VAL'S SPICY 4Patriot's BEAN CHILI MAC Recipe; Ocean Park-WA

Betsy & Independence; Ocean Park-WA

Val's 4Patriots Bean Chili Mac, served with cinnamon cornbread.

A chilly day calls for a chili dish topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sprinkled with snipped cilantro (I bought a bunch in Bouse-AZ a few months ago, cut it fine & froze it) … and a side of Cinnamon flavored cornbread; that combo sounds good for tonight's Supper 😊

A 4Patriots Survival Food Packet (original packaging); these dry food mixes take up very little space - that is crucial to full-time RV Living. For tonight's Supper; a 4Patriots food packet I had halved to feed 2 people - and vac-locked, & boxed cornbread mix.

I used one of the 4Patriot's dry mix packets of red kidney beans, elbow macaroni, & dry seasonings which I'm pretty sure has chicken flavored  bouillon in it - then, I tweaked this prepacked meal with a few addition's of my own: extra spices to liven the flavor up, tomatoes because MPO is that chili is not chili without tomatoes in it; and I also added corn because like my husband I love corn, and we've been missing it. And noticing that the bell pepper I'd purchased in Bouse-AZ was still in the freezer … I threw that into the mix, for more color as well as flavor 😉

Ingredients - prepared ahead of time; perishables refrigerated until suppertime cooking.

I usually - like today - prepare ingredients in advance: this cuts down on kitchen time (when supper cooking is underway), & dish washing (I wash the prep cutting board, measuring cups & spoons following the prep work; the dishes are not left to pile sky high; later on).

Also, if we decided to go sight-seeing or visiting before suppertime, the prep is already done, and all I have to do is pull it together - easy peasy 👍

I did dishes (prep & cooking) at intervals, so there would be no need for dishwashing jenga; space is coveted in Independence's Farmhouse themed Galley Kitchen.

About half an hour before starting the chili, I got the cornbread going …

Starting the cornbread; exact measurements given - this is new to us. Our taste buds were salivating; gently stirred, it definitely looks more than 'just moistened'. Hmm; I hope it will not taste doughy. I don't like doughy foods.

Turned into the pan with a hope & a prayer …

Placed on the top oven shelf, so it won't bottom burn & hopefully the top will [set]. Gas ovens are tricky.

Timer set for 25 minutes - we'll see; sometimes gas ovens take longer to actually cook at temperatures called for. Stoves cook differently - with toothpick, check center for doneness: add 5 minutes more, check again. Repeat if necessary until center is not doughy. My cornbread took about 30 minutes to cook through.

While cornbread is baking, gather the ingredients & get the chili underway:

Ingredients.

Val's 4Patriots Bean Chili Mac ~serves 4

1/2 pkt. 4Patriots Bean Chili Mac * 1/2 lb. lean Hamburger, browned & degreased * 1 14.5 oz. canned Tomatoes, diced * 3-1/2 c. Water * 1 Red Onion, sliced * 1 clove Garlic, pressed * 1/2 c. Celery, sliced * 1/2 Green Bell pepper, chopped * 1/2 TBSP Butter * 1/2 TBSP Margarine * 1/2 TBSP. Chili Powder (the dry mix already has some, but we like more flavor bite 👌) * 1/2 tsp. Oregano leaves, dry * 1/4 tsp. Mustard, powder * 1 tsp. Cumin, powder * 1/2 tsp. Himalayan Pink Salt * 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper, grnd. * 1/4 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded (opt.) * 1/4 c. Mozzarella cheese, shredded (opt.) * 1/2 TBSP. Cilantro, snipped * Cooking Spray * 1 Lrg. Soup Pot * 1 Lrg. Cooking Spoon

1) Spray the cooking pot with cooking spray - add onion, celery, & garlic: over medium-high heat, sauté until veggies are tender. Lower heat to medium, add cooked hamburger, and cook about 10 minutes …

2) Add the green Bell pepper & corn; cook about 5 minutes - or until pepper pieces are warmed through:

3) Cut 4Patriots packet open, and pour dry blend into pot; stir to thoroughly incorporate dry sauce mix …

4) Add Water, tomatoes, spices, butter, & cilantro - bring to a boil; then reduce heat to medium heat, and cook about 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

5) Remove from heat and let stand about 5 minutes to thicken, before serving.

Ladle into soup mugs & serve with cinnamon cornbread. YUM!

Husband approved & a repeat meal 😘