donuts, dresses and dirt

One Girl Cookies.

Where do I even begin, I love this place so, so much???

Okay, I’ll start at the beginning.

Mike’s cousin lives around the corner and took us there a few years ago. It was literally love at first sight – and bite.

The bakery itself is beyond charming – cute and cool, stylish and warm, all at the same time. Owner Dawn Casale is a former accessories manager for Barney’s, and her eye for detail is evident in the color palette, graphics, packaging, display and overall design of the store. Being there is like hanging out with the coolest, most fashionable girl in school, who turns out to be super nice and friendly too.

Am I gushing?

Wait, I haven’t even gotten to the good stuff.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while more than 5 minutes, you know that I love to bake. And WE love  to eat. So we’ve had our (ahem) “share” of sweet treats. And I can honestly say that One Girl Cookies’ are some of the best cupcakes, whoopie pies and cookies (yes, we sampled them all….) I’ve ever had. The fanciest? No. The most exotic? No. Perfectly executed? A mouth-full-of-cake “yes”.

So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that a cookbook was in the works. I waited patiently and it finally arrived just a few weeks ago. Have you ever taken a cookbook to bed with you? And read it from cover to cover? No? Well I did – and all the recipes were there. The whoopie pies. The cupcakes. The cookies.

And did I mention that there’s a great love story? With a happy ending (of course). It’s in the book too.

I’m doubly excited to be sharing One Girl Cookies with you now because I am about to start a new recipe series and her whoopie pies will be the very first feature.

Here’s a peek:

While you’re waiting, here’s what to do:

1. Get the book.

2. Go to the bakery (she has a second location too – right in DUMBO! Get a treat to-go and visit this).

3. Thank me (with a mouth-full-of-whoopie-pie, ideally).

http://www.onegirlcookies.com/

I’m so proud to be celebrating my blog’s first birthday today. Over the last few days I’ve re-read some of my earliest posts and am really pleased with how far I’ve come. I’ve added new features, improved my photography skills and shared parts of my life (and myself) that I never dreamed I would have put “out there”.

I also took a look at my “about” page. I hadn’t gone there in some time and I was curious: had I kept to the original goals that I had set for myself?

“I vowed to really give thought to what makes me happy,  how I like to spend my time, and what I’m most passionate about.”

I can honestly say that, overall, the answer is “yes”.

So what happens now?

Well,  for the most part I’ll continue to do what I’ve been doing , which is writing about the things I love – baking, cooking, gardening and “favorite finds“. I will continue sharing my adventures in parenting my three amazing children.  And I will be adding some new features too, that I’m very excited about (stay tuned….).

There will be other changes too. I will no longer be featuring a regular favor-”ette” Friday. Although it’s been fun doing this little weekly segment, it’s felt more like a chore of late, and definitely less spontaneous. Keeping to a weekly commitment started to sap some of the fun out of it, so I’m going to take a break. That said, I will always share a great find - whether it’s an “ette”, or something bigger. It just may be on a Tuesday.

I’m also coming to the end of the “Year in My Garden” series, and at a very poignant time in my career. About five years ago I was diagnosed with basal joint arthritis in my left hand. It has since spread to my right hand and gotten progressively worse.  I started intensive physical therapy this month, and  have been instructed to give up container plantings – the part of my business that I love the most. Fortunately, landscape design poses no stress on my hands so I can continue that facet of my work, but I have yet to fully accept the reality of this.

Ironically, the creation of this blog couldn’t have been more perfectly timed. I’m doing more baking than ever, which makes me so happy. And I can continue to write about gardening here, sharing knowledge and information with you. I’ve always believed that things happen for a reason, and I’m grateful that I’ve put this outlet in place at a time when there is definitely a void that needs to be filled.

But it’s become about so much more than just filling a void, in ways that I could have never anticipated when I started what I thought would be a very isolated, insular journey. In fact it’s been anything BUT that, and I am so very grateful to the people in my life – both old and new – who proved this to me.

The blogging community is – hands down – the nicest, most supportive, LEAST competitive group of professionals I’ve ever met. I have had many (many) careers in my life and this is the first time I have experienced such an overwhelming and complete sense of community, generosity and enthusiasm. We are truly all in this together, regardless of degree of success, experience, or size of readership. We rally for each other, answer questions willingly and thoughtfully, and “tweet”, “share”, “like” and “pin” the hell out of one another’s posts. This blows me away on a daily basis.

I also want to acknowledge and thank you, my readers. That you spend any of your precious time reading my posts – and writing such awesome, lovely comments – truly means the world to me. It validates that what I’m doing is possibly? Maybe? Kind of? Good. Ish. I’m grateful on a daily basis that you choose to join me here.

And finally, I would not be writing any of this – either today or over the past year – if it weren’t for my husband, Mike. A year ago I shared with Mike my need to make a major change in my life, but didn’t quite know what that meant, or how I should go about it. And he simply looked at me and said, “you work too hard and are too creative not to be happy. So figure out what makes you happy”.

And with that, a blog was born.

But he didn’t stop there.

He sat and spent HOURS figuring out things like domain names, WordPress templates and HootSuite. He bought me a camera so that I could improve the look of my pictures. He was, and still is, a great source of ideas and brainstorming as I navigate this still-new process. And he tells me how proud he is of me for building something from the ground up.

His support, wisdom and love allow me the freedom, confidence and peace of mind to pursue pretty much whatever it is that I want to do. It’s genuine, with no strings attached, and applies not only to the creation of this blog but to my day-to-day life with him.

Thank you Mike – for just about everything.

Year two?

Bring it!

I can’t believe I haven’t shared this with you yet.

What do you do when you come across a recipe for a sauce/stew/soup that includes this: “Simmer till reduced by half”?

Now maybe I’m a little neurotic/anal/clueless, but I used to stress over this. How do you know when it’s half? It’s not like there are markers on your stockpot or saucepan (ooh! invention!).

And then, years ago, I came across this great tip. All you need is a wooden spoon (which you probably have out anyway), and some kitchen twine.

Immerse the handle end into your pot till it hits the bottom. Tie a bit of twine around the edge between the wet and dry sections. Now you can periodically dip the handle back in and see when the liquid is down by half.

Simple, right? A wooden chopstick works just as well too.

I would LOVE to know what your favorite little-yet-big kitchen tips are; I’ll share them here!

Happy Friday!

Wondering what favor-“ette” means? Click here!

And he said it’s okay to tell you about him.

If you’ve been here for some time you may very well have thought that I only had two children. I do a lot with Noah and Chelsea and share much of it here. So I’ll get, on occasion, something like, “Oh? You have another son?”  If any of you live with – or HAVE lived with – a 15-year old-boy, I’m sure that this doesn’t surprise you.

Teenage boys are the polar opposites of their female counterparts.  See, life with a teenage girl is experienced in REAL TIME. Seriously. There isn’t a bad hair day, cruel taunt, or failed outfit that you don’t hear about loud and clear – as it’s happening, and typically accompanied by shrieks and tears. I seriously doubt that there was a moment during Chelsea’s adolescence that I wasn’t on intimate terms with. And I wouldn’t have traded a minute of it. Yes, it was often exhausting, but I was grateful that she chose to share it all with me. It gave me the opportunity to comfort her (as best as I could), and to forge a close bond that still exists today. I never had to wonder if she was having a good day or a bad day, as I was getting a minute-by-minute account.

But the boys? To say they “fly under the radar” is an understatement. I can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened, but one day Conor was just GONE. Not physically – laundry, meals and requests for allowance were proof that he still lived with us. But he now passed on most family outings. On the weekends he would sleep till mid-afternoon, only to slip out upon awakening to be with his friends.  The door to his room entered  a state of permanent SHUT. And conversations dwindled to almost nothing.  He was still sweet and respectful, kept his room neat and orderly and did his schoolwork and chores (usually) without fuss.

He was just GONE.

So I understood why people I had just recently met thought I only had a daughter in college and a toddler. And for the most part I found this pretty amusing.

Till recently.

I was having coffee with a new friend when I got the usual – “Oh? You have another son?”

But it was followed by – “Does he live with you?”

And that struck a nerve. Around this same time my mom asked me if I thought that Conor was upset that I rarely mentioned him in my blog. To which I replied, “Well he’d have to READ my blog to know that.” And I was only half-joking.

But I couldn’t shake the thought that I should maybe address this with Conor. So I asked him if it bothered him that I didn’t write about him. And he told me that it didn’t bother him at all. Which I kind of expected. What I DIDN’T expect was what followed:

“But it would be okay with me if you wanted to. Oh, and make it with a recipe”.  Or something like that.

So now I had permission. And after some conversation, the appropriate recipe too. So all I had to do was write about my Conor.

Right. Write.

I’ve had his “permission” to write this post for months now. And while it would seem like a piece of cake, you know – no biggie – to write about my eldest son, I couldn’t do it. I’d sit down, ready to go, and think of any other post that I could share, that NEEDED to be shared first.

But now it’s time. And I’m already choked up.

My Conor has been that child, from the day he was born, who chokes me up.  Is there a person who reaches you in a deep, deep place that no one else can? It can be a spouse, a friend, or a parent, but it’s a feeling that evokes the most raw, intense emotions. A combination of fierce strength along with immense vulnerablity. That’s my Conor.

Conor was a stunning toddler. He had the kind of looks that stopped people in  stores, restaurants and just walking down the street.  And whenever I got the typical, “Oh my god – those eyes/lashes/looks” – I would smile and say – “And he’s just as beautiful on the inside.” And I wasn’t just being polite.

Conor – from a very young age – revealed a mind, a spirit and a personality that was – and still is – the most creative, inventive and brilliantly talented that I’ve ever met. He is a gifted artist, an amazing writer and possesses a sweet and moral core that makes me STILL want to wrap him up in gauze and keep him safe from the rest of the world.

Which was pretty easy to do for the first few years. But as he got older I realized that the rest of the world – teachers, peers, camp counselors – would continually try to impose their expectations – their definition of “right” on Conor. And I would have to step up and explain – over and over again – that his uniqueness – his “out of the box” perspective was to be celebrated, not discouraged. I was often asked if I had ever considered an alternative, more “artsy” school for him. But I have always felt strongly that as long as Conor was thriving in public school, then that’s where he should be. Learning how to navigate the “real world” would hold him in good stead when, as an adult, he’d have to present his fabulous ideas to a room full of conventional thinkers. What good would I be doing to put him in a bubble for 12 years?

Again, as long as he was thriving. Which he was, for the most part. We lucked out with some incredible teachers who totally “got” him, and we provided outlets for his creativity after school, on weekends and during the summer. He had a great group of friends – a mix of kids with interests ranging from sports to art to skateboarding, who (at the lunch table anyway) – came together and  wholly accepted one another. This was critical for Conor, who had no end of self-esteem but, like most of us, sought out and appreciated recognition from his peers.

Was it always easy? No. Middle school arrived, and instead of one teacher, all day, who could (if needed) be “worked with” over the year, we now had 8 teachers, for 43 minutes at a clip, who had no time or inclination to try and “get” my son. There were a few exceptions, to be sure, and it was no surprise that those were the classes where he performed at his best.

And watching the travails of being an adolescent boy makes me realize –without question – that it is, for the most part, way harder than being a teenage girl. Boys have to be tough, cool and confident. They need to be totally self-assured and broadcast this with great skill. They can NEVER cry, and there is no “talking things out” with friends during difficult times.

So what do I do as his mom? I walk that tightrope that we all do with our kids during these fraught years. I try to be accessible without prying, loving without being “awkward”, respectful of his privacy while knowing that there are questions and conversations that cannot be avoided. No matter how hard. Rather than have him take the train into the city for his Saturday art class, I drive him in. That magic “safe zone” of the car is where I can listen to his music, hear what he’s thinking about and ask him (a few) questions.

I try to give him his space, hug him whenever I feel like it (which is a lot) and tell myself, over and over, that he’ll be back. That he’s not really “gone” gone.

Oh, and I also try to make his favorite meals as often as possible. Like this one. It started as an appetizer but he loves it so much that one day he asked for it for dinner. Which is how it should be served – of course. He always has the best ideas. When he decides to share them.

I love my Conor so much. So much that it can never be properly shared or expressed. Even in 1500 words. This may be my longest post to date and if you’ve made it this far, I thank you. Are you the parent of a teenage boy too?

Does he have this effect on you?

Anyway, it had to be this long. I don’t know that I’ll get this chance again.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp with Garlic Dipping Sauce
adapted from Gourmet

6 appetizer servings – as a main course count on 5-7 shrimps per person

18 thin slices imported prosciutto
18 fresh basil leaves
18 extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
2 T. Dijon mustard
1 T. chopped garlic
1 c. olive oil

Place one prosciutto slice on your work surface, short end parallel to the edge. Place a basil leaf at one short end of the prosciutto slice. Place one shrimp atop the basil leaf. Roll the shrimp and basil in the prosciutto. Repeat with remaining prosciutto, basil and shrimp. Transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate.)

Preheat broiler. Combine vinegar, mustard and garlic in a blender or food processor. Gradually add oil; blend well. Transfer to a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Broil shrimp until opaque in center, turning every 2 minutes for a total of 6 minutes. Transfer to a  serving platter. Serve hot or at room temperature with sauce.

I had mixed feelings about taking Noah to the Maurizio Cattelan “All” retrospective at the Guggenheim, but I was frankly dying to see it. The exhibit was comprised of 128 pieces, suspended by cables in the museum’s rotunda. The idea behind this unusual presentation was to “upend the ordered hierarchies and conventional viewing conditions of the museum retrospective by suspending … [the] entire body of work in  a disorienting, seemingly haphazard mass.”

Right – but what about the Hitler piece, images of death and nude female torsos?

I rationalized decided that most of the graphic symbolism would go over Noah’s head, and that it would probably be fine. Plus, it was the Guggenheim - my hands-down favorite museum in all of New York. We were going.

It was SO cool.

The impact of seeing all of the artist’s pieces hanging in the center of the museum cannot be properly captured in these pictures (especially while minding a moving toddler). And it only got better. As I always do when I visit the Guggenheim, I take the elevator to the top and then walk down the spiral ramp to the bottom. This was especially meaningful to the exhibit’s experience as you viewed the pieces from different perspectives as you made your way around and down.

Ironically, there were a ton of school kids there that day, drawing in their sketchbooks and eagerly taking in the visual cacophony with obvious excitement.

And Noah? He loved it. His favorites were the “headless” horse (“where its head Mommy?”), the big “Z”s (boy LOVES to announce his letters) and the dinosaur skeleton.

And of course, the ramps.

We went up to the top and down again three full times and I loved watching him ”spy” something new on each trip.

I am often asked how I schlep a young child in to the city for various shows and exhibits, without losing my mind or experiencing multiple meltdowns.

Truthfully? It wasn’t always this way, especially when Chelsea and Conor were little. I made lots of mistakes but acquired some tips along the way that I can share with you here:

Do your homework – I always try to read up on any exhibit prior to going. It’s helpful to understand the scope of the exhibit, along with special hours, “kid-friendly” talks or activities, etc. If it’s a large exhibit I try to hone in on pieces I think will be of particular interest and find those first, in case things don’t “pan out” all that well. Which leads to the next tip:

Manage your expectations – Pre-kids, I was accustomed to spending hours and hours leisurely making my way through museums and galleries. This is unlikely to happen with little ones in tow. Prepare to spend no more than one hour with very small children, and consider that a success. Take a lunch or snack break and if they’re up for more, great. If not, don’t push. An hour with a toddler is about all they can manage and you can be sure that they got something out of the experience. That said, if you are sensing that they are completely disengaged and uninterested, be prepared to call it quits. You tried, and that’s a good thing.

Be selfish -  If there is a show that YOU want to experience fully – with no distractions or interruptions – do not bring your toddler, if at all possible. Leave him with your spouse, a grandparent or a sitter. You’ll both be happier for it.

Exit through the gift shop – I always try to purchase a small memento of our trip. If there was a particular piece that my child enjoyed I look for something in the gift shop that relates. It can be something small and inexpensive – a magnet or a postcard – but it helps him remember what he saw, and we can talk about it later or show Daddy. In the case of the “headless horse” that Noah liked so much, I could not find anything at the museum shop. So when we got home I did an image search on-line, found a picture and printed it out. Cost? Nothing.

Start with YOU – Art and design are passions of mine. There was no way I was going to stop enjoying those pursuits just because I had kids. And I know that the secret to the success of any outing is my own genuine enthusiasm. So if art isn’t your “thing”, don’t push it. Maybe there’s a friend who takes her kids and would be willing to take yours too. Or a grandparent or uncle. When I’m excited about an activity it’s much easier to get Noah jazzed about it. Conversely, if you’re dragging your feet at the prospect of touring a museum or gallery, your kids will definitely pick up on it. Not great for either one of you.

Oh – and he totally didn’t notice the naked torsos.

Whew.

http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/exhibitions/past/exhibit/3961

We are really tough on our things.

And I’m not just talking about the kids. Well, okay, I’m not talking at ALL about Mike. It’s me. And the kids. AND the dog. WE’RE tough on our things. We drip, we spill, we drop. Remember the ape from that 1970′s American Tourister luggage commercial? That’s us (again, NOT Mike.).

So it’s essential that everything we purchase is sturdy, durable and most importantly – easy to clean.

But I also want things that are well-designed and look great too.

Cue Chilewich.

Sandy Chilewich founded Hue hosiery and then went on to develop the iconic “Ray” line of bowls, boxes and trays. She now heads up her namesake company, which brilliantly weaves vinyl material into stylish, functional and VERY durable placemats, floor mats and other home accessories.

We have several of her placemats and floor mats and they always get lots of compliments – especially the acid green, ovoid-shaped mat in the powder room.

They hold up exceptionally well, and have remained stain-free and intact for years now.

My next Chilewich? I think this:

photo credit: chilewich.com

Or maybe this:

photo credit: chilewich.com

And possibly this:

photo credit: chilewich.com

Happy Friday!

Wondering what favor-”ette” means? Click here!

http://chilewich.com/

In my “Super Bowl” post last week I hinted at a great recipe for using your leftover chili, and have received several requests to “just post it already!”.

So here it is.

But first, some blove.**

How Sweet It Is is one of my very favorite food blogs. Jessica’s writing is laugh-out-loud hilarious, her photography is drool-worthy and her recipes are creative, easy to execute and delicious. The kind of delicious that will make you leap up from your computer to see if you have the ingredients to make whatever she’s cooking/baking/serving RIGHT NOW.

I’ve shared several of her recipes with you, and this is my latest fave. It essentially uses all of the same components from the chili and corn bread post, just baked together and with the addition of some pasta at the bottom of the pan.

So why, then, is it so much more insanely delicious this way?

I have no idea. It just is.

If you haven’t yet discovered How Sweet It Is, take a look.

Just promise you’ll come back, please???

Chili, Corn Bread and Pasta Bake
from How Sweet It Is

1 1/2 c. uncooked whole wheat macaroni
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 1/2 – 3 c. leftover chili
1 batch corn bread batter, unbaked

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 baking pan with a non-stick cooking spray (such as Pam).

Prepare pasta according to directions, cooking for 1-2 minutes less than the suggested time. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the corn bread batter.

Drain pasta and spread evenly on the bottom of the pan. Top with the cheese, followed by the chili. Finish by spreading the corn bread batter evenly over the top, spreading with a spoon or spatula.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until cornbread is golden brown and cooked throughout (a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean). Serve immediately.

What is ”blove” you ask? Click it to find out!

Chelsea came home this week after spending a month studying in Paris. She had a few days before going back to school so I wanted to plan some special outings with her. It’s kind of hard completely impossible to top Paris, but I knew she’d enjoy spending time in the city. So I got out ”the list”.

Have I told you about the list? It’s a running list that I keep of things to do/eat/see in and around New York. A quick glance and I knew just how we’d spend her first day back. I chose two spots in the West Village – one of our favorite neighborhoods. They had been on the list for close to a year but we somehow never got around to them before she returned to school in the fall. The fact that they both had a decidedly European feel sealed the deal.

Our first stop was to Sockerbit – a completely charming little shop run by the nicest young couple. Sockerbit (meaning, literally “sugar cube”) is all things sweet and Scandinavian.

The decor is all-white, clean and minimalist, designed to provide the perfect background to the bins of colorful candy. And, oh, the candy! I’ve written before about my “sweet tooth“, and this was a little bit of heaven for me. Chelsea and I quickly got to work, filling our bags with a delicious assortment of the most adorable gummies, marshmallows and licorice.

We chatted with one of the owners who took pride in telling us that all of the candies are made without trans fats, artificial colors or corn syrup. And while I wouldn’t call it health food, it was certainly a step up in quality from the gummies and belts that I usually eat.

And they have a sense of humor too.

Sockerbit, you’ve spoiled me forever (can you tell I’m totally smitten with this place??)…………..

Next, we visited Buvette – possibly the most perfect little French eatery you could ever imagine. The literal translation of buvette is “refreshment stall”, but I much prefer chef Jody Williams’ vision for her restaurant. She calls it a “gastroteque,” a place for “your early-morning coffee, your luncheonette, your stand-up, sit-down dinner.”

Having read about Buvette for many months now, I knew that it would likely be crowded on a weekend evening. But I had a feeling that during a late-morning, mid-week, we’d have the place (somewhat) to ourselves. And I was right. Which was doubly great because the lack of crowds made it easier to take in all of the lovely little details.

Buvette is small – tiny – and Chelsea and I loved how it made you feel cozy and warm as you sat, munching on delicious bread while you waited for your meal. We each had a salad and I have not stopped thinking about mine (or how I  hope to duplicate it) since. It was a simple salad composed of three ingredients – shredded Brussels sprouts, grated Asiago cheese and walnuts – in a light vinaigrette. I practically licked the bowl.

It once again confirmed my belief that the very best food is hardly ever the fanciest, or fussiest, or most complex. But rather a simple plate – beautifully arranged and using the very best ingredients – can be the most satisfying there is.

We finished our day at Chelsea’s beloved trio of Marc Jacobs stores – my favorite of the three is Bookmarc, where I’m always so impressed with the outstanding selection of books on display.

Okay, so it wasn’t Paris.

But it was très bon indeed.

Sockerbit
https://www.sockerbit.com/

Buvette
http://www.ilovebuvette.com/

Bookmarc
http://www.marcjacobs.com/gifts-and-special-items/bookmarc/

I garden.

I bake.

I have a toddler.

Basically, if my hands could sever themselves from my body, they would. That’s how abused they are.

Needless to say, winter and my hands are not besties either. So I’ve spent years looking for the “perfect” hand cream. For me, that means the following:

It has to be really (REALLY) moisturizing.

It has to penetrate immediately (I HATE greasy hands. Hate ‘em).

It has to smell heavenly, without being too over-powering.

And it has to have a price point that allows me to keep myself fully stocked all year round.

Well, hello!

People, this is the best hand cream out there. It’s all of the above, with the extra-added bonus of coming in an attractive package that makes it a great gift too.

A  5-ounce tube is less than $30 - which sounds high but you use so little that it lasts a really long time. It also comes in a “handy” (wink-wink!) travel size for a neat $10 so you can keep a tube almost anywhere – your purse, car, nightstand, kitchen drawer, etc.

Done!

Happy Friday!

Wondering what favor-”ette” means? Click here!

L’OCCITANE Shea Hand Cream , 5.2-Ounce Tube

Well apparently it’s the law that if you write a food blog you have to post a Super Bowl-themed recipe this week.

Here’s the thing: I could care less about football.

However – I DO make a mean chili, so why not share it with you now? It’s got homemade corn bread and everything!

I’ve been serving up this chili for Super Bowl (and other) Sundays for many years. It’s a not-too-spicy, kid-friendly version, and very adaptable. You can use whatever type of beans you like and it works just as beautifully with ground chicken or turkey.

Even better? I recently came across a recipe that turns the leftover chili  into a main dish that just may be one of my favorite meals EVER. For reals. Stay tuned.

So there you have it – my first (and probably last) Super Bowl post. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go see if there’s an “Arrested Development” marathon on this Sunday…….

“Touchdown” Chili and “End Zone” Corn Bread**
adapted from The New Good Housekeeping Cookbook

For the chili:
2 lbs. ground beef
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 large garlic clove, chopped
1/3 c. chili powder (more or less, depending on how spicy you like it – I usually halve it for my family)
2 15-19 oz. cans red kidney beans drained, liquid reserved
28 oz. crushed tomatoes in their juice
6 oz. can tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 t. salt
1 t. sugar

For the corn bread:
1 c. (4 oz.) flour
3/4 c. (3 oz.) cornmeal
3 T. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 t. salt
6 T. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 egg, lightly beaten
2/3 c. milk

Accompaniments:
Chopped cilantro
Shredded cheddar
Tortilla or corn chips
Tabasco or other hot sauce

In a 5-quart Dutch oven (or other large pot), combine the beef, pepper, onion and garlic. Saute over high heat, stirring often, until the beef is completely browned (no pink visible) and the cooking liquid is almost evaporated. Add the chili powder and stir for 1 minute. Add the liquid from the beans along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, salt and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and continue cooking for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add reserved beans and cook for 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve with cornbread and accompaniments (can be made 1-2 days ahead. Cool completely, cover and refrigerate. Reheat prior to serving).

While chili is cooking, prepare cornbread:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease an 8” x 8” pan. In a small bowl whisk dry ingredients together. In another bowl whisk beaten egg, milk and butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients till just incorporated (mixture will be lumpy). Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cut into 9 squares and serve warm or at room temperature (can be made ahead and frozen – defrost at room temperature prior to serving, re-warming in the oven if you like).

** official football terms found here.