This chili is the perfect companion to all this cold weather

This morning I woke up to frost and temperatures in the low 20s. That's cold for Mississippi! So my thoughts are naturally turning to something warm and comforting for dinner--like this easy chili that's packed with flavor. You may already have most of its ingredients in your freezer and pantry. What could be better than a big pot steaming away in the kitchen on a cold night?

Here's the recipe:

Hearty Home-Style Chili

2 pounds ground round

1 (14-ounce) package frozen mirepoix blend (chopped onions, celery, carrots)

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano, and basil, undrained

1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

1/2 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained, rinsed

In a large saucepan, brown beef; drain, then add frozen vegetables and tomatoes; cook till tender. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 hour. Serves 6 or 7.

This recipe if from our new book Fast & Fabulous Soups, Salads and Sandwiches, which just came out in November. You can find it on page 65, if you already have it.

~ Gwen

Nancy Lottridge Anderson's signing at Lemuria

(L to R:) Gwen McKee, Barney McKee, Nancy Lottridge Anderson

at Lemuria Bookstore's Dec. 12th book signing.

On Saturday, Barney and I went over to Lemuria to go to a signing for Nancy Lottridge Anderson's new book "Tough Talk for Tough Times". She's a financial counselor and the co-host of the radio show "Money Talks" on MPR. She's got some great advice for managing money.

If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, Nancy has another book signing this Saturday, Dec. 19th in Clinton, MS. It's at Pentimento Books from 1:00 till 3:00 p.m. See details here: http://bit.ly/6RCnJ3

~Gwen

Kara Kimbrough reveals Patty Roper's entertaining secrets and gives 4 party recipes.

Did you see the article in Saturday's Madison County Herald? I think Kara Kimbrough did a great job of reviewing Patty Roper's newest book: Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations. My favorite quote? "When you invite people into your home, you are telling them they are special to you."

I'm including below one of the recipes from that article. Click here to read the full article and see the rest of her party recipes.

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Shrimp Pasta

1-1/2 sticks margarine

1 cup chopped onion

2 tablespoon dried parsley

1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

l/2 teaspoon Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning

1-1/2 pounds fresh medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 (12-ounce) package fettuccini, cooked al dente and drained

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 (16-ounce) package processed cheese, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained

1/2 cup half-and-half

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, melt margarine over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in parsley, mushrooms, salt, peppers, garlic powder, and Tony's seasoning. Pour mixture into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and stir in shrimp, tossing gently to coat. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook fettuccini al dente. Add olive oil, cheese, green chiles, and half-and-half. Stir until melted and combined. Remove shrimp from oven; stir in fettuccini and cheese mixture until combined. Cover with foil and warm for 5 minutes. Yield: 20 small servings.

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View Patty's Other Recipes:

Pork Tenderloin
Apricot Sauce
Sugar Cookies