Grandma H's Tex Mex Chili
This is the real story behind this old family recipe. I was introduced to this recipe by my then boyfriend’s mom (who later became my Mother-in-law). This was a dish I first enjoyed on a New Year’s Eve before heading out for the evenings celebrations in the small town my husband grew up in. It was a yummy dish that did the job of making certain we’d had enough to eat before we enjoyed ‘a couple’ of glasses of champagne to ring in the New Year. And even better, it was just as yummy when we got home and wanted a quick snack before falling into bed in the wee morning hours of the New Year.
However, another way of looking at this recipe is that it could be the original ‘hamburger helper’. Long after enjoying this at my mother-in-laws home, the food industry invented this product called Hamburger Helper. And while I’ve never eaten this ‘manufactured’ Hamburger Helper, preferring to enjoy a ‘fully’ home cooked and created meal, I can’t imagine the processed stuff tastes nearly as yummy as this recipe. As for the convenience factor, when you read below you’ll discover this recipe is pretty darn convenient.
Bottom line - this is simple, quickly prepared and super yummy brought to all of us through the love of Grandma H.
Grandma H’s Tex Mex Chili
Special Note: This recipe makes a big batch, which is a real bonus because leftovers are just as good!
Ingredients:
2c chopped celery
2 large sweet onions
1lb ground beef (I use extra lean)
1 tin Campbell’s tomatoe soup
5 tbsp ketchup
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp chili powder
4 tsp curry powder
salt and pepper (to taste)
300gms macaroni
Instructions:
Chop celery and onions.
Saute until onions just begin to caramelize.
In a separate large pot, begin to boil water for macaroni.
Add ground beef and saute until just beginning to brown.
Add tomatoe soup, ketchup and juice of 1 lemon and continue to saute.
Simmer 15 minutes and then add chili and curry powder. Taste for salt and pepper seasoning. (Note: Every lemon is a little different. If the mixture is too bitter, add a touch of brown sugar.)
While simmering, add macaroni and cook until done. Drain water off cooked macaroni.
Add macaroni to meat mixture and toss to coat.
For serving - sometimes a little grated cheddar cheese is a lovely topping or a scoop or two of sour cream.
