Souper Sunday

Let me tell you first thing: I do not care who wins the Super Bowl. In fact, I'm not even sure who's playing. I hate football and most other sports and the only reason I even know there's ever a game on is because My Man is a huge fan and therefore I am forced to become aware of such things. So, today while he is hooping and hollering in front of the flat screen, I'll be in the kitchen humming along to Andrea Bocelli on my i-pod, cheerfully tuning it out.

Ok, in spirit of complete honesty which I try to maintain on this blog, I must admit that I was once a cheerleader. Briefly. In middle school. And not a very good one. In fact, the only reason I made the squad was because not enough girls tried out so they had to let me on. Sad but true. But, here you go, proof of my momentary lapse of good judgment.



Can you pick out which one is me? Yep, bottom left, the one with the feathered "wings", a popular hairstyle in 1977. *groan* How embarrassing..let's move on, shall we?

Anyway, to keep the menfolk happy while they enjoy their favorite past time, I'll be cooking up some hearty manly chili for them, chock full of meat..or so they think. *wink* Instead I'll be using the recipe below as inspiration but making just one substitution: no carne in this chili! This won't be the first time I've pulled a fast one over on them, replacing the meat with soy products, and they have never complained. I guarantee that I'll be the winner in this little game, will no doubt be scoring a touchdown with my tasty offering! ..and the crowd goes wild as Rapunzel crosses the finish line...whoot! whoot!...

Please note: I am using the Mastercook recipe program to tally nutritional information then plugging those numbers into the online WW calculator to determine POINTS. While I believe it to be accurate, please feel free to do the math yourself in your own way.

This original recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, copyright 1953, 1962.

Chili Con Carne

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1 1/2 cups kidney beans
1 large onion -- sliced
1 green pepper -- chopped
1 pound ground beef
1 pound canned tomatoes -- 8
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder -- to 1-1/2 tablespoons
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 bay leaf
dash paprika
dash cayenne

Rinse beans; then add to 1-1/2 quarts cold water and let stand overnight. Add 1 teaspoon salt to beans and the soaking water; cover, and simmer until tender, about 1 hour. Drain, reserving the bean liquid.

Brown onion, green pepper, and meat in a little hot fat. Add beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, salt, bay leaf, dash paprika and dash cayenne. Cover; simmer 1-1/2 hours, adding reserved bean liquid or water, if needed.

Serves 6.

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Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 430 Calories; 21g Fat (43.0% calories from fat); 25g Protein; 37g Carbohydrate; 14g Dietary Fiber; 64mg Cholesterol; 950mg Sodium. Appx 10 POINTS

NOTES : Or use two 1-pound cans (4 cups) red or kidney beans. Drain beans, add to meat mixture with tomatoes.

And here's my version but instead of using dry beans and soaking, etc. I'm using canned beans and my slow cooker for easier preparation. This way I can spend more time enjoying the game! HA!

I added a couple of optional POINTS/calories by topping the chili with low-fat sour cream and reduced fat shredded cheese, offered corn bread on the side and/or brown rice to pour the chili over.


Chili Con Carne Redux

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2 pounds red kidney beans, canned
1 large onion -- sliced
1 green pepper -- chopped
12 ounces morningstar Meal Starters Grillers Recipe Crumbles
1 pound canned tomatoes
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 bay leaf
pinch cayenne
pinch paprika

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Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 173 Calories; 1g Fat (5.2% calories from fat); 10g Protein; 34g Carbohydrate; 12g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 1410mg Sodium. Appx 3 POINTS

The Verdict: I definitely scored with this one, just look at those lower POINTS! I have no doubt that my team players will be tackling each other to reach the kitchen!

Have a Beauty-Full Day,