My step daughter LOVES chili. I don't like canned chili very much so I 'created' my own recipe. I used the can to see the ingredients in chili and 'winged' it. I don't use cook books much.

1 lb. Ground Beef (browned & drained)
2 C. Pinto Beans
1 C. Red Kidney Beans
1 can tomato paste
Chili Powder
Garlic (granulated)
Salt
Onion Powder (you can use diced onion too)

In the morning, I put the beans, salt (& if you want to add diced onion, or bell peppers) into a crock pot & fill half to three quarters full with water. In the early afternoon, I add the ground beef, tomato paste and spices (chili powder, garlic/onion powder) I also like to add canned diced tomatoes sometimes. I let it simmer until dinner time. add salt to taste.

It can be served in a sourdough bowl, in a regular bowl with corn bread, over Fritos & sprinkled with cheese, or as a side dish.

and don't forget to use a crock pot liner.

My daughters name is Rachel nickname is Rae. So when I see your name it reminds me of her... although spelled differently.

I make Doughnuts with my family... refrigerated biscuit dough :)

Open the biscuits set them out on the counter let them come to room temperature. (they rise a little)

Either poke a hole or use a thimble, soda cap (anything small and round) to make a hole.

If you don't poke a hole you can fill them with jam, jelly or pudding with a pastry bag. After they are fried.

Deep fry for a minute turn over when golden brown drain on paper towels.

Make different toppings ... chocolate glaze vanilla glaze

Glaze=Powdered sugar and milk (I never measure this part). Add different flavorings to your liking. Almond vanilla lemon pick your favorite.

When they are just about ready I slap some flour on my face and yell come and get em'. (like I have been making donuts all night)I let the kids decorate their own donuts with ice cream toppers.

I also make them with prepared pizza dough from the bakery or deli case at the market .... same thing let it rise a bit hand cut these no hole ... top with regular sugar or powdered sugar ... fried dough like you find at fairs and carnivals. (portuguese donut malassadas) This one cannot be filled.

I do something similar cawfe! Only I take the dough and cut it into 1/4ths and make "donut holes" then sprinkle them with powdered sugar while they're still hot and serve.

Another recipe that DH and the kids love... My veggie soup. I loathe canned soup, so out of desperation for soup, not wanting to go to the grocery store, and sheer exhaustion, I made this stuff.

1 lb ground beef (browned)

4 cans tomato sauce

2 cans veg-all

1 can corn

1 can green beans

1 can carrots (all canned veggies drained and rinsed)

6 cups of water (or enough to thin to your preference)

Pepper, salt, seasoned salt, thyme, italian season, marjoram, and rosemary (dried: season to taste)

Remember to bring the soup to a boil to ensure that the flavor of the herbs combine with the other ingredients and vice versa. Quick, kind of spicy, simple, and even my MIL loves it.

cawfecup: I also make doughnuts with the kids from the refrigerated biscuit dough, and have since I was a kid! We heat oil in a skillet (stand back, as it can splatter hot oil)
and use a soda cap to cut out the holes and cook both the doughnuts and the holes.

Make a plate of cinnamon sugar and one of powdered sugar and then dip the doughnuts as soon as they are out of the hot oil. Thank you for the tip on letting dough reach room temperature, as I had forgotten to do that. Also thank you for the glaze recipe! We had only done the cinnamon sugar and the powdered sugar.

They need to be eaten immediately. They do not keep well.

This is a parent supervised activity because of the hot oil.