Recipe: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

I am a big fan of all things pumpkin in the fall and winter.  There is just something warm and cozy about the flavor, and I am always a big fan of chocolate, so this recipe is a no brainer with me.  Plus, it is the best pumpkin bread I have found.  After a week it will still be moist!

Ingredients:

3 Cups white sugar

1 Can pumpkin puree

1 Cup veg oil

2/3 Cup water

4 Eggs

3 1/2 Cups Flour

1 Table spoon cinnamon

1 Table spoon nutmeg

2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Bake at 350 for 1 hour (depending on oven temps you can look at the top of the bread to determine if it needs another ten to fifteen)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour three 9 by 5 loaf pans.

2. In a large bowl combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water and eggs.  Beat until smooth.  Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.  Fold in chocolate chips.

3.  Bake 1hr or until inserted knife comes out clean.

These breads make a great gift, and they also freeze very well!  Let me know if you make it/like it!!!

XX,

Brooke

Recipe: Trail Chili

One thing that I find in common with many southern women is a love of cooking.  My friends from the north typically prefer to go out a good bit more, and don't enjoy it as much as my southern cohorts.  This is of course not true across the board at all, but I do find it to be a theme of conversation among southern women!  Another thing we all have in common is a love of SIMPLE yet DELICIOUS recipes.  I have slaved over super complicated recipes that have taken me hours... and yes, they usually turn out well, but they are exhausting, and who has time for that?

So, one of mine and Michael's favorite things to eat is chili.  He is always wildly happy when I make chili. Texting me all day how he can't wait until dinner time!  So I thought I'd share the recipe I've been using this year.  It's a slow cooker chili, and it's yummy!!

Now, we like to add fritos on top of ours, but that's just our preference!  It is yummy btw if you haven't tried that!!

Trail Chili

(Original Recipe by Jeanne Allen--Mine is modified)

1lb ground chicken

1 large onion, diced

28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 can rotel diced tomatoes and chilis (original)

1 16 oz. can kidney beans, undrained

1 cup water

2 garlic cloves minced

Season to taste with: chili powder, ground cumin, pepper, salt, and garlic powder

1. Brown chicken (I season with italian seasoning)  Drain and place in slow cooker.

2. Stir in remaining ingredients.  

3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

I hope you enjoy it, it's really very easy, just taste it along the way and make sure it's turning out how you like, or add more seasonings!  I love tweaking recipes, I may try to add beer instead of water and see what kind of flavor that brings next time!

XX,

Brooke