Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta e Fagioli

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2-3 ribs of celery, diced
• 3-6 cloves garlic, minced
• Healthy dash of Garlic Powder
• 2 jalapenos, sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon Mrs Dash Extra Spicy
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup dry ditalini pasta
• 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
• spices, to taste
• grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

1. Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked. Set aside.
2. In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, jalapenos, spices and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.
3. Add the minced garlic, dried basil, oregano, and thyme, and cook for an additional 1 minute.
4. Return the cooked ground beef to the pot. Stir in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, sugar, and ditalini pasta.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until the pasta is tender.
6. Stir in the drained and rinsed kidney beans and Great Northern beans. Cook for 2-3 minutes, just until the beans are heated through. Remove and discard the Parmesan rind, then taste and season with spices.
7. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm with crusty bread, and enjoy!

Devil's Chili

 Devil's Chili

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-15 oz can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1-15 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1-14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1-6 oz can tomato paste
• 2 Tablespoons Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon jalapeno powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Mrs Dash Extra Spicy
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 jalapenos sliced

Directions

1. Brown the ground beef and pork in a large pot over medium heat. Drain the excess fat.
2. Add the onion and garlic until softened.
3. Stir in the chili power, cumin and jalapeno powder and sprinkle the Mrs Dash Extra Spicy over the top and stir well.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans and black beans.
5. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer 30-45 minutes, until the chili has thickened.
6. Serve hot with cornbread.

Adapted from some unknown, I can't remember, website.