I write this with a downcast keyboard.

I have failed my January Meal Plan. I cheated. I strayed. And I failed.

But not completely. And, looking at making lemonade out of these lemons… now I have that much more in my freezer to get us through the month of February. So, you know… there’s that.

Fresh!

In a nutshell, my Meal Plan was waylaid by a broken furnace, leftovers at Mom’s, and a funeral. With all of these happenings I had little need to keep up with my Meal Plan.

Twice more I found myself at a local drive-thru, but I made better choices than I used to. For instance, instead of a full meal, I ordered the cheaper cheeseburger and instead of a soda I took an iced tea or smoothie. I needed something warm to offset the chill in the air.

I did make my Slow Cooker Turkey Chili on the 16th and that’s held us for a few days. There’s even some left, still, for February’s freezer selection.

Bowl of Chili

In the midst of a colder house and little motivation, we opted for the ease of one of our “extra” meals. My favorite stand-by, La Choy Chow Mein.

January Extras

And a few days later on the 22nd, I brought home a treat: a DiGiorno’s self-rising frozen pizza. Hey. It was the last episode of my beloved FLASHPOINT. I needed something special for the occasion. I also came home that evening to a very sick Dot.

What with the cold house (again) and the inclement weather and the back-and-forth of staying intermittently at Mom’s house… my poor Dot ended up with a virus. The good news is that while she was down for the count, it was a short count. 24 hours later she was ready for the world again.

A new furnace has been ordered, which conversely adds to my stress level because… well, did you know furnace units are expensive? Like I wasn’t having enough problems with the budget… At least I’ll be warm in my worries. But because in SoCal, furnace units either go on the roof or on the side of the house it can’t be installed until the current round of winter rains stop. Which should be in another 2 or 3 days.

In the meantime, have I mentioned how I love living so close to my Mom? Yup. We’ve invaded her home, her kitchen, her life.

She has the most amazing tea shelf. Today’s all about the chamomile.

Cozy Chamomile

So if you’ll excuse me now… I have some popcorn to eat and a movie to watch. Oh, and some new recipes to write.

Possible 2nd Edition Additions

Happy Eating!

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Help me to reach my funding goal before February 1st!
Just click on the photo below and click “BACK THIS PROJECT” to pre-order YOUR copy of The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition!

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

I love chili. I especially love chili when I can just put it in the Slow Cooker and come home to a wonderfully aromatic kitchen. Sometimes, I prefer overnight cooking. Talk about your sweet dreams! Let’s face it, a Cooking Girl’s favorite perfume is onion, right?

My Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is an extremely easy, inexpensive combination of meat, canned goods and a chopped onion. It’s also one of my favorite recipes, and the reason I included it in The Unemployment Cookbook.

For less than $10, this fills my 4-quart Slow Cooker and offers up bowlful after bowlful of hearty, hot, and healthy eating.

Bowlful of Goodness

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 lbs. ground turkey
• 1 can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 can white or Great Northern beans, drained
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 can kidney or chili beans, with liquid
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1 can crushed or diced tomatoes, with puree
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• Seasonings (1/2 TBS chili powder, 2 tsp oregano, 1 tsp paprika, salt and pepper to taste)

DIRECTIONS:

• Put 2 lbs of ground turkey in the bottom of the Slow Cooker. Break apart.
• Separately, mix together the canned goods and chopped onion.
• Separately, mix together the seasonings.
• Add 1/2 seasonings mix to the canned goods mixture.
• Top ground beef with canned goods mixture.
• Top with remaining seasonings.
• Cook on low for 6 – 8 hours, or on high for 3 hours.

The best part is that you can change this recipe anyway your taste buds want. For a meatier dish, change the kidney beans to a can of chili with beans and meat. Or add diced tomatoes seasoned with garlic and onion. Through in a packet of taco seasoning mix. Omit the corn or replace with a can of mixed veggies.

However you like your chili, let the Slow Cooker do the cooking for you. You’ll have more time with your family, your favorite book, or just your favorite chair.

As always… Happy Eating!

Bowl of Chili

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Help me to reach my funding goal before February 1st!
Just click on the photo below and click “BACK THIS PROJECT” to pre-order YOUR copy of The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition!