Sweet Bajio Rice

Kids rating: 5 stars
My rating: 5 stars

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ white onion, chopped
• about ¼ of a bunch of cilantro, chopped
• ⅔ cup white rice
• 1½ cups chicken broth*
• ¼ cup white sugar

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine chicken broth and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves.
2. Put oil and onions into a sauce pan, and cook until the onions are cooked through.
3. Add cilantro and saute for a minute or two more.
4. Add uncooked rice until it starts to brown.
5. Stir chicken broth/sugar into sauce pan.
6. Bring to a boil.
7. Cover and let cook on a low temperature until rice is done (about 25 minutes.)

If making in the Instant Pot, use 1 cup rice (rinsed) and 1 1/4 cups chicken broth. Set to manual, low pressure, for 7 minutes and let natural release for 10 minutes.

Chili

My rating: 5 stars

Kids rating: 5 stars

I've been on the hunt for a good chili recipe for a loooong time. Obviously, to each their own and all that, but this chili hits the spot for our family. Drew's review: It's so good, I can eat it with my eyes closed! Which is the greatest compliment Drew can give, because he's quite picky and usually has to pick around bites that he doesn't like. That kid. 

We are not bean lovers, and the recipe calls for 3 cans of beans. I only put in 1. It was a little on the runny side because of that. Maybe next time, I'll try 2 cans, or maybe I'll reduce the broth. Either way, it's the flavor that really makes this chili. I mean, there's chocolate in there, for goodness sakes.

Cocoa Bean Chili

yield 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
• 2.5 cups beef broth or stock
• 3 15-ounce cans small white beans, rinsed & drained

Toppings:

• Cheddar cheese
• Sour cream

Instructions

Heat oil in heavy pot over medium heat. Add onions; sauté until tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add coriander and cumin; stir 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high. Add turkey; breaking up with back of spoon, brown until no longer pink. Stir in chili powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon and salt. Add tomatoes and stir in tomato sauce and beef stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add beans to chili and simmer until flavors blend, about 10 minutes longer. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium-low heat before continuing.)

Ladle chili into bowls. Serve with toppings.