Love and Lion

easy recipe

RECIPE: VEGETARIAN CHILI + CORNBREAD

This is my go-to meal for my family, especially on a chilly fall day! My kids gobble it up, though I think the cornbread might have something to do with it. You can really add in whatever vegetables (or meat) you have in the fridge and it’ll always taste good. There’s a variation of this that I LOVE if you scroll to the bottom- you cook the cornbread dough directly on top of the chili so that each bite has a layer of cornbread on it! YUM.
VEGETARIAN CHILI:
1-2 tbsp EVOO
1-2 tsp minced garlic
1 yellow onion
1 bell pepper
couple handfuls of chopped kale (optional)
soy meat crumbles / real meat
1 can green chilies
2 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn / 4 fresh ears of corn
2 can of your favorite beans (I use black beans and navy beans)
1 tbsp cumin
salt & pepper
Optional spices (leave out if you’re cooking for littles): 
cayenne, chili powder, crushed red pepper, chipotle chili powder
Toppings: 
plain greek yogurt / sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, scallions
Serve with corn muffins – the Jiffy box is my fav! (1 box makes 6 muffins, and you’ll need 1 egg and 1/3 cup of milk)
Heat olive oil on medium and add in garlic, chopped onion and pepper, and saute 5 min.
Add in meat crumbles and saute 5 min. You may need to add a little more olive oil at this point.
Add in all cans and spices you’d like.
Bring up to a boil then reduce to simmer for about 30 minutes.
I like to put a handful of chopped kale at the bottom of my bowl, put the hot chili on top to steam, then pile on the toppings. When cooking for my whole family, I leave all of the spices out except for cumin, salt, and pepper so it’s not too spicy for my kids. I’ll add crushed red pepper to my own bowl.
VARIATION:
Spread cooked chili in an 11×13″ pan (as much as can fit leaving at least 1″ room on top. I like to freeze the rest! Make 2 boxes of Jiffy cornbread mix (you’ll need 2 eggs and 2/3 cup of milk) and spread the dough on top of the chili. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until cornbread just starts to brown. Don’t overcook, or your cornbread will be dry! 
Enjoy!
-L

CREAMY SPINACH & SAUSAGE PASTA

If you follow us on Instagram, then you noticed that I posted this photo of the pasta I made for dinner the other night! I was raving about it!! I said I would post it on the blog, so here you go!
The truth is, we have eaten out A LOT the last 3.5 months just because it was easier for me to cater to my cravings, but it was $$$$. I am truly sick of eating out. I think we exhausted every family friendly place in town. I am so happy to be back in the kitchen cooking for my family and eating a big healthier. I hope you enjoy!
INGREDIENTS:

  • 6 oz. smoked sausage $1.50
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.16
  • 1 medium onion $0.32
  • 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes w/chiles $0.99
  • 2 cups chicken broth $0.30
  • 8 oz. pasta $0.50
  • 3 cups fresh spinach $0.87
  • 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded monterrey jack $1.17
  • 1 whole green onion $0.10
INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Thinly slice the smoked sausage and add it to a large skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Saute the sausage over medium heat until it is nicely browned (about 5-7 minutes). Drain off the excess fat.
  2. Dice the onion and add it to the skillet. Continue to saute until the onion has softened (about 5 minutes). Add the can of diced tomatoes with chiles and the chicken broth. Stir to combine and dissolve any browned bits off of the bottom of the skillet.
  3. Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet and make sure it is all submerged under the liquid. Place a lid on the skillet and allow the mixture to come up to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for about ten minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Stir once or twice while the pasta cooks to keep it from sticking.
  4. Stir in the fresh spinach, one cup at a time, until wilted. If you add it all at once, the skillet will be too full to stir. Keep the heat on while adding the spinach, so the liquid will continue to simmer and thicken.
  5. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top, replace the lid, and let it sit for a few minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Slice the green onions and sprinkle them over top. Serve hot!
For step by step photos/original recipe click HERE
-J

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