Recipe: Quick Chunky Beef Chili

When I make a dish that I love it immediately goes on repeat. Get ready to see this QUICK CHUNKY BEEF CHILI on my instastory all.winter.long. It’s hearty, packed with warm flavourful spices and it’s ready in only 30 minutes! .

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WHAT’S YOUR GO TO DISH? 😊

Quick Chunky Beef Chili

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pound lean ground beef

• 2 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 medium onion chopped

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

• 1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

• 1 (19 fl oz/540 ml) can red kidney beans, drained & rinsed

• 1 (19 fl oz/540 ml) can pinto beans, drained & rinsed

• 1 (28 fluid ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices

• 1 cup beef broth * Salt & pepper to taste

toppings (optional)

• Shredded cheddar cheese

• Sour cream

• Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips
  

Instructions

1. Add olive oil to a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 5-7 minutes or until it's softened.

2. Add the beef to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it up as you go, until brown

3. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, cocoa powder, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper.

4. Add the diced red pepper, beans and diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Increase heat to high and bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Season with salt & pepper and serve with desired toppings and enjoy. 

Recipe: Nacatole (Traditional Calabrese Cookies)

My parents were from the southern part of Italy - Calabria, and my Aunts/Cousins would make batches of these traditional cookies and deliver them to our home every Christmas.

I am now carrying on tradition and delivering them to you - virtually of course. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Nacatole (An Italian Calabrese Traditional Cookie)

Serves: 45 - 55 wreaths

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups sugar

• .6 large eggs

• ¾ cup grapeseed oil

• 5-6 cups all purpose flour

• Grapeseed oil for deep frying

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add grapeseed oil to a large pot to about half full or a deep fryer and heat to 350 degrees F.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer add eggs and sugar. Using the whisk attachment whip until light and fluffy. Pour in the oil and mix to incorporate.

3. Switch to the dough hook and begin adding flour on low speed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and easy to roll.

4. Using 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop measure dough, roll into a long straw like shape, fold in half and twist. Connect the two ends to form a circular wreath.

5. Using a slotted spoon, submerge one cookie at a time into the preheated oil and deep. The cookie should float to the top and turn golden in colour when ready.

6. Use a slotted spoon to remove the golden wreath from the oil and place in a paper towel lined colander to cool. Allow to cool completely and enjoy! Cookies should be crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.

NOTE

The traditional recipe uses vegetable oil, I use grapeseed oil because it’s a neutral-flavoured oil with a medium-high smoke point (390°F). You can use any oil as long as it has a high smoke point and neutral flavour, which means it won’t overwhelm or alter the taste of the cookies. Happy baking friends!

Recipe: Citrusy Amaretti

To quote Janet Jackson “I'm in control, never gonna stop, Control, I like to have a lot. Control, ....”

Ah, forget it! I don’t have control when it comes to these light and citrusy cookies. So freaking good!

It’s rude to talk with my mouth full so here ya go! Full recipe below :)

Citrusy Amaretti

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 23 to 25 cookies
Author: Mary Mammoliti | Kitchen Confession

Ingredients

• 3 cups medium ground blanched almonds , (do not use almond flour)
  2/3 cup granulated sugar, and additional 1/3 cup for coating the cookies before baking.
  1 tbsp orange or lemon zest
  2 large egg whites
  1 tsp almond extract
  25 whole almonds for garnish

Instructions

1. Position rack in centre of oven and preheat to 350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or use a slip mat.

2. Pour egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer, add 2/3 cup sugar and using the whisk attachment beat until light and fluffy and white in colour.

3. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and add the almond extract. Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon stir.

4. Mix citrus zest and ground almonds together and add it to your egg and sugar fluff. Mix all the ingredients together just until combined. (Dough will be sticky.)

5. Pour 1/3 cup granulated sugar into a small bowl and scoop almond mixture and roll into approximately 1 inch balls then roll around in sugar to coat.

6. Place cookies on a prepared baking sheet, 1 inch apart, gently push a whole almond in the centre of the ball and bake until edges are golden brown, 10 to 12 min. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Recipe: One Bowl Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Bread

 “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and that’s how I would describe this photo of a One Bowl Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Bread. There may be slight imperfections on top but that crispy golden imperfect exterior adds an extra layer of flavour with every warm bite. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside (perfect description of myself😁) PERFETTO! .

 One Bowl Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

• 1 medium-size ripe banana, mashed (1/2 cup)

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup pumpkin pure

• 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil

• 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

• 2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° (176ºC), and lightly grease a 9 x 5 (23 x 13 cm) bread pan. Set aside.

2. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, stirring with a whisk.

3. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, and mix until well blended

4. Add the eggs, pumpkin, yogurt and vanilla.

5. Add flour mixture; mix until blended.

6. Spoon batter into two loaf pans coated with cooking spray.

7. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash

Just when I thought I had finished cooking for the day this little beauty caught my eye and I just had to bake it up. Perfect addition to any meal and it’s the easiest recipe around.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH

INGREDIENTS

• 1 acorn squash, washed

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F * Cut the squash in half, using a spoon scrape out the insides, and slice into 1/2" half moons.

2. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss to coat. * Lay the squash out on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until fork tender and golden in colour.

Recipe: Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

A snacker [someone who eats lightly or between meals], a snack [a small amount of food eaten between meals] .

Raise your have if you’re a snacker! 🙋🏻‍♀️ OH I SEE YOU! Now repeat after me - .

“I like good snacks and I can not lie,

You other snackers can't deny,

That when the food goes in an itty bitty plate,

And goes right in your face

You get sprung..”

.

No reason, I just wanted someone to sing with me. Now sit back and relax with a bowl of SPICY ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups pumpkin seeds

• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne

• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

• parchment paper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bake at 300 degrees for 40 minutes, taking them out and stirring/flipping halfway through. Let cool for a minute and enjoy!