Kate's MIL's Chili

Kate also makes amazing chili. Easy. Freezes well. And (bonus!) there's a part where you can put your little minions to work. You know, make them earn their keep. Little slackers!

2 lbs ground beef/turkey
1 large onion
2 cups of tomato juice
2 cans of kidney beans, drained
2 cans of chili beans, UNdrained
2T of chili powder or more depending on the heat you want
1 cup of water (I add less water for the initial cooking and then add more when I reheat or defrost it)
3/4 cup of ketschup (or more depending on taste)
2 cans of diced tomatoes

Brown the ground beef and drain
Smash 1 cans of kidney beans and 1 can of chili beans (NOTE: Preschoolers can help with this part. Put 'em to work!)
Dump everything else in and let simmer
Serve with cheese and sour cream.

My MIL's Marvelous Meat Loaf

Crumble:

2 slices whole-wheat bread into 1/2 cup milk

When moist, add and mix well:

1 egg

1 or 2 shredded or coarsely chopped onions

1 minced clove garlic

1 and 1/2 pounds ground turkey (or, if you eat it, lean ground beef)

1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1/4 teaspoon each basil and freshly ground pepper

I often add 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, a grated carrot, or 1/2 cup or so fresh or frozen peas

Mix thoroughly, preferably with fingertips; mold into a loaf in a shallow baking dish or pack into a greased loaf pan;

sprinkle with paprika, bake at 350 degrees about 1 hour, or until 180 degrees.

Demetri's $20 Burgers

This is one of my favorite meals of all time. I always request this for my birthday dinner!!!

2 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey

1 tablespoon butter

1 small red onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

3/4 cup plain yogurt (also good without yogurt)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon horseradish

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon hot sauce (if you dare, which I do not)

1. Saute onion and garlic in butter over medium heat until onion soften and begin to turn brown.

2. Mix together all remaining ingredients EXCEPT the meat in a bowl until smooth.

3. Add meat to mixture until evenly blended.

4. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

5. Make into patties and fry or grill according to your preference.