SMALL MASON JARS FOR SPICES RECIPES

Steps:

• Just layer the spices into a small baby food or mason jar (or ziploc baggy). No need to mix but make sure to label it. I make 6-8 jars at a time.
• To make chili brown 1 pound ground meat of choice (generally beef or pork). Chop extra veggies to make it really special. 1 each of onion and green pepper plus about 6 mushrooms. Cook fresh vegetables with meat for about 5-8 minutes or until soft before adding addtional ingredients. Add one15-ounce can tomato sauce (not spaghetti sauce) and one 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes and jar of spice mixture. Choose 2 different cans of beans or 1 can of beans and 2 cups of corn. Mix everything together and cook on medium low until it starts to simmer. Turn down to low (lid off) and let simmer for about 1 hour (watch the pot carefully because this can burn easily if it is kept on too hot an element). The chili is edible then but it does benefit from additional simmering time if possible. It tastes even better the next day!
• It is also a good candidate for the slow cooker if you prefer. 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low (make sure to brown ground meat and vegetables before adding rest of ingredients to slow cooker). Serve in a bowl with or without cheese or serve over a baked potato or corn muffin with cheese on top. Yummy! This also freezes well.