personalized).

For the crispy topping you need to mix together: 1 c. flour, 1 c. oats, 1 c. brown sugar, and 1 c. cold butter. (I use a lot less flour in this part, and less butter, too. I find that melting 1/4 stick and mixing it into the mixture, it works just as well, and I use 1/2 the amount of butter called for.)