Today in the kitchen I was attempting to cheat making chili. Oh yes I did. I got home from work, and was to tired to start something from the beginning, so was going to make something new from something old.
And just what was I using that is old, you may ask? I was using some of my delicious spaghetti sauce that I was so clever to make a few weeks back. Of course I always make way, way too much. Most times this is accidental, but sometimes I like to do this on purpose. This was one of those "On purpose" times. You see, if you make up a huge pot of spaghetti sauce you can break it down into smaller portions and freeze them for a quick meal. Or if you are adventurous, you can can the spaghetti sauce. This is great too.
So today, I figured that I would save some time and magically turn my spaghetti into Chili. "Ta-Da!"
I chopped up some thick cut bacon and browned it in a pot, then drained it once it was cooked enough. Next I put in my spaghetti sauce. Now the magic is happening. Open a can of kidney beans, drain and rinse... into the pot you go. Next toss in a can of baked beans. Give it a stir. Are we done yet? No. How about a dash of liquid smoke? Now the spices! Ok, This is where my magic often goes astray. I fail to measure the spices. I dump in some Chili powder and some Cumin. Ever smelled Cumin? It smells great. So I dump in some more... very precisely. Give it a stir. Wait a minute for it to heat some. And a taste... hmmmm... a little bland. Well this is were I am bound for failure pretty much every time. Maybe if I would just leave it and let it simmer, the flavors would come out a little more (don't forget that I already have spices from when I made the spaghetti sauce). Anyways. I taste. I think. Then I do what my nature can not resist. I add MORE Chili, and Cumin.... perhaps too much. So, I stir and simmer a little more, then taste again.
Yep. I did it, just as I knew I would. I added too much. It is way to spicy for me, I'm suspecting. So I have a very small sample bowl... with sour cream. By the time I am done, my eyes are sweating. Who knew eyes could sweat? I knew. I've done this before.
Is all lost you ask? Will she toss the pot of chlli?
No! No, she will not!
Lucky for me that I made such a big pot of spaghetti sauce, that I have another container in the fridge to add to my flaming chili. So into the pot goes more spaghetti and beans to calm the flames.
The only problem is, I went from having a manageable cauldron of chilli bubbling to a big pot.
Hmmmm.... Who shall I pawn some of this off on? Bet my parents like chili... they have no choice now. I shall be the best daughter ever and bring them a nice container of chili.
No comments:
Post a Comment