Howdy Blog Party #22!

So, it's been a while since I participated in Blog Party, but not because I haven't wanted to. Time alas was not on my side, but this time around I was bound and determined to take part. I mean how could I not when the the theme is Wild Wild West? I do, after all, live in Fort Worth, Texas- Where The West Begins. So, thinking about what I consider to be "western" food, I came up with Cornbread Cups filled with Homemade Chili. For a complimentary beverage I went with a cold bottle of Shiner Bock- a favorite of many of the cowboys I know. Being brewed in Texas gives it a big flavor!

Homemade Chili
Recipe by me
1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded & ribbed, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
pinch red pepper flakes
pinch ground cinnamon
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 15 oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
6 oz. beer

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, jalapeno, and garlic; season with salt and pepper and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in tomato paste and seasonings. Once blended add ground beef and stir, breaking up with spoon, until no longer pink.
• Add tomatoes with juice, beans, and beer. Bring to a boil and reduce to a rapid simmer. Cook for over medium-low to medium heat until beans are tender and chili has thickened. Taste your chili during this time, and add any additional seasoning you'd like.

My notes: I added more chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, and ground pepper. For the cornbread, I have done homemade before, but nothing ever beats Jiffy boxed mix for me. So, that's what I used. Use a serrated knife to slice off the top of the muffins, then run your knife along the inside, bout 1/8" from the edge, all the way around and remove the inside. Fill the muffin cups and top with your favorite chili add-ons. I used shredded cheese and cilantro leaves. Jalapeno slices and a dollop of sour cream would also be delicious and festive.

Comfortably Rushed

So I still haven't had a shower yet this morning, but I've gotta get this entry posted to make it in under the Blog Party deadline. The theme of this month's Blog Party, hosted by Dispensing Happiness is Comfort Food. So, I thought about the foods & beverages that are comforting to me and I decided to go with grilled cheese, tomato soup, and peppermint tea. To fit in the appetizer guidelines I served my comforting sandwiches in the form of strips, and went with Tomato Soup Shooters as an accompaniment.

For the Grilled Cheese Strips I used Monterrey Jack and Extra Sharp Cheddar, with a layer of crumbled feta filling, sandwiched between two
slices of well buttered Sourdough Bread. I grilled them slowly over medium-low heat in my new-to-me cast iron skillet I got from the in-laws. They were cheesey, gooey, and very toasty. Mmmmmm.....


For the Tomato Soup I followed a recipe that I had jotted down while watching Everyday Food a week or two earlier. What follows is the halved recipe I wrote down, to avoid a ginormous amount of leftover soup.


Classic Tomato Soup
Recipe from Everyday Food; Serves ???- lots I guess, ha.

1/4 stick butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
Coarse salt & pepper
1/8 cup flour
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 can reduced sodium chicken broth
1 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes in juice

• Melt butter over medium heat. Add oil & onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook until onion is transparent, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and flour; cook, whisking, 1 minute.
• Add thyme, broth, and tomatoes, breaking up tomatoes with your fingers. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Puree 2.5 cups in blender and return to pot. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

My notes: I actually pureed all but about a cup of the soup. I like my tomato soup very creamy, so this is an act of personal preference.

For my comforting beverage, as I mentioned above, I chose peppermint tea. I love peppermint tea! It's so soothing when I'm not feeling well, or I've been out on a cold blustery day. It is definitely my go-to mug filler, especially since my stomach can only handle one cup of coffee a day. I can fill my belly with cup after cup of peppermint tea.


So, that's my contribution to the February Blog Party. I hope I did everything right, ha. These blog events are new to me so I usually go over any rules I can find a million times, to hopefully avoid making a fool out of myself and my fledgling blog. As I mentioned in th post below I'll be out of town for a few days, so when I get back I should have a post about the yummy dinner I prepared last night. Incidentally I'm hoping it will be my Waiter, There's Something In My...Pie entry.