Chilli Weather & Snuggle Time

Isn't that the cutest snuggling kitten ever?!

That's what I felt like this morning inside my super warm comforter.

Cold front in Texas = extra hard for me to get out of bed and be at work on time.

Any tips/tricks for how you wake up during colder winter months?

ANYWAYS

Knowing that there was going to be a cold front moving in, last night I decided to make the perfect chilly fall day meal --- CHILLI!

I actually have had chilli on my mind since we had a big storm blow through the other night that broke off several large branches of a tree I parked next to...

Yep. That's the view right through my window... Thank heavens the branches fell that way and not on top of my car!!!!

Chilli is quick, easy, reheats well as left overs, and can be relatively healthy AND high in protein if you make it yourself!

Here's my recipe:

Lean Texas Chilli:

Makes 5-7 servings, depending on how big you fill your bowl!

Ingredients

20 oz Extra Lean Ground Beef (96-98%) - you can sub ground Turkey!

1/3 cup Mexicorn

12 oz Chunky Salsa

Louisiana Hot Sauce

2-3 tsp Chilli Powder

1 can Diced Tomatoes

3/4 cup Black Beans

Diced Onions/Bell Peppers

Directions

1.  Cook Lean Ground Beef in Skillet.  Strain out any liquid once meat is cooked throughout.  Put meat to the side once cooked/strained. 

2.  While meat is cooking add onions and any other chopped veggies you may have on hand to skillet and begin to saute on med/high heat.

I had chopped onion leftover and a few mushroom sliced but would've loved to add chopped bell peppers had any been left in the fridge!

3. Add jar of Salsa, Can of Diced Tomatoes, splash of Louisiana Hot Sauce (don't add too much here -- you can always add more later to taste!), 2-3tsp Chilli Powder, 3/4 can Black Beans, small can of Mexicorn to skillet and cook on medium/high heat stirring often

I like to use Pace Mild Chunky salsa because I know the flavor isn't giong to be too harsh, it's more of a crowd pleaser.

4. For easy seasoning grap a packet of chilli/fajita seasoning at the grocery store!

5.  Simmer your sauce until it thickens a little (~10min total stove time)

get that sauce cookin'!

6.  Stir in beer beef  {omg that was an accidental typo.. but now that I think of it, a splash of beer sounds pretty awesome?!} and let chilli simmer on low/medium heat for ~5min. 

Thick, chunky chilli!

You can serve with a sprinkle of cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and/or chips.

I had mine over some delicious oven roasted broccoli - for me, the crispier the better!

Now, Here's the 'skinny' on the Chilli:

Note: does not include nutritional facts for additional toppings like chips/cheese

{Facts are for 5 servings from above recipe}

Calories: 225 cal

Total Fat: 4.8g (for 96% lean beef)

Carbohydrates: 18.1g

Dietary Fiber: 4.7g

Sugars: 7g

Protein: 27.1g

Plus 21% Daily Iron!

This is the perfect base to a meal -- add chips, cheese, broccoli, pitas and Voila - Dinner is served!

Speaking of comfort foods that just warm you up on a chilly/stormy day... I find I drink more hot tea this time of year.

New favorite *combo* ~ Moroccan Mint Green Tea & Decaf Raspberry & White Tea

with a dash of Truvia

Questions for the Day:

From above --

Any tips/tricks for how you wake up during colder winter months?

personally, I already set my alarm a few feet from my bed so I can't hit snooze without getting up!

What's your favorite winter comfort food?

Do you drink hot tea?  Cold tea? Simply a coffee kinda gal?

I'm always a coffee girl, but fall/winter I tend to grab a cup of hot tea in the afternoon!