Things That Go Bump in the Night

Halloween Night takes some special planning. If you have young children who are going out Trick or Treating, it’s hard to get them to sit through a big meal. When kiddo was younger, it was a night for Corn Dogs. Quick, easy and out the door.

Unless Halloween falls on a Friday or Saturday Night, most of us aren’t attending Halloween Parties on Halloween, unless it’s a block party. When your children get older, even if you are staying home, Halloween Supper takes some thought. It needs to be something that can simmer all day. It needs to be something that can be served up easily. And it needs to be something that you can eat while dealing with interruptions – all those adorable Trick or Treaters knocking at your door. Chili is ideal for Halloween night.

Chili can be started well in advance, can simmer for hours and is easy to serve. With the exception of a few bowls and the slow cooker, all the mess of making chili can be done away with before the first piece of candy is handed out. You could even sit on the front porch with a bowl of chili and watch the children come and go. I think Halloween is truly the start of the fall comfort season.

Slow Cooker Thick Chunky Chili
1 Yellow Onion
3 small Jalapeno Peppers
1 lb Ground Beef
1 lb Pork Sausage
3 (16 oz) can Kidney Beans
1 (16 oz) can Whole Pinto Beans
2 (14 oz) cans Diced Tomatoes
2 (10 oz) cans Rotel Tomatoes
2 tablespoons California Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

Peel and chop half the onion, set aside. Stem and dice peppers, set aside. Rinse and drain all the beans, set aside.

In a large cast iron skillet, cook ground beef and ground sausage together over medium heat until no longer pink, about 15 minutes. Drain well. Place meat into the bowl of a large slow-cooker.

Add beans, both types of canned tomatoes, half of the diced onion, and all the jalapeno. Season with Chili Seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir to blend. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-1/2 hours for all the flavors to develop and marry.

Garnish
1/2 cup shredded Cheese
Reserved Diced Onion

When ready to serve, ladle chili into bowls. Garnish as desired with remaining onions and the cheese. Enjoy. Great with cornbread muffins.

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Wishing everyone a fun and safe Halloween.

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The Lord has done marvels for us