2 Meat & 5 Bean Chili

~As part of the First Lady’s campaign for healthy lunches in the public schools, my son’s elementary school has begun a course entitled, “Eat Right, Play Right”. Once a week, the kids meet together with a nutritionist and cafeteria staff. They talk about making healthy food choices and even how to encourage parents to take a more active role in cooking healthy dinners. Sometimes they have the kids choose items to serve on the menu. Recently, the kids created a chili based on ingredients picked out of the school’s refrigerator. My 6yr old tells me that all sorts of things were thrown in; carrots, cabbage, beans, etc.

It got me thinking about having my kids become more involved in their meals and a bit more hands on experience. We had a great time at the store picking out different things, which is why there are 5 varieties of beans- I was also curious about the different types.  Then the kids got to move from “chop station” to “cook station” to “serving station”. I would encourage all parents to give their children more active roles in the kitchen; kids are interested in everything and it’s never too early to teach them that it’s important to think about what they put into their bodies.

Special Equipment:

6qt pot

Crock pot

Ingredients:

1lb ground beef

1lb sausage meat (casings removed)

20oz can peeled and crushed tomato

15oz can butter beans

15oz can black beans

15oz can Great Northern beans

15oz red kidney beans

15oz light red kidney beans

6 celery stalks- diced

1 large yellow onion- diced
1 green bell pepper- seeded and diced

1.25oz McCormick's original chili seasoning

1tbsp granulated garlic

1tsp salt

2tbsp sugar

1tbsp fish sauce

1 tsp dark soy sauce 

Shredded sharp cheddar (for garnish)

Directions:

1. Drain all beans in colander.
2. Set pan on medium high heat. Add sausage meat. As meat cooks, break up into smaller chunks. Once meat is ¾ of the way browned, move sausage to the side of pot and off hot center spot.
3. Add beef to brown. Make sure to break meat up into smaller chunks. Once meat is cooked, carefully drain out excess oil.
4. Add onion and celery. Cover for about 5min.
5. Add tomato, all seasonings, and beans. Mix thoroughly and cover for about 15min. Reduce heat to medium low.
6. Remove contents and place into crockpot. Cook for about 2.5hrs. (If you don't have a crockpot, set heat on low and cook for same amount of time. Add half cup of water. Make sure to stir every once in a while.) 
7. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
8. Place into individual bowls and garnish with cheddar.