I have a few cookbooks that look like they've seen better days. I don't particularly enjoy doing the math, but I've had this one for about 30 years.
Anyone else have cookbooks that look like this? I'm sure you do or at least know someone--Grandma maybe?
Where'd the cover go? I also have no idea why I wrote my name and address on the inside. (You won't find me there) Did I think someone might steal it? or I'd lose it? Where would I bring it to lose it?
I started off writing my faves in the front so I could find them again. That was fine and dandy until I ran out of room. Now the book just opens to my favourite recipes. Weird.
This is the Winnipegosis 30th Anniversary Cookbook 1990. I puchased it for $10 from my sister who lived there at the time with her family. It was a fundraiser for the Village of Winnipegosis, Manitoba.
It has been one of my dearly loved cookbooks!
My first chili recipe was thee best! It has definitely evolved over the years. And I still whip it up to this day.
Oh my goodness...my notes! Haha!
My dear chili recipe has been doubled, tripled and quadupled and travelled to countless potlucks ranging from family and friend get-togethers to Scouting events. It has been paired with bakery dinner rolls, homemade buns as well as buttermilk biscuits. It has been put on hot dogs, french fries and covered in different varieties of cheese.
This chili recipe has been, and can be, modified to suit many personal tastes.
If you want it spicy, add hot more sauce or chili peppers. If you want it without meat, smash a can or two of beans in place of beef. Or use ground turkey or pork and mix it with prepared mac and cheese.
Do whatever you want with it! In my experience, there has been nothing that can ruin this chili recipe. (Unless you don't put any spices in. Then I can't help you.)
When I first made this recipe, I wasn't wearing reading glasses and I didn't have any children. I was driving a 1980 Chevrolet Chevette and I was 21 years old. I was married, working full-time at a hardware store, and owned a little old bungalow in southern Manitoba. My dog's name was Bugs and she was a standard-sized dachshund.
In hindsight, perhaps I was prepping for the Mennonite wife life? (Shudder)
There are many great chili recipes out there and I've tried a few but I always go back to using this one. (I have found another one that's pretty good. It uses a can of beer. It makes a batch big enough to feed a Mennonite family of 20. But, you know, Mennonites don't drink.)
Without further ado, I present to you....
Chili
1 lb of ground beef, pork, or turkey
Onion, chopped, optional
1 can beans, kidney, black or pork and beans
2 tablespoons sugar
1 large can tomatoes, diced or crushed
1 tablespoon chili powder, heaping
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic, minced or powder
1-2 tablespoons mustard, yellow and/or dijon
1-2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, or to taste
Hot sauce, optional
1/4 cup chili sauce or to taste
Add chopped mushrooms or peppers if you like
Directions: Brown meat with onion. Drain. Add rest of ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.
You can alter this recipe in so many ways. Add more spices and sauces you enjoy. Perhaps throw in shredded carrots or frozen peas. Leftovers freeze well for several months.
Wait until I show you my Mennonite Cookbooks. Oba!
