Chilly Children and Chili for Dinner

Aiden to all 3 kids: It's pretty chilly outside this morning.  You might want a warmer coat.

Alex: Nah, I'm good.

Annie: I'm just going to wear this one.

Ashley: *crickets chirp as she ignores me*

Aiden: No, really.  It's way, WAY colder than it has been.

Annie: How much degrees is it?

Aiden: 31.

Alex: That's below freezing.

Aiden: I know.  Are you sure you don't want a heavier jacket?  I know I would!

Fast forward to 10 minutes later at the bus stop.

All 3 Kids:  I'm soooooooo cold.  It's soooooooo cold outside.  When's the bus coming?  It's soooooooo cold.

Aiden: I know.

Does anyone else parent this way?  Holly's classes called it "natural consequences".  I call it, "hey dork! I told you so!"

Now, for dinner.  I made Holly's mom's recipe.  I guess I could just say "my mother-in-law's" recipe.  Duh.  Anyway, it's super easy and super good.  And I'm cheating and making Jiffy Corn Muffins from a box.  Hey, I get a night off.  And the box of mix is like 33 cents!

Mom's Chili

or

Aiden's Mother-in-Law's Chili



1 lb hamburger (we use ground turkey)

1/2 onion sliced

1 or 2 cloves of garlic

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)

2 cans chili beans (15 oz cans or one large can)

Cumin, salt, pepper and chili powder to taste

1/2 C ketchup

Brown meat, onion, and garlic in 5qt stock pot.  Drain fat if needed.  Combine with tomato products, beans and ketchup.  Stir in spices *(I also season the meat while it's browning).  If you want/need to thicken you can add potato flakes, flour, or corn starch.  Cook to warm through *(I put mine in the crock pot about 2 hours ahead of time just for ease, since I can't always guarantee I'll feel good enough to stand at a stove later).

A Rant

I'm not one to blog about political issues.  I like to blog about happy things like cooking, cleaning, children, and the like.  But I am MAD!

The GOP appointed Veteran's Affairs chairman is all mad that the VA budget has increased annually over the last decade and wants to curb VA spending.  Well, of course the damn budget has increased!  We've been in two wars fought by veteran's who have to keep going back over and over again.  They have needs!  Thank goodness the Democrat counterpart (Patty Murray, Cal) to this yahoo from Florida (Jeff Miller) promises to watch him "like a hawk".  Because, Jeff Miller (who is not a veteran), the people who promised to defend and protect their nation to their death deserve the very best care we can provide them.

And let's talk about this care for a second.  My own personal experience has been awful at times, occasionally spectacular, but generally just fair.  I wait ridiculous amounts of times for prescriptions and appointments.  Overworked staff are unable to call me back for days sometimes, leaving me in excruciating pain with no help.  Just yesterday I learned that my local VA lost a copy of an MRI that needed to get to a specialist in Portland, thus delaying treatment even further.

*Please note, very little of my frustration is directed at the people who work at the VA.  Well, the Walla Walla VA and the Portland VA, at least.  Their issues stem from having to care for far too many veteran's with a very limited number of staff.  My experience at the Spokane VA, well, that was different.

So, that's what I have to have to say about that.  Political beliefs aside, it is ridiculous to send our men and women off to war and then not provide them ample care upon their return.  It makes me sick to my stomach.  And now I'm done complaining.

Dinner's On!

In an attempt to cut back on our food budget, my shopping has gotten a little boring.  But thanks to some decent planning and the fact that I'm a stay-at-home parent, the food has actually gotten better!  I've decided to go all 50's style and make most of what we eat from scratch.  Homemade breads, mac n' cheese, chili, etc.  Yummy!

Today I made Southern Style Biscuits (Alton Brown's Recipe) to go with our Chicken Fried Chicken and gravy, mashed potatoes and steamed carrots.  I ended up just shaping the biscuits as best as I could by hand because I'm one of those people who will overwork bread dough until it's dead.  So, my biscuits aren't pretty, but damn they turned out GREAT!

I posted my chicken frying technique on my old blog, but I'll give it to y'all again.  I prefer to cut boneless/skinless chicken breasts into strips. They're just easier to handle and the kids don't have to cut anything!  I take 2 egg whites and 2T of water and beat together in a bowl.  In a separate, larger bowl I crush a stack of saltines (or you can use flour or bread crumbs, the saltines just add a nice crunch) and mix in pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika (or just season to your taste).  You can also add some finely shredded cheese to make it extra delicious, but not extra healthy! 

Now, dip the chicken in the egg whites and then coat in the saltines or flour.  Now, here's the important part: refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before frying!  It helps the breading stick!  And I prefer to fry in a non-stick skillet so the breading doesn't get stuck and I can use far less oil.  Depending on the thickness of the chicken, it takes anywhere from 5-10 minutes on each side.

Well, we're not eating very healthy tonight, but sometimes you just have to have some good fried chicken and gravy!  Yum!