Chili Mash Up Recipe

After trying and only "liking" several chili recipes (Dang you pinterest and all your delectable choices!) I have played (And REplayed) with them several times and eventually fell in love.  So without further ado, here is the resulting recipe!

Cool's Chili Mash Up

1lb Pork Sausage
2lb Ground Beef 
1 medium onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
½ teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce

3 Tablespoons chili powder 

2 Tablespoons instant beef bouillon (or 6 cubes)

2 Tablespoons cumin, ground

1 Tablespoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons paprika (Smoked if possible)

1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa 

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 (15- to 16-ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15- to 16-ounce) can tomato sauce

1. Brown ground beef and sausage with chopped onion and minced garlic until meat is brown and onion is translucent; drain fat if needed.
2. Add all spices, hot sauce, and liquid smoke (If used) and mix thoroughly.
3. Drain and rinse kidney beans well.  Add the beans, tomato sauce, and stewed tomatoes to the slow cooker (Or a BIG pot if slow cooking on the stove top).
4. Add the meat and spice mixture to the cooking pot and stir well to combine.
5. Place a lid on the slow cooker or pot and try to keep yourself occupied while the tempting aroma wafts throughout the house.  

Firstly, yes I am aware that there are a LOT of ingredients up there ^^^^^.  However I recommend you add ALL of them if you can or it just isn't the same.  I guess what I am saying is he will still adore you but he may not "Put a ring on it".  She may think it is "good" but you may not get that extra kicker for it being "OMGoodness" amazing.  The kids will surely eat it but they may not offer to do the dishes afterwords if ONLY you promise to do it again...tomorrow. You know you want to do it!  Go BIG or go home right?!?

I like to take the lid off about an hour before I am going to serve it and give it a taste test. (If you are like me your test will involve a bowl, spoon, cheese, chopped onion, and a dollop of sour cream. What can I say, I am a perfectionist!) This is the time to add more salt, pepper, hot sauce, etc if you feel it needs a little more "oomph". If it is a tad drier/thicker than you like you could also add a little bit of water, tomato juice, or beef broth at this time. 

I am currently doing my 5th (WHY does it feel like 5 MILLIONITH?) load of wash, embroidering a shirt, mopping the floor, and trying to keep the Jaxinator from waking the sleeping monster baby BUT I will try to be back before 2013 ends to add a YUMMY corn bread recipe...emphasis on TRY!

A Perfectly Balanced....Mess!

I know this is not a new struggle for any of us that have been elected CEO of Hearth & Home, but it seems like more and more I am running myself ragged from sun up to sun down and yet nothing is done to my satisfaction.  This led me to a long mental discussion with myself (Yes, I am aware that only crazy people talk to themselves.  I am my own favorite whack-a-doodle!) and the end conclusion we I arrived at is that the answer must lie in balances.

When I focus on my sewing I get orders done and shipped and clients are happy....but my home is a horrible mess and my heart is heavy as soon as I exit my studio.  After a day or two of this I get so fed up that I spend all day cleaning, and the next catching up laundry, and the next caring for my kids and their needs, and so on.  The end result is that I am now 5 days behind on orders and am dreaming of patterns and ripped seams in my sleep (Not to mention the sleep lost while nursing my squishy faced Stu-Bert and playing with all his little bits and pieces.  Yes, I am aware this is not "recommended" parenting, nights are for sleep, BUT he is my last and so I feel the need to rebel....sue me LOL).

Now if you have been paying attention you may have noticed that NOWHERE in here is there a mention of showers, quiet time with a book, a walk to see my family, or a cup of joe with my kick arse Mom.  Quite frankly I have decided this is BS.  I am the freaking CEO, I deserve perks...and basic needs to be met.  So with that in mind I have decided to do a week long series about balance.  Balance in family, home, work, spirit, self; Balance in all things!  I will be back soon with the first segment, right now myself and I need to sing in the shower...probably off key....and definitely Maroon 5  ;)

Taking The Dive!

Well since I have SOOOO much time and energy to spare (Insert snarky grin here) I thought I would try my hand at this infamous thing called blogging. I am sure there will be many things to learn with this, as with all new things I decide I MUST do, so I hope you will jump on in with me and be a bit patient as I get settled :)