Mike and Deb's Beer Chili and Famous Cornbread

So here is our recipe for this week. We have been really contained to the house this past weekend due to a bunch of sick kiddos and a sick kitty cat. My husband Mike thought that he would whip up some of his favorite beer chili. He always asks me to make my famous cornbread to accompany it! These are super good together so hope you will try them out.

Mike's Beer Chili

2lbs. hamburger

1lb. bacon

2 cans of kidney beans

2 cans of black beans

2 cans of tomato paste

1 lrg. can of crushed tomatoes

1 beer of choice (We only use Sierra Nevada in this house)

2 white onions

2 bell pepper

1 red pepper

1 yellow pepper

5 cloves garlic

2 fresh tomatoes

1 tablespoon of oregano

1 tablespoon of cumin

1 1/2 tablespoons of paprika

1 - 2 tablespoons of chili powder

1-2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper (If you want the kids to be able to eat it. Stick with 3/4 of a tablespoon or less. Mike used 2 tablespoons at it was a little too spicy for our little eaters)

Brown the hamburger. In a food processor (or a blender) combine fresh tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, garlic, cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder and cayenne pepper together until blended. Fry the bacon until nice and crisp.

Add hamburger, blended ingredients, bacon and remaining items into a large stockpot. Add enough water to give it the correct consistency. Cook and cook and cook on medium heat. It makes the house smell fantastic!

Deb's Famous Cornbread

This is a recipe I have adapted from the original recipe on the Aber's Corn Meal box. My mom always made our cornbread nice and sweet and I have to carry on the tradition here. I love it like this and I think you will too.

1 cup of Aber's yellow corn meal (or any brand of corn meal that you have handy. I just prefer Abers)

1 cup of all purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 cup of milk

1/3 cup of extra light virgin olive oil

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease an 8 inch baking pan.

Combine corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Combine milk, oil and egg in small bowl; mix well. Add milk mixture to flour mixture; stir just until blended. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for approximately 20 -23 minutes. I use a wooden toothpick to see if it is done or not. When it comes out clean I know that it is ready to roll.