Dish of the Week - Chilli Con Carne

As you may have guessed from the name of my blog, I'm no domestic goddess. I actually don't mind cooking when I give it a go, but I just can't seem to fit it in, and there are always a million things I'd rather be doing. I'm not a natural cook. My husband can concoct a lovely meal out of a few random things from the back of the cupboard. He's instinctive about cooking. I, on the other hand, am destructive. Sometimes toast is too much for me ("Mummeeeeeee! What are all the black bits?") 

So I am extremely grateful that despite my shortcomings in the kitchen, my children enjoy a healthy, varied, predominantly home cooked diet. At least Daddy can cook.

However...I am trying. Mr J works away a lot, and I need to be able to pull something other than pasta out of the bag. I'm going to cook a different meal every week and post the outcome (good or bad) on my blog.

First attempt...

Nana's Chilli Con Carne (serves 4)

Ingredients:

800g lean beef mince

1 tin chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 tin kidney beans

Beef stock cube

1 large onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

Lots of potatoes

Salt and pepper to season

Hot chilli powder

200g cheddar cheese, grated

Paprika

Parsley to garnish

1. Brown the mince over a medium heat. Remove and set aside.

2. Soften the onions in olive oil. Add the mince, the chopped tomatoes, the tomato puree and the green pepper.

3. Season with salt, pepper and a generous helping of chilli powder (depending on how spicy you want it!)

4. Add one pint of boiling water to beef stock cube, mix well and add.

5. Simmer over low heat, mixing occasionally. 

6. Peel and slice potatoes (thick slices), and boil them while meat is simmering.

7. Drain kidney beans and add. Mix well and continue simmering.

8. Preheat oven.

9. Drain potatoes and layer them over the top of the meat. 

10. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the potatoes. You should have a nice thick layer!

11. Sprinkle paprika over the top and pop pot in the oven. Wait for the cheese to melt, then remove and tuck in!