Chili Mac (American Chop Suey) for Supper

Its been awhile since I made this.  Some of my quilter buddies were discussing dishes and their names and this one came up.  Its called different things in other parts of the world, but for me its always been American Chop Suey or Chili Mac.

Its so easy to make and sooo good.

Ingredients

1 lb. 80/20 Ground Beef  (80/10 for better flavor)

1 clove Garlic, diced

I small yellow onion diced

1 green pepper diced

1 can Crushed Tomatoes (28 oz. can)

1 can Diced Tomatoes (28 oz. can)

1 teaspoon suger

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano

1/2 teaspoon Basil or Parsley Flakes

1 lb. Elbow Macaroni

In a large pot, brown the ground beef.  When browned, drain off most of the fat.

  Add green pepper and onion to the ground beef and cook for about 5 mins. stirring occasionally.

  Add the clove of garlic and stir around in the pot.

Add 2 cans Tomatoes

  Add the seasonings.

  Bring to bubbling and then lower heat to simmer.

Bring a separate pot of salted water to boil, add the elbow macaroni and cook for about 10-12 mins.

When the macaroni is al dente, drain it and add it to the pot of sauce.

  Cook for a bit longer and stir to combine nicely.

It was so good I had 2 small bowls for my supper.  This picture that follows is the leftovers.  That is an 8-cup Pampered Chef bowl and it was filled to the top so this recipe makes a lot.  Living alone, I will be eating this for the next several days.

Cover and refrigerate.  Will keep for several days.  Enjoy.

My Favorite Race Horse of All Time is Secretariaat

I watched all 3 of his triumphant races in 1973 and needed to recall them again so I am saving a couple of the videos here for future watching when I have a minute.

The great TRIPLE CROWN RACES of 1973 will always go down in history as my favorite year.

This is the first leg of the Triple Crown in 1973.

In this, the Preakness, he started off last as usual, but as you watch this video, you can see him moving forward like a great train engine.  There was no stopping him when he started his move.

The following is the last leg of the Triple Crown...

If you want to see a machine in action, watch this magnificent animal win a race.

The Immortal Secretariat in a Nutshell......

Just click on "watch this video on youtube"

How To Make White Sandwich Bread

It seems folks are just taking time to bake and make goodies for their families.  I remember years ago when our white bread was baked a few times a week and it was oh, so tasty and fresh.  Here's a video on how to make a tasty loaf that seems to be most like my Grandma used to make.

Ingredients:

3 1/2 to 4 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour

1 1/4 Teas Salt

2 Tblsp Sugar

2 Tblsp Dry Active Yeast

3 Tblsp Butter

3/4 Cups Warm Water

1/2 Cup Milk

Just follow the steps as she's given them for a great loaf of bread.  Enjoy.

You Can Make A Mask From Leggings & A Coffee Filter

If you do not have tee shirts available, but have leggings, you can also make masks.  After you cut off the bottoms you will have a pair of shorts and a face mask.

 There are many ways to keep yourself safe.  You should try one of them.  And if you can make your own, its another step to safe health when going outdoors.

You can also weave your ties thru the tee shirt fabric and make use of the sleeves as well in the following video.  There are many ways to protect yourself, whether you sew or not.

Though this video shows over-the-ear ties, you could also just tie the cords around your head and neck if you prefer.  Whatever works best for you.

Whatever you do, be careful and stay safe.  This pandemic does not play favorites.  Anyone is susceptible to the disease.  Better safe than sorry.

Be well.

You Can Garden On A Porch, Deck or Even a Fire Escape

If you would like to grow some of your own food, but lack garden space, there are ways you can do it.  Besides plant pots on the windowsill or on the porch, there is a tiered planter than can give you several plants in minimum space.
The following video shows you one of those planters...…..

There are several videos on youtube showing this method, but I found this Daddykirbs channel which seems to show the method best.

You can grow greens, hanging plants, small tomatoes, hanging cucumbers and flowers if you desire.  There are now several mini-plants available that take up less space and produce full-sized fruits.  I have grown some myself in the past so I know they are out there.

If you have even a minimum of outdoor space available, you can grow some of your own food.  

All you need is a planter, garden soil, compost, water, started plants or seeds, and a bit of labor. 

Maybe this will work for you  

Good Luck.

How To Preserve Chicken Other Than Freezing

Yes, everyone, there's a way to preserve your chickens other than freezing.  Sometimes there are power outages and if you are relying entirely on power to keep your foods frozen, you could very well lose your food source.
Try pressure canning some of your stock.  The following video shows you step-by-step how to cut up your chickens, fill your jars, and pressure can them, then allow them to cool and store.
Living Traditions Homestead is a good source at youtube if you want to learn how to keep your family fed.  They have good growing tips and videos on cooking and preserving that are safe and sure for you and your family.

There are more ways than just freezing your meats to save them for future use.  Canning is a long-time method used for many years to safely feed your family.  Pressure-Canning has taken it a step further toward safety and reliability. 

Whether you buy cut-up chicken parts or whole chickens from your grocery store or butcher, or you have your own flock of meat birds or dual-purpose chickens at your disposal, you, too, can preserve chicken for your future use.

Times get really tough when there are food shortages or pandemics.  Learning how to preserve foods for you and your family in the future is a plus.

I hope this video is helpful.

Stay Safe, Keep Your Distance and Disinfect during this troubling Pandemic.

How To Prevent Frost On Your Ice Cream

I know its happened to all of us.  We buy ice cream, put it in the freezer, and after opening it a few times, we find ice crystals forming on the ice cream.
You can prevent it very easily.
All you need is a piece of waxed paper, about 3 inches larger all around than your ice cream carton.

This is what my ice cream looks like covered in waxed paper. You notice the paper is tucked right down on top of the ice cream to prevent icing.

As you can see, I have pretty much emptied this carton of ice cream but there is absolutely NO freezer burn, ice crystals or frost on this ice cream.

When you have removed the portion of ice cream you want, just tuck the waxed paper back down into the carton covering all the ice cream inside.

Stick the top back on, and place the carton back in your freezer.  No ice-forming crystals will damage your ice cream.  It works.  I use this method all the time.

Happy Ice Cream Days!