Crazy name  I know… but I can explain.  Once you see a few of the ingredients you will catch on to the Italian part… oregano being the dead giveaway.  And for the stampede portion, I went with the stampede seasoning I have used in past on ribs.  The flavor is great, a little heat but a lot of punch.

I find chili is something that you can put together relatively easy and flavor it to your liking.  A dish this simple can really cap off the work day with an “Ahhh” moment.   Relax, enjoy your food and make it the way you like it.  As you read through the ingredients below, take it as a guide as you can throw whatever you have in the fridge or whatever flavors you feel.

Ingredients

• 1Lb. Lean ground beef
• 1/2 Cup green lentils, cooked
• 1 Can of Diced Tomatoes  28 oz
• 1 Can of Red Kidney Beans 14 oz, rinsed and drained
• 1 Can of White Kidney Beans 14 oz, rinsed and drained
• 1 Cup white onion, diced
• 2 Cups Mushrooms
• 1 Carrot, diced
• 1 Cup corn, frozen
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. Oregano
• 1 Tbsp. Coriander
• 1 Tbsp. Stampede spice
• Salt and Pepper

Method

1. Using a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and onion.  Begin to saute and sweat the onion for about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add in the mushrooms and half the stampede spice and coriander.
3. Once the mushroom and onions cook down for about 4 minutes, add the ground beef and let cook until no longer pink.  Add the remaining coriander and stampede spice.
4. Stir in the lentils.  Season with salt and pepper and cook down for 3 minutes.  This will allow the lentils to flavor prior too the liquid.
5. Toss in the diced carrot, can tomatoes and stir together.
6. Add both beans and bring to a simmer.  Cook for about 20 minutes on low heat.
7. Stirring occasionally, than before serving add the frozen corn and let cook for 3 minutes.
8. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste.
9. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip:  Adding the lentils, adds just another dimension of flavor and texture and a great way to fill you up.  Give it a try the next time you fire up the chili pot.

What is your secret chili ingredient?

Lots to do today and I am sure you do as well.  I will let you get to it.  I will talk to you on Friday with a dish to take you into the weekend.  Have a super Wednesday.

Take care

zesty

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Holy Friday!  This week flew by for sure which is surprising after vacation - normally I find the first week drags.  Not the case at all for me which is nice.  I got a good amount of work done this week as well which makes me feel good.  I got a pretty decent response from people interested in the “Help the Student Event” I will be running next month.  I cannot wait!  I have so many fun ideas on how to be frugal yet creative in the kitchen.

Guess what is in store for today…. well you already know if you read the title but I thought I would ask the question anyhow.  I know, lame isn’t it?  Oh well that’s me.  Alright, so let’s begin.  Mexican Beef and Bean wrap.  Sound exciting?  Yeah I thought so.

This is super easy and tasty.  I like the cumin in the beef… I find it smells like sweat but I love the flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans
• 1/2 Cup salsa
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1/2 Tsp. chili powder
• 1 Tsp Cumin
• Sliced Bell peppers
• 6 (8- to 10-inch) flour tortillas
• 1 Cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 Cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
• Cherry tomatoes, quartered (optional)

Method

1. Mix beans, salsa and chili powder in 1-quart saucepan.
2. Heat over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until warm.
3. In another sauce pan, brown the beef with the cumin until cooked through, toss in peppers and let cook for 3 minutes. Add the bean and salsa mixture to the pan and mix thoroughly.
4. Spoon about 1/4 cup bean mixture onto center of each tortilla; spread slightly.
5. Top with lettuce, cheese and tomatoes.
6. Fold over sides of tortillas.
7. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: Let’s avoid drying out the meat.  I always use lean ground beef so you have to be careful not to over cook it but at the same time cook it through.  Once it turns from pink to brown you are good to go.  Add the moisture from the beans and peppers and you will be set.

I am off to the dentist today… oh how I love that visit.  Do you find your teeth feel weird after the cleaning… almost loose? But I love rubbing my tongue over them when they are clean.  Do you get your teeth cleaned bi annually or annually.  I am every 6 months.  Enough about the dentist – Have a super Friday and send me a note if you want to participate in Help the Student event!!

Take care

zesty

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Happy Monday! Did anyone watch the super bowl? What did you think of it? I thought it was a pretty good game as far as entertainment went. I didn’t really have a favorite team playing so I was somewhat non biased as to who I was hoping to win. The only thing I was really hoping for is the “FOOD“.

Let’s just say that Zesty In-law delivers yet again.  It seems like time after time zesty in law delivers amazing food and it really doesn’t even matter if the TV is on for me.  Lats night’s line up was no different.  You can sum this up as MAN FOOD night.  Boy was it good.  Around 11:00 pm when I left to come home I could barely waddle my way out to the car.

Menu

• Pulled Pork Sliders on homemade rolls
• Fresh baked beans
• Pork Side Ribs from the Grill
• Beef Ribs with Brandy, Molasses and Coffee ( Check out the size of these things )

I was so excited to see what was on the menu and I knew I would not be disappointed.  The flavors of the food was amazing.  You cannot beat the grill no matter if it is snowing out or not.  I was really impressed with the pulled pork…. delicious and I am pretty sure I could have had 10 little sandwiches.  I stopped at 3 just so I would not look like a total PIG.

I have a couple of big announcements to make this week so stay tuned as one of them may be related to Valentine’s day.  Have a great Monday and be safe.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty