Slow Cooker Tuesday ~ Week 7 {Crock Pot Chili}

It is still winter out there, which means it's still time for comfort food in the slow cooker!

I love my crock pot for days when I am out and about. It is reassuring to come home to a hot meal that's almost ready to serve. 

But I also love my crock pot on a chilly winter day when I am going to be right here at home. 

Yesterday, was one of those days. I had cooked my ground beef and onion over the weekend, so just before lunchtime, I assembled all of the ingredients in my slow cooker. After lunch, we spent a chunk of time on a school project, then some household chores. As the hours went on, the kitchen began to smell better and better, and as soon as Ron arrived home after work, we were ready to dig in!

This recipe nearly filled my crock pot to the top. It would likely serve 8-10 people. Last night, we ate it over baked potatoes topped with shredded cheese and/or sour cream. But there was plenty left over to make into another meal later this week. 

Ingredients: 2 lbs. ground beef 1 large onion, chopped 2 large (28-oz.) cans petite diced tomatoes 2 8-oz. cans tomato sauce 1 1-lb. can dark red kidney beans 1 1-lb. can light red kidney beans   1 tablespoon chili powder *(see my ramble about spiciness below) 2 teaspoons salt 1 bay leaf   Directions: In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until meat is lightly browned and onions are tender. Place in large slow cooker. Add tomatoes, sauce, beans, chili powder, salt, and bay leaf.  Cover. Cook on High 4-5 hours. Remove bay leaf. Serve with choice of toppings.

* I consider this a mild chili, but then I eat it with a liberal sprinkling of cayenne pepper, so you may not trust my opinion. Ron can eat it without complaining. 

In days gone by, he could not tolerate any spice. At all. He could be eating something that the rest of us thought was quite mild, and he'd grab for his water saying, "I feel like my mouth is on fire!" Once, my mom (who loves things hot) gave him a pickle with his sandwich, forgetting that she had bought Tabasco-flavored pickles. He thought he was going to perish. (He still gives pickles a distrustful look.) Over time, though, either his tastes have changed or his tongue has grown numb, because he can now enjoy food with a (mild) kick.

Ron says that there are two things that people say that he does not trust. 

1. "That movie is good."
2. "It's not that spicy."

I said all that to say this: Adjust the spice to your own taste!

How do you feel about spicy food? And do you trust the evaluations of others? :)

Looking for a recipe from another week?

Week 1: Cranberry Pork Roast

Week 2: Mexican Chicken

Week 3: Beef Ragu

Week 4: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Week 5: Cashew Chicken

Week 6: Chocolate Fondue