Chili in Wexford

The Texan in me is skipping again. Earlier this week Whole Foods in Wexford contacted me about their inaugural Chili Cook-Off this Saturday {1/12} with an invitation to come and taste the entries. I'm down! Too bad I can't enter the contest! I love making Nigella's Cornbread-Topped Chili or the Yam & Bean Orange-Scented Chili from Everybody Likes Sandwiches. What are your favorite recipes for chili?

Yam & Bean Orange-Scented Chili Via Everybody Likes Sandwiches

Here's the skinny on Saturday's event:

Warm Up From the “Chili”-Weather with Whole Foods Market® Wexford First Annual Chili Cook-Off Competition!  Enjoy assorted chili recipes while listening to local group Broke, Stranded & Ugly

WHAT:           Whole Foods Market Wexford is hosting their FIRST EVER Chili Cook-Off! From slow-roasted crock pot chili to one-pot chili casseroles, Wexford Team Members have begun preparing their best rendition of momma’s homemade chili.  Whether you are accustomed to lamb, lentils, or seafood chili or beef, veggies and tofu, there will be bowls of goodness filled with savory flavors for all palettes at this FREE event. 

For those who prefer the staple made from all organic ingredients to those who swear on canned made chili, the community is invited to vote on which Wexford Team Member’s recipe should hold the bragging rights for “the best chili ever.”  Along with sampling, all taste-testers will receive copies of recipes to try at home as they listen to live music performing in the café from local group Broke, Stranded & Ugly.

WHEN:          Saturday, January 12, 2013

                          12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:         Whole Foods Market | Wexford

10576 Perry Highway

Wexford, PA 15090

724.940.6100

I'm ready to indulge in mouthful after mouthful of steamy chili {even if the weather's supposed to warm up this weekend} at the new Whole Foods in Wexford.  However, I'm not sure about this band. With a name like that, what do they sing about?!

If you're going, join the Twitter conversation by following Whole Foods in Wexford @WFMWexford and me {if you haven't already!} @CristinAshley.  Tweet me pictures! 

Have a great weekend!

Cornbread-Topped Chili Con Carne & Chocolate Fondue

You've heard me talk about it. I've already told y'all to go download the recipe and get cooking.  Nigella Lawson's Cornbread-Topped Chili Con Carne is, in my mother's words, to die for. Now, the ingredients aren't anything to marvel over. Fairly standard for an outside-of-Texas chili. However, one thing Nigella adds in makes this chili incredible.

Cocoa.

{Nigella's Cornbread-Topped Chili Con Carne}*

Ingredients:

4 onions,  2 cloves garlic,  4 tablespoons olive oil,  2 teaspoons crushed chiles,  2 teaspoons ground coriander, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 5 cardamom pods,  2 red peppers, 1.5kg minced beef (We used ground turkey), 4 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes,  8 tablespoons tomato ketchup, 8 tablespoons tomato puree,  250ml water,  2 tablespoons cocoa, and 2 x 400g cans red kidney beans. 

*The rest of the recipe can be found in the link at the top of this post. 

• 
  
• Then, she puts cinnamon and honey in the cornbread topping! So smart, that Nigella! After following her directions, you should come out with something glorious like this!

Look at those crusty, cheesy bubbles!

 Then, plated, it looks like this lump of majesty. 

After eating way too much of the chili, we took a break before making our special dessert. I know you had been waiting for it, and here it is! We made chocolate fondue!

Ingredient display, Pioneer Woman Style.

 And yes, I chose to use Ghiradelli chocolate. Who can blame me?

We gathered the best of what we had for dipping.

Lightly salted pretzels.

Honeycrisp apple wedges.

Mini Marshmallows.

Graham Crackers.

...and Swiss Cake Rolls. You can't leave out Little Debbie!

 The 'hardware.'

 The setup. 

We toasted to the new year with Bailey's and whiskey-glass ice cubes.

What I Wore Today: Gift Hunting

Even though the holidays are almost over, January is a busy birthday month for Husband and I. The gifting isn't over yet! Husband was off work yesterday, so we took a trip to Wildcard. We were on a mission to find a happy belated birthday card, and other regular birthday cards.

Even though most of yinz* don't love my outfit posts, I'm going to continue them anyway! 

I'm snarky like that.

On Butler Street

Special thanks to Husband for taking these photos!

 Gift Hunting Outfit | Scarf: Gift | Coat: Espirit | Sweater: LOFT
Jeans: Banana Republic | Boots: Savers | Purse: Burberry

Tonight Michael and I are staying in to celebrate the coming of the new year, and cooking for ourselves. We're in the midst of making a somewhat healthy version of Nigella's Cornbread-topped Chili Con Carne. For dessert, I'm making a surprise! Stay tuned to see what it is!

*Note: "Yinz" is Pittsburgh slang (Pittsburghese) for 'you guys.' I don't think it will ever replace y'all!

She's Back in My Life!

Since we moved across country to PA, we signed up for a new cable provider. To my delight, we now have the Cooking Channel, another spin-off from Food Network (yet, somehow 'cleverly' disguised as hip and new). Prior to getting this new channel, I noticed that one of my favorite shows had been pushed to a late-night spot on the dial. Around 3:00am, this show would air, and I had to DVR it to catch it. Then, all of a sudden, it vanished completely. 

As I was flipping around the guide, I noticed the show had settled onto the Cooking Channel. It's still somewhat late-night, but it was there. 

Nigella Lawson has landed on the Cooking Channel, to my delight!

via vitellotonnatolover.wordpress.com

I have been recording every episode of Nigella Express and Nigella Feasts that graces the airwaves.

via thechive.com

As I was looking for THIS FABULOUS RECIPE I CAN'T WAIT TO MAKE, I learned that recently she has slimmed down. What is this? Nigella Lawson's weight loss journey?! The voluptuous dame has always been the icon for thicker girls around the world. Why would she ever want to change what she was given? I'm not sure, but I think she looks great either way.

via noskinnywomen.wordpress.com

(Forgive the terrible juxtaposition.)

via Blisstree.com

Husband agrees. Who wouldn't? She looks lovely in her bright yellow jacket with close-fitting black pants and boots. Sure, it's a slimming outfit, but she does look many pounds lighter.

via guardian.co.uk

For those of us on our own weight loss journey, this is somewhat confusing. Why wait until you're 50-something to slim down? I love her and her style, and I'm happy for her either way and at any weight!

Nigella!

Tidbit of the day:

Nigella has a new TV show! I will be DVRing every episode. She's my favorite.


http://www.foodnetwork.com/nigella-kitchen/index.html