Well, of course it is. And hot chocolate, too. With this major snowstorm attacking the east coast, we need to be prepared.

On Tuesday, I ventured over to Betty Crocker (which is funny, because I never do that) and found a few recipes for our snow-filled, football weekend.  Yesterday I made my own version of Slow-Cooker Family Favorite Chili and over the weekend I’m planning a beef stew, Pizza Dip and a few other warm, indoor weekend favorites.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 can undrained diced chili tomatoes
• 2 cans chili kidney beans, undrained
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• baking potatoes
• Shredded Mexican-style cheese

Get Cookin’

• Brown beef and saute onions together, drain.
• Put all ingredients in crockpot/slowcooker except the cheese and potatoes.
• cook on Slow-cook or low for 6-8 hours.
• About 1 hour before dinner time, turn oven to 425 to bake potatoes. (this, of course, depends on y0ur oven and preferences.)
• Serve chili on top of or beside the potato, depending on your preference. Garnish with cheese.

Notes for Next Time: While this was loved all around (see below), I’d definitely take out the crushed tomatoes and replace with another container 15-32 ounces of diced tomatoes. I like my chili chunky. I’d also include another can of beans, maybe a different kind. And if I’m adding all that, I’ll need to increase the spices. Of course, its all to taste. This recipe made enough for at least 3 dinners. So we’re set for being housebound all weekend if the snowstorm is a mean one. Plus, chili is perfect Superbowl food. And I’m still making a beef stew.

Star Power Rating: Big gave it 2 thumbs up and ate all of his chili, though not his potato. Middle didn’t eat (he was sick). The Huz commented “wow, this is good.” Then about 5 minutes later he said “this is really good. Are you sure you made this one?” Nice. They gave it a 5 out of 5 but I’m being hard on myself and giving it a 3.5 so that next time it will be chunkier. As for the potatoes, well, it turns out that oven isn’t fixed, at all. After baking them for an hour at 450, or what’s supposed to be 450, the were still really hard. So I nuked them. Someday I’ll get a new oven… Unfortunately, also need a new dishwasher and washer/dryer. But I digress.

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