Spicy Chorizo Chili

This past weekend I was in an annual chili cook. As ever, I did not win but placed well, 4th of 13. In spite of my non-podium finish, thought I'd share the recipe!

In a crock pot or large stove top pot, combine the following:

1 15oz can diced tomatoes
1 15oz can tomato sauce
1 can hot Rotel
2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped
2 tablespoons of chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt

Then in a skillet, brown 2 pounds of ground chuck. Drain and discard the fat. Add to the crock pot.

Brown 1 pound chorizo sausage, crumbled. Drain and reserve the fat. Add the sausage to the other ingredients.

Combine one diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves with some of the reserved fat in the pan over medium high heat. Salute until soft and add to the crock pot.

Simmer for an hour or so and enjoy!

Cauliflower Blue Cheese Mash

One of the best paleo dishes I've found if cauliflower mash. While it isn't mashed potatoes, it is delicious and an excellent way to eat more veggies!

Start by boiling cauliflower until fork tender. (If you rest a wooden spoon over the top, it helps prevent overspill when the bubbles start.)

Then crumble some blue cheese. If you're not a fan of stinky cheese, you can substitute feta or just leave it out. Most any cheese with this texture will work well. 

When the cauliflower is soft, drain the water. Add butter, cheese, salt, pepper, and, if you are really feeling, heavy cream.

Blend with a stick mixer (or a hand masher.) 

That's it! Not much to look at, but I promise it will be a new side-dish favorite!

Snow Day Means Buffalo Chicken Pizza!

Last night we had about 10 inches of snow, making it a perfect day to make some pizza. One of our favorite toppings is buffalo chicken. 

Start with 3 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 of hot sauce.

Add 4 tablespoons of honey.

2 tablespoons of white vinegar.

Then 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Cook over medium high heat until bubbly. Then add the shredded chicken from one rotisserie chicken.

Then use as you would any other topping. (Pizza recipe here.)

I had to take the picture fast, it was gone quickly!

Spiced Mixed Nuts

I had a craving for spiced nuts today and made these. Easy and so good I had to walk out of the kitchen so I leave some for others!

1 lb mixed nuts (unsalted was called for but I used some salted and it was fine)
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
1 table spoon melted butter

Mix these ingredients in a bowl and the add:

2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder

Line a baking sheet (one with sides) with parchment paper. Spread nuts out and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. So yummy!