Ed's Chili Con Carne

The following is my version of Chili, which for some inexplicable reason, people always ask me to make. Hope you like it.

• 5 Lb. lean ground beef (can use pork, or turkey if desired)


• 1-2 Lb. stewing beef


• 1-2 Lbs. fresh mushrooms-sliced


• 2 red peppers-chopped


• 2 green peppers-chopped


• 6-8 stalks celery-sliced on the bias


• 2 large spanish onions-cut into quarters length wise then in half width wise


• 2 large cans stewed tomatoes


• 3 large cans kidney beans


• 3 large tins tomato paste


• cooking oil for frying meat


• water


• chili powder
(Optional spices: cumin, cayene pepper, chili seeds, Tobasco Sauce, Loisianna Hot Sauce)

To start, heat small amount of oil in large frying pan. Cut stewing beef into bite size pieces. Fry ground beef in increments until all is cooked. Drain excess fat from pan during frying. Fry stewing beef.

While meat is cooking, cut up the vegetables to desired size. Place all vegetables in a bowl and store in refrigerator until required.

The utensil I use for cooking the chili is a  Salton Roaster Oven . It's great because the whole insert will hold enough chili to feed an army and not over-heat the house. When you're done, just pull out the insert and wash. Can't beat the $40.00 price either.

After all meat has been fried and drained, add to cooker. Rinse beans under cold running water. Add beans, tomatoes, tomatoe paste, water, and spices to cooker and simmer on 300 for the better part of the day. Just keep an eye on it and add a little water whenever neccessary.

About 2 hours before serving, add the vegetables. If you like them crunchier, add about 1 1/2 hours before serving. Softer, 2 1/2 hours before serving.

While this recipe does make a lot of chili, it will freeze well for use on another day.

NOTE 1- I won't say how much spice you put into this recipe as each individual's tastes are different. You decide how hot or mild you like it. This recipe was created for the young to the elderly to enjoy.

NOTE 2- I mentioned water but didn't say how much. When first starting to cook, you want to keep the chili at a thick soup stage to keep from scorching. The closer to meal time, the less water you'll need as you will want a thick chili.

I'm Back

Back in January, I posted that I was giving up this blog due to the old "Brick Wall Syndrome" (Not being able to think of what to put here. [see below this one]). Then my wife reminded me that one of my passions is cooking, so why not post some recipes, tips and so on.

I'll admit that it never really crossed my mind. I do like cooking and I get a lot of repeat requests for my chili and a few other things I like to make. So why not.

Starting Monday, July 20th I will start adding recipes and such. It will take me the rest of the week to decide how I will do this and which ones I'll be starting out with.

Mind you I don't know if I'll post every day but I might. It all depends on a number of factors. Untill then, keep smiling.

Good-Bye

I've decided to close this blog. After weeks of trying to figure out what I can possibly add here that would be of interest, I came to the realization that you can only run into a brick wall so many times before something gives. So as of Monday January 12, 2009 this blog will cease to exist.

Thank you to those that came by for a chuckle. I wish you all the best for 2009.

Ed

First Known Superman Cartoon Series

I was elated when I found the following clip. Here is the description that is posted on  Like Television.

The first cartoon series based on Superman, created by Dave and Max Fleischer, who also created most of the great Popeye cartoons!

This early Superman gives you the origin of The Man of Steel, plus an adventure with a Mad Scientist!

The clip is from 1942 and while I enjoyed watching it I couldn't help notice the conflict in details. I was lead to believe that when the rocket from Krypton landed on earth, the child, Kal El, was found by George and Martha Kent and raised as their own. These clips say he was raised at an orphanage. Curiouser and curiouser.

A Business Related Death

A cardiologist had died and was given an elaborate funeral. A huge heart covered in flowers stood behind the casket during the service.

Following the eulogy, the heart opened, and the casket rolled inside.

The heart then closed, sealing the doctor in the beautiful heart forever.

At that point, one of the mourners suddenly burst into laughter. When all eyes stared at him, he said, "I'm sorry, I was just thinking of my own funeral.

I happen to be a gynecologist."

It was at that point that the proctologist fainted.

The Married Life

A man and a woman, who had never met before but who were both married to other people, found themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a trans-continental train.

Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room, they were both very tired and fell asleep quickly, he in the upper berth and she in the lower.

At 1:00 AM, the man leaned down and gently woke the woman saying, "Ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the closet to get me a second blanket? I'm awfully cold."

"I have a better idea," she replied "Just for tonight, let's pretend we're married."

"Wow! That's a great idea!", he exclaimed.

"Good," she replied."Get your own damn blanket."

After a couple minutes of silence, he farted.

To All You Survivors

To All The Kids Who Survived The 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's, This One's For You.

• First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.


• They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.


• After that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.


• We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.


• As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.


• Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat  (growing up in the country, I used to love doing this).


• We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.


• We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this.


• We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter, bacon and drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar and, we weren't overweight. WHY? Because we were always outside playing...that's why!


• We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.


• We would spend hours building our go-carts out of wood scraps and buggy wheels then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times,we learned to solve the problem.


• We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms. We had friends and we went outside and found them!


• We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.


• We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.


• We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them. There were no cell phones and we didn't need a ride.


• Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.


• The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! Not like a lot of parents today.

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

If you are one of them....

CONGRATULATIONS!