Healthy Chili

Not only do I love chili, but I also find it quite filling even when I eat only a little. So its good if you are trying to watch your food intake. Everyone has their preferences as to what their chili should taste like, but this is the healthiest one I have come across. Please feel free to alter is according to your taste.

Serves:4

Calories: About 300 or so for 1 and a half cup of chili.

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

400 grams lean ground beef/chicken/turkey

1 can crushed tomatoes

4 oz tomato sauce

2 cans red kidney beans

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp chili powder

1-2 tsp cumin powder

salt, to taste

1/2 sachet taco/chili seasoning (optional)

Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, till soft and golden. Add the meat and taco seasoning (if using) and saute for a few minutes till brown. Add the kidney beans and cook on medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, cayenne pepper, chili powder and cumin. Cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes (or longer if you have more time).

Serving suggestions: Serve with chopped onions, shredded cheddar cheese and green chilies in vinegar. A fun way to serve it to children is to make a "chili dog" station. Line up hot dog buns, hot dogs, chili, ketchup, mustard, shredded cheddar cheese, onions (and anything else they like) and let them build their own dogs. In fact, I have done this for football (or other sports) parties for adults and they love it as much as the kids!

Skirt Steak With Scallions

This is one of my all time favorite recipes because, not only does it taste good, it doesn't require much effort at all. I have served it for brunch, lunch and dinner and it goes well with a Pakistani menu as well as other cuisines. Make it once and I guarantee you that you will be making it over and over again.

Makes: 2-4 servings

Ingredients

500 grams skirt steak (or 'pasandas'), pounded thin and cut into 4-inch wide pieces

500 grams scallions/green onions, thinly sliced

6-8 whole green chillies

3-4 tbsp olive oil

salt, to taste

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp cumin, roasted and ground/powder

water (IF needed)

Heat oil and put in the steak meat along with the onions, half the green chillies and salt and cook on medium-low to low heat till completely soft and done. Add a little water (about 1/4 cup) if too dry. Add the remaining green chillies, lemon juice and cumin and let it remain on very very low heat for 15-20 minutes. Serve.

PS-I have not forgotten to add garlic to the ingredients. Believe it or not, it does not require garlic. Don't be scared, the meat won't stink as long as its good quality and not too old. If you really don't trust me, then go ahead, add 1/2 a teaspoon! :)