VEGETABLE-RICE CHILI HOTDISH (Fills a No. 10 cast iron skillet (11")
1-1/2 to 1-3/4 lb. lean ground beef (ground round)
1 small onion, or 2 tablespoons dry minced onions
1 can mixed vegetables (juice included)
2 cans kidney beans (juice included) - may substitute lima beans, northern beans, butter beans or chili beans, etc., for variety
1 can cream of mushroom soup (may use another can of tomato soup or stewed tomatoes)
1 can tomato soup
1/4-1/3 cup Minute Rice (may add more or less depending on thickness desired)
Seasonings (may vary as desired):
1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt or Season-all or Mrs. Dash
1 teaspoon hot chili powder or 1-1/2 teaspoons black pepper (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon oregano powder
1/2-1 teaspoon dry mustard
3 tablespoons onion soup mix (Lipton’s)
Optional ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon Marjoram powder
1/2 teaspoon Ginger powder
1/2 teaspoon Rosemary Leaves (powdered)
One 2-4 oz. jar or can mushrooms
Jalapeno peppers, diced (for those who like some “heat”)
Mix the dry seasonings together (including the dry onions if used) and add to the ground beef as it is browned in a covered skillet (to retain moisture). Fattier meat may have to have the grease drained off and some extra water added later if needed. When the meat is suitably browned, add the vegetables, beans, and soups; stir and cook over low heat until the mixture begins to boil. (Keep covered to reduce moisture loss.)
After the mixture comes to a boil, stir in Minute Rice; cover, remove from heat, and allow rice to hydrate for 10 to 15 minutes. (Use less rice if do not want as thick.) Without rice, it is more like regular chili.
This is one of my recipes that I’ve developed over the years. It can serve both as a Chili or as a Chili Hotdish, depending upon whether one uses the rice or not.
Patrick Phillips, Jr., Bismarck, N.D.