Time off work = time to cook

So, I've been off work for a week now, which has given me great opportunities to cook.  The unfortunate part is I didn't take pictures of some of the items I made so far, such as pretzel bites, so I will add them as I make them again.

Tonight's dinner consisted of crock pot chili and white chocolate brownies.  Details below!



Crock Pot Chili - Recipe courtesy of MightyPurdue22 @ AllRecipes.com
I made a few adjustments, so here's my version (excuse the image in a ziploc - I had started to bag this to freeze a whole bunch.  My crock pot was crammed full!!)

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 3 sausages, removed from casing (I used honey garlic, only because I didn't have any hot)
• 4 cans chili beans, drained and rinsed - I chose red kidney, black, mixed low sodium and romano
• 1 can chili beans in spicy sauce (PC brand "Smokin' Stampede" bean mix)
• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
• 4 cubes beef bouillon
• 1/2 cup beer
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce or other hot pepper sauce 
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon white sugar

1. Brown all of the meat together until fully cooked
2. Toss all ingredients into your crock pot
3. Cook on low from 2-6 hours.  I did mine for 6 hours - the longer it simmers the better it is.
4. I served it with ciabatta buns.  My hubby said it was more like a stew than a chili but loved it!

Now onto DESSERT!
I had been searching high and low for a recipe that depicted Moxie's White Chocolate Brownie and boy did I find it here at Buttercream Barbie's Blog.

• 8 ounces white chocolate, chopped (1/2 lb or 1 cup)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
2. Grease a 8x8 or 9x9 pan. 
3. Melt white chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler, over barely simmering water until smooth, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool.
4. In a large bowl, beat eggs until foamy. Gradually add the sugar and vanilla, mixing constantly. Drizzle in the melted white chocolate mixture. Combine the flour and salt; fold into the white chocolate mixture. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool then cut into bars.
6. Serve heated (if it cools zap it in the microwave for 40 seconds). I topped mine with cookies and cream ice cream, SO GOOD!!