Menu Monday: Perfect Easy Chili

I can't say I'm a huge fan of spicy food; my stomach just can't handle it. Although, I do love chili and I like my chili pretty hot. Over the years I have perfected a concoction of ingredients, borrowed from various recipes and shuffled together to make, arguably, the best chili ever.

Yesterday, after being sick for a better part of the last 7 days, Aaron and I, along with a friend, went for a hike/snowshoe. We snowshoed up one side of the mountain but took off the shoes on the way down, as it was easier. This particular mountain, Mt. Uncanoonuc, in a local native language actually translates to "breasts" or "woman laying down" (depending who you talk to) because the two mountains look like two breasts! We did the North Trail which wasn't too strenuous (although, at a few points I thought I might have keeled) and the summit provides a nice view of Manchester.

In a cave Nickie and I explored, I found the most amazing icicle. I was mesmerized by it!

Once at the summit we made hot cocoa on a small stove, ate various snacks, and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery. All in all it took us about 3.5 hours and afterward we were HUNGRY. Luckily, early yesterday morning, I prepared chili and it was already simmering in my crock-pot. When we got home we warmed up by making some fresh corn bread (mix courtesy from none other than Trader Joe's) and filled our bellies with Chili.

Jessi's Perfect Easy Chili:

• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (yesterday we used ground turkey as it's healthier and our friend doesn't eat red meat- both are delish.)
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 cans Bush's chili beans
• 1 jar of salsa (I get regular flavor, medium size jar, medium hot)
• 3/4 cup onion (any onion)
• 3/4 cup green pepper
• Chili spice (to taste)

*** Brown the meat and throw it in the crock-pot. Add all the other ingredients and set to "low" for about 5 hours or until simmering (stirring occasionally- but stirring isn't necessary.) Add cheese and hot sauce to the top and, if you're ambitious, make some corn bread and drizzle it with honey. Amazing!!!

It's not "from scratch" but it's easy and delicious!