Meaty Black Bean Chili

Meaty Black Bean Chili
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    9 cups 30 minutes
    Cook Time
    60 minutes
    Servings Prep Time
    9 cups 30 minutes
    Cook Time
    60 minutes
    Meaty Black Bean Chili
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      9 cups 30 minutes
      Cook Time
      60 minutes
      Servings Prep Time
      9 cups 30 minutes
      Cook Time
      60 minutes
      Ingredients
      Servings: cups
      Instructions
      1. Heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and pork and cook until no longer pink and starting to brown, breaking up any large pieces. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
      2. Scrape out seeds from the chipotle peppers and finely mince, use about two chili peppers with sauce to equal 2 tbsp or more depending how hot you want it. Add peppers to the pot along with beef broth, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, green pepper, onion, spices, salt, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
      3. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for about 50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and adjust consistency to your liking by adding more beef broth or simmering uncovered for a few minutes to evaporate some liquid. The chili will thicken slightly as it sits and cools.
      4. Stir in black beans and cook for 1-2 minutes to warm. Stir in cilantro just before serving and ladle into serving bowls. Garnish with cheddar cheese, green onion and additional cilantro.
      Recipe Notes

      -I found 1 cup of beef broth just about right for consistency.  Adjust to your liking.

      -This chili is even better when served the next day as the flavours have longer to meld.

      -Makes about 9 cups of chili and freezes very well.

      Corn and Bacon Quiche

      Corn and Bacon Quiche
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        6-8 servings 45 minutes
        Cook Time
        35-40 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        6-8 servings 45 minutes
        Cook Time
        35-40 minutes
        Corn and Bacon Quiche
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          6-8 servings 45 minutes
          Cook Time
          35-40 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          6-8 servings 45 minutes
          Cook Time
          35-40 minutes
          Ingredients
          Servings: servings
          Instructions
          1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
          2. Brush a 9.5" deep dish (1 1/2"-2" high) pie plate with a tbsp of melted butter.
          3. Pat potatoes dry with a paper towel if needed. Toss potatoes with remaining 2 tbsp of melted butter and 1/2 tsp kosher salt.
          4. Press potatoes evenly into the pie plate and up the sides to form a crust. Using the back of a flat measuring cup helps to press it down.
          5. Bake potato crust for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
          6. Meanwhile, chop bacon into 1/2" pieces and saute in a medium skillet until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate reserving 1 tbsp of bacon fat in the pan.
          7. To the same skillet add diced onion and red pepper and saute until starting to soften about 3-5 minutes.
          8. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs and sour cream until combined. Whisk in cream, basil, remaining 3/4 tsp salt, white pepper and chili flakes.
          9. Sprinkle the bacon, onion and red pepper evenly over the cooked potato crust. Top with an even layer of corn and cheese.
          10. Pour egg mixture evenly over everything. Shake gently to allow ingredients to settle.
          11. Bake on the middle rack for 35-40 minutes. The center should jiggle just a little while the outer edges are firmer to the touch.
          12. Allow the quiche to rest for 10 minutes prior to slicing. Slice into 6-8 wedges and serve immediately.
          Recipe Notes

          -I used white pepper to avoid having black flecks in the quiche, however black pepper is just as good.

          -Be sure to use a deep-dish pie plate as the filling will not fit in a standard pie plate. It needs to comfortably hold 32 ounces of liquid.

          Roasted Vegetable Soup

          Roasted Vegetable Soup
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            8 cups 30 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            80 minutes 15 minutes
            Servings Prep Time
            8 cups 30 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            80 minutes 15 minutes
            Roasted Vegetable Soup
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              8 cups 30 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              80 minutes 15 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              8 cups 30 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              80 minutes 15 minutes
              Ingredients
              Servings: cups
              Instructions
              1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
              2. Toss parsnips, carrots, apple and garlic with 1 tbsp oil. Spread out on a large baking tray in a single layer. Roast for 40 minutes flipping once after 20 minutes.
              3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp of oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and saute until starting to soften, about 5-7 minutes (don't brown).
              4. To the pot add the roasted vegetables, chicken broth, beans, curry paste, and salt. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low for 30-40 minutes until everything is good and soft.
              5. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly 10-15 minutes. Puree mixture in a blender until smooth and silky. Return to pot and warm on low if needed. Stir in cream and white pepper. Adjust consistency to your liking with additional broth and season to taste with salt.
              Recipe Notes

              -letting the soup cool slightly before blending is not necessary, however, I find it a little safer than blending the scalding hot soup.

              -the amount of salt needed will be dependent on the saltiness of your broth.

              -makes about 8 cups of soup depending on your desired consistency.

              Tomato Bisque

              Tomato Bisque with crutons served in a shallow blue bowl resting on a wooden board draped with a striped napkin.
              Tomato Bisque
              Print Recipe
                Servings Prep Time
                4-6 people 20 minutes
                Cook Time
                30-50 minutes
                Servings Prep Time
                4-6 people 20 minutes
                Cook Time
                30-50 minutes
                Tomato Bisque with crutons served in a shallow blue bowl resting on a wooden board draped with a striped napkin.
                Tomato Bisque
                Print Recipe
                  Servings Prep Time
                  4-6 people 20 minutes
                  Cook Time
                  30-50 minutes
                  Servings Prep Time
                  4-6 people 20 minutes
                  Cook Time
                  30-50 minutes
                  Ingredients
                  Servings: people
                  Instructions
                  1. Melt butter in a large heavy pot, add onions, celery and garlic and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes until the vegetables become translucent.
                  2. Add the tomatoes, stock, paprika, sugar and rice and cook until the rice is very soft, at least 30 minutes.
                  3. Blend with a handheld immersion blender until smooth. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.
                  Recipe Notes

                  I used homemade chicken stock and used 1 1/2 tsp of salt. The amount of salt will depend on the stock/broth used, so season to taste.