As I mentioned last post, I have visitors coming this weekend. Second weekend in a row with visitors, how nice! I enjoy the company but I also have to make sure to do some planning to ensure everyone will have food since usually I only serve two people. It is times like these that I go to the crockpot.
Slow cookers – or crockpots – are wonderful tools to help you cook while doing numerous other activities. Prep the food the night before, mix into the crockpot in the morning, go about the rest of your day, and come home to a perfectly cooked meal. It is an amazing feeling, the only thing better is to have someone else cook for you!
So for my guests this weekend I am making hearty chili with bacon.
Now when I think chili, I think ground beef, onion and green peppers, lots of beans, and spicy tomato sauce. Nothing too fancy. But trust me when I say, add a little bacon and it will go a long way!
I started adding bacon to my chili after I went to cook chili one day but didn’t have enough ground beef. So I subbed in some cooked bacon. My husband and I loved it! Now it is a must have every time we make chili, which is quite often since my husband likes both bacon and the chili so much.
Anyways, without further ado, let’s tell you how to make your own hearty chili with bacon. All you need is:
1lb Ground Beef, cooked
6-8 Strips Bacon, cooked
1 Onion, medium, roughly chopped
½ Green Pepper, roughly chopped
1 Can Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 ½ Cans Plain Tomato Sauce
½ Cup Water
1 tbsp Paprika
½ tbsp Black Pepper, ground
½ tbsp Spice of Choice (I use oregano)
2-3 Cloves of Garlic (optional)
Combine all meats and vegetables in a lightly oiled crockpot and stir to combine. Add sauce, water and spices. Stir until thoroughly combined. Set on low for 6-8 hours. Stir before serving.
And that is all there really is to it. If you do the prep the night before, this recipe becomes a matter of dumping stuff in a pot, super convenient.
Of course, since this is a meal I am serving to guests I try to make some dessert food as well. This time around I made chocolate brownies with walnuts from Living the Lovely. You can find the recipe for them here.
Anyways, that was my day. Making chili and brownies all for my guests.
Do you do anything special before guests arrive? Tell me in the comments!
