Will Rogers Chili

This is a good, low-fat chili without an overpowering chili powder flavor--just the way I like it!

1 T. olive oil
1-2 onions, chopped
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 fresh jalapenos, cored, seeded, chopped
4 lbs. (yes, 4 lbs!) ground beef (I get the leanest possible or you can use ground turkey)
2 t. cumin
1 -2 T. chili powder (I used Chipotle chili powder--I like that smoky flavor)
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained (or you can use 1 can of crushed and 1 of diced)
4 c. hot water
salt to taste

options: add some fresh chopped cilantro and pinto beans

Saute onions, garlic, and jalapenos in oil over medium heat until tender, about 8 min. Do NOT brown or caramelize.

Add meat and saute until lightly colored (I only add half and cook the other half in a large skillet at the same time...much easier). Drain off excess fat. (You shouldn't have much, if any, using low-fat meat).

Add seasonings, tomatoes, and hot water. Bring to a boil, lower heat, simmer 1 hour.

Serve with: grated cheese, sour cream, guacamole, picante sauce, crackers, cornbread, or corn chips. Ok...maybe it's not really low-fat chili if you add all this!!

I did not add beans the first time I made this....it served 7 of us and we ate at least half of it if not a bit more.

Did I forget to mention...

I've lost 11 lbs. in the last 5 weeks! That makes for a total of 17 since the first of June!!! Woo hoo!!! (Note: this is not me on the scales....that's just what I wish I weighed....and did when I was in high school!)

Crustless Quiche

This was so fast and easy to make! It's great to throw in extras that you might have on hand such as mushrooms, smoked turkey or ham, or even substitute broccoli for the spinach. Not only is this a great breakfast, but it's a great meal anytime! :)

1 T. vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped,
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained (I used fresh)
5-6 eggs, beaten
3 c. shredded Muenster cheese (I used something else that I had on hand)
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions (maybe some garlic, too!) and coo, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft. Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated (or it has wilted).

In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper (I usually add a bit of dill weed, too). Add spinach mixture and stir to blend. Pour into prepared pie pan.

Bake in oven until eggs have set, about 30 min. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Smoked Turkey Salad

Before summer gets away, enjoy this yummy salad!

1lb turkey or chicken cut into 1/4" strips (4 c.)
1 c provolone or Swiss, cut into cubes
2 c celery, sliced
1 c honey-roasted cashews
4 c strawberries, cut in half
1 c sour cream
1/4 c honey
2 T fresh parsley, chopped
2 t ground mustard
3 t lemon juice

Mix first 5 ingredients in md bowl.
In separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Pour
over turkey salad and stir. Cover and refrigerate until ready to
serve. Makes 4 servings

686 calories. 49 g protein. 37 g fat