Pumpkin Beer Chili & Raspberry Honey Drizzled Cornbread

With all this talk and the feel of fall, I wanted to make a comfort food type of dinner.  The other night at my Healthy Cooking Meeting, a couple of the ladies brought over some crock pot chili, which inspired me to try it at home.  With the recent winter like rain storms we've been experiencing here in northern California, I thought it would be a perfect night to try a slow cooker chili.

Here's what you need, plus an onion and a pound of ground beef or turkey.  I used ground turkey this time.  We normally have a freezer full of our natural beef, but we happen to be out right now so I bought some ground turkey at Trader Joe's to substitute.

After snapping the photo and opening a few cans of beans, I decided not to include the baked beans in the photo for my recipe.  The great thing about chili is that you can fish through your pantry and grab any type of canned beans {brain food} you have on hand.  I even threw in some garbanzo beans this time.  Nothing could be simpler.

After chopping up an onion, throw it into the skillet with the ground turkey and brown.  Of course this could easily be made into a vegetarian dish by omitting the ground turkey. 

Bryce loves to eat raw onion and is always sneaking some whenever he notices me chopping one.

After you you pour all the beans, stewed tomatoes and salsa into a slow cooker, mix in the ground turkey and onion.

Mix it well so it looks like this

Sticking to the fall theme, I poured in an entire bottle of Pumpkin Ale {but any ale will do}.

Simmer for a good 4-5 hours or longer if you want.  Top with your favorite shredded cheese and or sour cream.  This was SO good!  And even better the following day for leftovers.

To go along with my chili, I was craving some sweet tasting corn bread.  I would have made it from scratch, but why do that when I had a bag of this Marie Callender's on hand?  Instead of mixing it with water, I used whole milk {more brain food} and also added a cup of Mexican shredded cheese to the batch.  The milk and cheese really give the corn bread a moist texture, so much better than just water.

Pour the batter into an 8 x 8 baking dish and bake according to directions on the bag...about 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, this comes out.

I couldn't wait to dig into this warm, sweet cornbread topped with butter and drizzled with some raspberry honey!  Oh so good!  It was almost like dessert!

I highly recommend this raw raspberry honey....delicious!  I think I found this tiny 3oz. jar at Trader Joe's, but not 100 % sure of this.  This would be great in some hot tea as well.

Chili Recipe:

1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
1 can white kidney beans, rinsed
1 large can ranch style beans or pinto beans
1 can stewed tomatoes, any flavor
1 jar Trader Joe's garlic salsa
1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion
1 bottle of pumpkin ale or your favorite beer

Combine all beans, salsa and stewed tomatoes.
Brown ground turkey with the chopped onion.  Add to the bean mixture.  Add the pumpkin ale.  Mix well.  Cook in slow cooker for 4-5 hours.  Top with your favorite topping.


If you're a chili lover, you may also enjoy these chili recipes:
Vegetarian Zesty Wheat Berry Black Bean Chili
and
Beef and Bean Chili Verde

Happy Tuesday!
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Top 10 Brain Foods for Kids - Did Dairy Make The Cut?

Ever wonder what will help your child develop a stronger brain?  Brain food.  The brain is the first of the body's organs to absorb nutrients from the food we eat, according to Bethany Thayer, MS, RD, a Detroit nutritionist and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

Here are 10 superfoods that will help get a child get the most out of school that I found very useful from the children's nutrition section of WebMD.  Not suprising for me and happy to announce, dairy and beef are included in the top 10.

1. Brain Food: Salmon

Fatty fish like salmon are an excellent source of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA -- both essential for brain growth and function, says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a Los Angeles nutritionist and ADA spokeswoman.

In fact, recent research has also shown that people who get more of these fatty acids in their diet have sharper minds and do better at mental skills tests.

How about a canned salmon salad sandwich?  Salmon burger? Or include canned salmon in your child's soup.

2. Brain Food: Eggs

Eggs are well-known as a great protein source -- but the egg yolks are also packed with choline, which helps memory development.

Bryce and Paige both love hard cooked eggs for breakfast or packed in their lunches.

3. Brain Food: Peanut Butter

"Peanuts and peanut butter are a good source of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects nervous membranes -- plus thiamin to help the brain and nervous system use glucose for energy," says Giancoli.

Try a peanut butter and banana sandwich, top a pancake with peanut butter or a scoop of it in their oatmeal.  As a dip for apple slices or mini carrots.


4. Brain Food: Whole Grains

The brain needs a constant supply of glucose -- and whole grains provide that in spades. The fiber helps regulate the release of glucose into the body, Giancoli explains. "Whole grains also have B-vitamins, which nourish a healthy nervous system."

We use whole grain pastas most of the time at home.  The kids love it and no one can tell the difference.

5. Brain Food: Oats/Oatmeal

Oats are one of the most familiar hot cereals for kids and a very nutritious “grain for the brain,” says Sarah Krieger, MPH, RD, LD/N, a St. Petersburg, Fla. consultant and ADA spokeswoman. "Oats provide excellent energy or fuel for the brain that kids need first thing in the morning."

Loaded with fiber, oats keep a child’s brain fed all morning at school. Oats also are good sources of vitamin E, B-vitamins, potassium and zinc -- which make our bodies and brains function at full capacity.



6. Brain Food: Berries

Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries. "In general, the more intense the color, the more nutrition in the berries," Krieger says. Berries boast high levels of antioxidants, especially vitamin C, which may help prevent cancer.

Studies have shown improved memory with the extracts of blueberries and strawberries. "But eat the real thing to get a more nutritious package," Krieger says. "The seeds from berries are also a good source of omega-3 fats.."

Fruit is like nature's candy.  My kids can't get enough of it!

7. Brain Food: Beans

Beans are special because they have energy from protein and complex carbs -- and fiber -- plus lots of vitamins and minerals, Krieger says. "These are an excellent brain food since they keep a child's energy and thinking level at peak all afternoon if they enjoy them with lunch."

Kidney and pinto beans contain more omega 3 fatty acids than other beans -- specifically ALA, another of the omega-3’s important for brain growth and function, says Krieger.

Bean burritos are a great way for kids to eat their beans.  And this is the only way, thus far, that I can get my kids to eat beans.

8. Brain Food: Colorful Veggies

Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, spinach -- vegetables with rich, deep color are the best sources of antioxidants that keep brain cells strong and healthy, Thayer says.

Raw veggies with ranch dip are a huge hit at my house.


9. Brain Food: Milk & Yogurt

Dairy foods are packed with protein and B-vitamins -- essential for growth of brain tissue, neurotransmitters, and enzymes. "Milk and yogurt also provide a bigger punch with both protein and carbohydrates – the preferred source of energy for the brain," Thayer says.

Recent research suggests that children and teens need 10 times more the recommended dose of vitamin D -- a vitamin that benefits the neuromuscular system and the overall life cycle of human cells.

The choices are endless with dairy; smoothies, cheese sticks, yogurt,  a tall glass of ice cold milk with a few cookies for dessert....yum!

10. Brain Food: Lean Beef

Iron is an essential mineral that helps kids stay energized and concentrate at school. Lean beef is one of the best absorbed sources of iron. In fact, just 1 ounce per day has been shown to help the body absorb iron from other sources. Beef also contains zinc, which helps with memory.

Both my kids are carnivores, eating beef is not a problem in our house.  But if it's a problem in your house, try mixing it into not so spicy chili, tacos or burritos.


Hope you find this information as useful as I did!
Happy Monday!

All photos on this page are from Google image....I was having a slow internet connection day otherwise I would have uploaded my own photos!  Country internet!

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October's Healthy Cooking Meeting

October's Healthy Cooking Meeting was hosted by Debby at her lovely home and the theme was 'Game Time Favorites'  Ahh, snack food, my favorite!  Each month from September through May, our Mother's Club Healthy Cooking Group meets once a month, at an alternating member's home to share healthy recipes, wine and chatter.  Our kickoff cocktail party was at Cathy's house last month.

Here are some of the fabulous dishes we enjoyed.....
Butternut sqaush dip topped with roasted pumpkin seeds, yum!

Fire roasted, home made salsa, perfect for any get together.

Okay, these nachos that Charlotte made were to die for...and healthy-she found the recipe in the Weight Watchers Cookbook!  Recipe below.

I think this was my favorite.  Ribbon Zucchini Crostini that Barb made.  The zucchini is marinated in lemon juice for 30 minutes, which kind of  'pickles' it before it's placed on the toasted bread and topped with shaved Parmesan.  I'm sure I could have eaten half the platter myself.  See recipe below.

Here's another favorite that Leslie whipped up.  Cauliflower Pizza Crust served with marinara for dipping.  You would never know this was made predominately of cauliflower when you taste it.  I thought it was some sort of flat bread.  Perfect for a gluten free diet.  This is another must try for me.  Recipe below.

My dish......okay, so I cheated this time.  I brought a pesto, tomato and broccoli pizza that I heated up out of the box from Trader Joe's.  What can I say....I was running late!

Who knows what next month will bring!?

Here are the recipes:

Healthy Nachos from Weight Watchers:

For the chips:

Buy 6 6-inch plain corn tortillas (not the hand-made corn ones; they have wheat in them which adds calories and fat...)
Cut them into quarters, put them on a baking sheet under the broiler. No oil or spray at all, it's not necessary. My broiler has a low setting, and it took about 4 min. Careful because they burn really quick.

For the filling:
Non-stick spray on a pan
1 clove garlic
1 small yellow onion
...cook until soft
1/2 lb ground lean turkey
2 Tbsp taco seasoning mix
...add to pan and cook until brown
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
approx 4 oz taco sauce (most brands are fat-free)
...add to pan, stir and let flavors develop about 5 min.

Spoon the turkey mixture over the chips
Sprinkle with:
1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar
1 Tbsp sliced jalapenos, chopped (which I forgot)

Broil about two minutes
Then top with diced tomatoes, cilantro and scallions
Makes approx 6 servings


Ribbon Zucchini Crostini

1 baguette

olive oil (for brushing)
juice from 2-3 lemons
1-2 zucchinis (depending on size)
shaved Parmesan

Use a peeler to make thin lengthwise "ribbons" with the zucchini. Soak ribbons in lemon juice for 30+ minutes. Slice baguette and brush with olive oil. Toast in 350 degree oven for approx. 8-10 minutes (watch closely, so as not to burn). Once toasted, fold ribbons on top of bread and top with shaved Parmesan.


Cauliflower Pizza Crust

1 cup cooked, riced {grated}cauliflower
1 egg
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp fennel
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp parsley

Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
In a medium bowl, combine cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Press evenly on the pan. Sprinkle evenly with fennel, oregano and parsley.
Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes (15-20 minutes if you double the recipe).

Use as a pizza crust; top with your favorite toppings OR cut into pieces and dip into marinara sauce.

Happy Sunday!
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Cheese Tortellini with Butternut Squash Sauce

There are some days that I just want an easy, low key dinner....aka, something easy to heat up.  If you follow me on Twitter, you then know I was at CostCo yesterday.  I was sure to find something there.

Cheese tortellini is what I came up with.....just boil!  Can't get much more low key than that, right?

I was just going to use some typical marinara sauce with the tortellini, until I stumbled upon this!  Dave's Gourmet Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce.  I had never seen it before and I thought it sounded so good for a rainy Friday night.

After reading the ingredients, I knew it would be a sure thing.  Anything with butter in the line-up is good in my book.  I just hoped the kids would go for it.

So I simmered the sauce,

boiled the tortellini,

plated it all up and shredded some fresh parmesan cheese over the top and was done.

This was super good!  I will definitely prepare this meal again.  The result, is a fresh tasting, creamy butternut squash sauce with a ton of flavor.  Sweet and savory at the same time.  I was really able to taste the red bell pepper, it added just enough spice to the mix but not too much to where my kids wouldn't like it.

Bryce, who complains about ANY pasta I make, even enjoyed it.  I think his comment was, "this is the best pasta ever!"  Paige was cranky - tired from staying out a little past her bed time from the night before when we attended the Fair Appreciation Dinner, she complained about everything at dinner, except her bread and butter.  Paige, being my pasta lover, will give this dish another try and I'm sure, love it as well.

This was the perfect autumnal meal !

Tonight's SF Giant's playoff game #6 .  We'll be staying in to watch the game.  It's rainy here in northern CA so something hearty and warm for dinner sounds good. 

What are you doing tonight?

Happy Saturday!
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Sonoma Marin Fair Appreciation Dinner

Last night we were running late to attend the Sonoma-Marin Fair Appreciation Dinner at the fairgrounds.  We had our bi-monthly vet appointment for the dairy cows scheduled, which needs to happen when milking is just about finished at the end of the day.  But that's the life of a dairyman {and family}, we never make it in time for appetizer hour and barely make in time for dinner many times.  But we made it, with food left to spare.

The Fair Appreciation Dinner is put on by the board members {one of the many Boards Dominic sits on} to thank the many volunteers that work leading up to and during the Sonoma-Marin Fair. There were around 250 people in attendance.

Here, Jeff James, President of Sonoma-Marin Fair and local winery owner - James Family Cellars, calls up and hands out a recognition award to the committee that organized Farmers Day at the fair.

CEO of Sonoma Marin Fair, Pat, thanks the crowd.
















Oh and the dinner that was served to all 250 people in attendance was yummy BBQ chicken, macaroni salad , green salad, and the beans must have been really good because they were all gone by the time we got there.

A local 4H club was gaining some community service points by helping at the event.  They cleaned up tables, served ice cream sandwiches for dessert and helped to take down decorations at the end of the event.

Bryce and Paige were eager to help as well.  Here, they were helping Daddy hand out some recognition pins.

Paige immediately befriended all the 4H girls and asked to tag along with them offering to help with anything she could.

They gave away a good amount of raffle prizes after dinner.  Both Paige and Bryce wanted to help with that as well.

While they were busy working, I was checking the score of the Giants game on my new Droid.....love this thing!  But poor Giants....they did not fare well.  Hopefully they'll work it out for Saturday's game.

We came away from the evening with a bottle of some award winning wine.

Maybe we'll drink it tonight, at home on this rainy night, in front of a roaring fire.

Happy Friday!  Cheers!
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