Texas Deer Chili

Looking to add a touch of wild game to your chili repertoire this deer season? Look no further than this mouthwatering Deer Chili! Made from lean and tender cuts of high-quality deer meat, this rustic dish will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 ½ pounds venison, cut into cubes

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers

• 2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 2 (10.5 ounce) cans beef broth

• 2 teaspoons dried oregano

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 ½ teaspoons paprika

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook venison, onion and garlic in oil until meat is browned.

2. Transfer to a slow cooker and stir together with chiles, beans, broth oregano, cumin, salt and paprika.

3. Cook on medium 4 to 5 hours.

Autumn Pork Stew

Autumn is the perfect time for warm stews and cozy weekends. With cinnamon and nutmeg, this stew has all the fall flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons onion powder

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 ½ tablespoons seasoned salt

• 1 ½ tablespoons ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cubed

• 1 bunch spinach leaves, washed

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup butter

• 1 onion, thinly sliced

• 2 stalks chopped celery

• 1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

• 1 ½ cups beef broth

• 2 (28 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 (15 ounce) cans butter beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 yellow squash, sliced

• 1 zucchini, sliced

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Toss together the onion powder, parsley, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, seasoned salt, 1 1/2 tablespoons black pepper, marjoram, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large, resealable plastic bag. Add the cubed pork, toss until well coated, then seal, and refrigerate overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Line a 9x9 inch baking dish with half of the spinach leaves.

3. Pack the marinated pork into the baking dish, and cover with the remaining spinach leaves. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, and bake in the preheated oven for 3 hours, or until the pork is tender.

4. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until the flour has toasted. Scrape into a heatproof dish, and set aside. Melt the butter in the pot, and stir in the onions and celery. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the mushrooms, and cook until tender; stir the flour mixture back into the pot to coat the vegetables.

5. Pour in the beef broth, stewed tomatoes, cooked pork and spinach, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Simmer 1 1/2 hours.

6. Stir in the butter beans, yellow squash, and zucchini. Simmer 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Kale Soup

This kale soup will warm your insides, delight your taste buds, and fill your stomach on a cold winter night. It is full of dark green kale, potatoes, and cannellini beans.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic

• 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

• 8 cups water

• 6 white potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans (drained if desired)

• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

• 6 cubes vegetable bouillon (such as Knorr)

• 2 tablespoons dried parsley

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat.

2. Cook onion and garlic until soft, 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Stir in kale and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.

4. Stir in water, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, vegetable bouillon, parsley, and Italian seasoning.

5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are cooked through, about 25 minutes.

6. Season with salt and pepper.

Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup

This potato soup cooks in an Instant Pot® and is customizable with assorted toppings. I prefer to get my saltiness from the bacon, so I don't add extra salt. I also like a thicker chowder-like consistency; if you like yours thinner, add more liquid.

• 1 yellow onion, diced

• 4 thick slices cherrywood-smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped

• 1 cup water

• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic base (such as Better Than Bouillon® Roasted Garlic Base)

• 1 ½ cups half-and-half

• ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup sliced green onions

• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

• Step 1

  Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add onion, bacon, and butter to the hot pot and saute until bacon is crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Turn off Saute function and transfer contents to a small bowl.

• Step 2

  Add potatoes, water, and garlic base to pot and close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 12 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

• Step 3

  Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 15 minutes. Release remaining pressure carefully using the quick-release method, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Mash potatoes against the side of the pot, leaving some chunks if desired. Add onion-bacon mixture and half-and-half; stir to combine.

• Step 4

  Ladle into soup bowls and top with green onions, Cheddar cheese, and black pepper.

• 1 yellow onion, diced

• 4 thick slices cherrywood-smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped

• 1 cup water

• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic base (such as Better Than Bouillon® Roasted Garlic Base)

• 1 ½ cups half-and-half

• ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup sliced green onions

• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

• Step 1

  Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add onion, bacon, and butter to the hot pot and saute until bacon is crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Turn off Saute function and transfer contents to a small bowl.

• Step 2

  Add potatoes, water, and garlic base to pot and close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 12 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

• Step 3

  Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 15 minutes. Release remaining pressure carefully using the quick-release method, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Mash potatoes against the side of the pot, leaving some chunks if desired. Add onion-bacon mixture and half-and-half; stir to combine.

• Step 4

  Ladle into soup bowls and top with green onions, Cheddar cheese, and black pepper.

Quick Onion Soup

Photo by Adrienn87 form PxHere

Over the weekend I was watching a video on the Townsend’s YouTube Channel. They focus on 18th century life and cooking. What caught my eye was a recipe for onion soup. Of course, I didn’t have all of the ingredients, and I came up with my own seasoning mix. I think I created a pretty good modern take on a 200 year old onion soup that can be made in about 30 minutes using just a few ingredients.

Ingredients

• 2 Sweet Onions

• 4 Tablespoons of Butter

• 1 Teaspoon of Soy Sauce

• 1 Tablespoon of Bisquick

• 2 Cups of Water

• Marjoram

• Thyme

• Old Bay Seasoning

• Pepper to Taste

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat melt butter.

2. Slice onion into rings, add to pan, and cook until caramelized.

3. Add a pinch of marjoram, thyme, and Old Bay Seasoning.

4. Add Bisquick and stir until it is well incorporated, forming a roux.

5. Add soy sauce and water and bring to a boil while stirring. Soup will thicken.

6. Pepper to taste and serve with a crusty bread (optional).

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The Inspiration Video

Fire-Roasted Tomato and Pepper Soup

Tomato soup takes a trip south of the border. Fire-roasted tomatoes and roasted peppers capture the fresh taste of summer, all year long.

Ingredients

• 4 red or yellow bell peppers, seeded and halved

• 1 yellow banana pepper, seeded and halved

• 1 poblano pepper, seeded and halved

• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and halved

• 1 large onion, quartered

• 4 large garlic cloves, peeled

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 quart chicken broth

• 1 bunch cilantro, chopped, plus leaves for garnish

• 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon white sugar

• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 3 (14.5 ounce) cans Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes (like Hunt's®), undrained

• Salt to taste

Garnish:

• Crumbled Cotija cheese

• Cilantro leaves

• Lime wedges

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.

• Step 2

  Place peppers, onion and garlic on prepared pan; drizzle with olive oil. Roast in preheated oven until peppers are soft and slightly charred, about 20 minutes.

• Step 3

  Heat broth in a large soup pot. Add chopped cilantro, oregano, cumin, sugar, freshly ground pepper, and Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes. Bring to a simmer.

• Step 4

  Add roasted peppers, onions and garlic to the tomato mixture. Using a hand held immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Simmer over low heat until hot, about 10 minutes.

• Step 5

  Serve garnished with Cotija cheese, cilantro and drizzled with lime juice.