SIMPLE & SAUCY CHILI

1 lb. ground beef (I used home-canned beef from storage)

1 onion, chopped (can use dehydrated)

1 tsp. oil

15 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 (10 3/4 oz. ) can tomato soup (I like the chili even saucier so I added an additional can of soup and half can of water)

1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

salt to taste

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. dried cumin

1/2 tsp. chili powder

Brown ground beef and onion together in oil; drain.  Add remaining ingredients and warm through.  Served with warm corn muffins, this makes a comfort-food meal!

In addition to storing dried beans, I like to store dehydrated refried beans.  It is the fast-track to restaurant-style beans perfect for burritos or chip-dipping.  The thing I love about dehydrated beans is that you can easily alter their consistency.  I love runny refried beans (especially served with spanish rice!).  They make a fun, late-night nacho snack.  The picture above shows some from Alison’s Pantry that come in two varieties, one is smooth and the other includes some whole beans in the mix.  The other benefits of dehydrated beans are that they are pre-seasoned, and they only require water.  Super convenient!