Monica's chilli

1 lb  lean ground beef

1  small onion chopped fine

1  28 oz can crushed tomatoes

2  15 0z cans small red beans (I like western family brand), drained and rinsed

salt and pepper, to taste

Garlic (I add it whole and then take it out)

Chilli powder (I add to taste, about 1 TB)

2 tsp ground cumin (optional)

1 (4 oz) can of diced green chiles

Tomato juice or v8

Brown the meat and onions then add tomatoes, beans, salt and pepper, Garlic, green chilies, chili powder and cumin. Cook for 30 minutes to an hour.  If it gets too thick add tomato juice to thin it out (maybe 2 cans).

Sprinkle with sharp cheddar cheese and fritos corn chips

Stromboli

1 LOAF OF BREAD DOUGH this may be frozen dough thawed and raised, your own recipe or the following:
1 pkg active dry yeast 2 Tbsp oil
1-cup warm water 1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar 2 ½ - 3 ½ cups flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water
Stir in sugar, oil, salt and 1-cup flour. Beat until smooth.
Mix enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.
Knead on floured surface (or with bread mixer) until smooth and elastic. (About 5 minutes)
Place in a greased bowl, turn greased side up. Cover and let rise until almost double in bulk (30-60 minutes).

TO MAKE STROMBOLI:
½ lb. Sliced ham ¾ cup grated moz. cheese
4-8 oz. Sliced pepperoni ¾ cup grated parm. cheese
¾ cup grated cheddar cheese *Basil, Oregano, Parsley,
Garlic Power, Chives,
Green Onions (optional)

Punch down bread dough and roll into 9x13” rectangle.
Place a layer of ham, lengthwise in the middle of the dough, top with cheddar cheese, then a layer of pepperoni, then mozzarella, another layer of ham and the Parmesan cheese. (Additional parmesan, herbs and chives may be sprinkled on the cheese layers)
Cut 8 even strips of the bread on both sides of the meat layer.
Starting at end, alternately fold the bread strips over the filling. Place on greased pan.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and garlic powder on top. Let rest 15 minutes.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Slice and serve with Spaghetti sauce for dipping.


OTHER FILLING IDEAS:
* 2 T onions, ¾ lb. Ital. Sausage, 10 oz. Frozen spinach, 2 cup moz.
* 10 oz. Spinach, 3 oz. Cream cheese, cup cottage cheese, 1 egg, 4 oz Feta cheese, ¼ tsp garlic
* 4 cloves garlic, 1 red onion, 1 cup fresh spinach, 1 tomato, 1 cup mozzarella, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp basil
* Cooked broccoli, provolone, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian sausage
* 1 lb. Ricotta ham, ¼ cup Romano, ¼ Parmesan, 2 eggs, 2 T parsley, 1 clove garlic
* 4 chicken breasts chopped and cooked with 1 onion and 2 cloves garlic, add to 20 oz. frozen, thawed and drained spinach, 1 cup cheddar, 1 cup Parmesan, cup olives, ¼ cup pimentos.


NOTE: All meat fillings must be cooked prior to using.