Almost Fall and Easy Weeknight Chili

The official start of fall is only three days away, and you don't need a calendar to tell you that, either. The signs are everywhere now.  Leaves are starting to change color, the air is crisp, chrysanthemums of every hue are blooming, and pumpkins are popping up all over the place!  

Every change of season brings with it new inspiration for my home cooking.  One of my favorite meals to prepare when the weather gets chilly, is chili!  It's one of my favorite comfort foods.  I have been making variations of this chili for my family for several years now, experimenting with different ingredients and seasonings; always trying to improve it.  I made this chili last night.  Here is my recipe...

Easy Weeknight Chili (serves 4)

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, diced (approx. 1/2 cup)

1/2 green bell pepper, diced (approx. 1/2 cup)

1/2 red bell pepper, diced (approx. 1/2 cup)

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup diced tomato (fresh or canned)

2 cups strained tomatoes

3/4 cup water

3 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 can red kidney beans, drained (approx. 2 cups)

*you can use your favorite beans (black, pinto, kidney, or an assortment)

Optional: cilantro, sour cream, and grated cheddar cheese for garnish

Directions

In a large skillet, over medium high heat, cook the ground beef until it is browned. 

Drain the fat and set it aside.

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat and saute onion, bell peppers and garlic until onion is translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.  Stir in diced tomatoes.

Stir in the browned ground beef, strained tomatoes, water, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Cook over medium high heat until the sauce begins to boil.  Bring the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes; with the lid on; stirring every so often.  

Stir the beans into the sauce.  Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. 

Garnish each bowl with chopped cilantro, a dollop of sour cream and grated cheddar cheese.

Mmm!  It was delicious and really hit the spot!

I will leave you with a photo I took this morning, out in my backyard, before dawn.  It is of the dazzling full harvest moon.  Isn't it magical?  

As always, I love to hear from you and appreciate all of your comments!

Happy Thursday and almost-fall!

The Full Worm Moon, the Return of the Robins and Spring!

Every month, I look forward to seeing the full moon.  I love how each full moon has its own special name and significance.  The early Native Americans are the ones who gave the moons their unique names.

Below is a list of the full moon names, according to the Farmers' Almanac.  You can learn more about them on the Farmers' Almanac website.

January Wolf Moon

February Snow Moon

March Worm Moon

April Pink Moon

May Flower Moon

June Strawberry Moon

July Buck Moon or Thunder Moon

August Sturgeon Moon or Red Moon

September Corn Moon or Harvest Moon

October Hunters Moon

November Beaver Moon

December Long Night's Moon or Cold Moon

The last full moon occurred on March 27, 2013.  I was lucky enough to see it that day; in the early morning hours, when it was still dark out. It was so bright and beautiful.  I remember calling Nuno to come see it outside our living room window before he went off to work.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of it that morning and later in the evening, when I went looking for it again, it was hidden behind the clouds.

I don't always see the full moon, of course. It all depends on how clear the sky is that day.

But, I do have a photo of last January's wolf moon...

I remember it being very cold and it was snowing that evening.

And this is a photo of last December's Long Nights Moon

I took this photo at Niagara-on-the-Lake, on the eve of my birthday! 

As I mentioned before, I don't have a picture of last month's full worm moon to show you, but I can tell you how the name came about, according to the old Native Americans.  In March, the temperature warms up and the snow begins to melt. In turn, the ground softens up and the worms start to appear.  And you know what that means, right?  The robins come back to pronounce it's spring!  

 On Wednesday, my first spring robin appeared! I found him in our crabapple tree! 

He came to announce the arrival of spring.  It's not official until the robins return.  And they're here!

I found another one hopping around in our yard this morning...

This sweet pair of house finches were out there this morning, too.

And look who's back!  It's Chippy!

I'm not sure if it's the same one from last summer.  Do you remember him?  We had him eating peanuts from our hand, which reminds me, I have to go out and buy some more peanuts!

As you can see, the full worm moon was fittingly named.  It has brought forth the return of the worms and robins!  Spring is definitely in the air, although, we still have some stubborn, crusty snow on the ground.  It is quite cold and the wind is still raging and frigid.  But I dream of warmer days, the blossoming of our trees and flowers, and the delicious scent of blooming lilacs.  

Wishing you all sunshine, robins, and a happy spring!   

Enchanting & Glorious Spring!

I consider myself to be a happy and optimistic person.  Much of what makes me "happy" comes from my love and admiration for nature and the changing seasons.  I have a deep appreciation for birds, flowers, trees, sun, sky, and nature overall.  I don't let my surroundings, their constance and ever-after, allow me to take them for granted.

Here are some photos I've captured so far this Spring.  They all make me smile...



The robin enjoying a cool bath

Rub-a-dub-dub...



The American Goldfinches eating at the feeder

The goldfinch with a sunflower seed in his beak

A black-capped chickadee sharing the feeder with goldfinches

A black-capped chickadee cracking a seed open on our lilac tree

The following photos were all taken this morning...

The beautiful tulips blooming in my backyard

Our crabapple tree bursting with blossoms, preparing to bloom

Our purple leaf sand cherry tree blooming as I type this

One of our peony bushes, growing tall and beautiful. 

I can't wait for the flowers to bloom; I love filling teapots with them! 

I can almost smell their heavenly scent...ahhh!

Our lilac tree; soon to bloom and release its sweet scent!

The blue sky and warm sunshine peeking through the pergola

and lilac tree on the side of our deck.

Last night's full moon - the flower moon!  It was so big and bright in the sky!  

Did you get to see it?  I hope so!

Wishing you all a happy new week filled with sunshine, blue skies, birdsong, pretty flowers, and all the  beauty of Spring!  xoxo

Pie Dough, Mini Pies and Hunter's Moon

On Tuesday morning, I brought the girls to school, as usual.  I was standing outside the fenced-in yard talking to one of the other moms, discussing Thanksgiving weekend...things like, "Where did you spend Thanksgiving? Who cooked the meal?  What did you eat?".  When I mentioned that I baked a pumpkin pie for dessert, she said, "Oh, wow, I haven't had a pumpkin pie fix in such a long time!" (I hope I'm quoting her correctly).  She went on to tell me she's the only one in her home who likes pumpkin pie, so she never buys a whole pie, or she would have to eat it all herself!  We eventually said goodbye and wished each other a good day.  As I walked home, I kept thinking I couldn't allow this poor soul to be deprived of pumpkin pie!  Everything in me was telling me to bake a pumpkin pie for this woman.  Was I crazy?  I didn't even know her name!  Then it hit me! 

I remembered I had bought a set of mini pie tins at a garage sale this past summer. I still hadn't used them, so I figured I could make mini pies.  The tins would have come in handy the other day, when I baked the pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.  I wanted to bake two pies, one for us, and one for my brother-in-law, who loves pumpkin pie.  Unfortunately, after I had rolled out the dough, I noticed my only other pumpkin pie dish was missing.  I ended up baking just the one, not remembering that I had the mini pie tins tucked away in a drawer.

Anyways,  I thought I would show you how I make the pie crust, since many people are "afraid", just as I was, before I first started making it from scratch.  I find it gets easier and easier, the more you practice, like most things. 

In a bowl, whisk 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 tsp salt. Add 3/4 cup of chilled shortening (cut into 1/2 inch size cubes).  It's very important that the shortening be well chilled.  You can even chill the bowl and pastry blender in the refrigerator, to keep the dough as cool as possible.

Using a pastry blender (as seen in previous photo), cut the shortening into the flour until you're left with crumbly pieces,  the largest being the size of peas.

To the crumbly mixture, add approximately 6-8 tablespoons of ice cold water (I put cold water in a cup in the freezer before I begin).  By the time I'm ready, the water is ice cold.  Make sure to add water, 1 tablespoon at a time.  Use a fork to incorporate the flour and water, bringing the dry flour on the bottom of your bowl to the top, each time.  You'll know the dough is perfect when it holds together when pressed between your fingers.  It has to be just right, not too dry, not too wet.  I ended up using 7 tablespoons of water.

To a clean counter top, sprinkle some flour, gather and press dough to form a ball.  Divide ball in half and into two identical disks.  Wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper and refrigerate for 20 minutes.  You have enough dough to make one 9 inch double crust pie or two 9 inch single crust pies!

This is my pie crust after rolling it out on my floured counter top, using a floured rolling pin.  Make sure the dough extends 1 inch from the edge of the plate.  I cut around the excess and then tuck in the overhang to rest on the edge of the pan.

Believe me, I am no professional when it comes to baking pies.  I'm just trying to show you how simple this can really be.  I remember being scared of attempting a home-made pie crust, and I want you know it's not that difficult!  

Crimping the pie dough is new to me.  I need more practice, but I'll get there. 

Whisking the pumpkin pie filling

Filled and ready to go in the oven

In the meantime, I rolled out the other disk of dough and cut out six circles to fit into my mini pie tins.  I filled them with pumpkin filling and put them in the oven when the large pie was done.

Large pie cooling on a rack

Filling mini pies

Using the dough scraps, I cut out some tiny leaves to decorate the tops.  Don't they look cute?

I ended up keeping the large pie for ourselves to feed our pumpkin pie loving family.  Not only do I love pumpkin pie, but so do Nuno and the girls.  We've been savoring a slice of pie after every dinner. 

Full Moon

This is a photo of the Hunter's Moon on Tuesday evening.  I took this photo on my walk to our local community centre.

 This photo was taken on my way back home.  Isn't it beautiful? 

The mini pies were sent off to pumpkin pie lovers.  The mom at the school was so happy with her pumpkin pie!  I only gave it to her this morning because the kindergarten students have school every other day. She said she will enjoy it for dessert, after she eats her lunch.  I sent the last mini pie to school with my niece this morning.  She was one happy camper!  

This morning, in my neighbourhood, it is grey, rainy and blustery - a typical Fall day!  I hope you are enjoying the Fall season, no matter what the weather!  Happy Thursday!  xoxo