By Kelly Bogard

From a very young age, I remember spending most of my free time in the kitchen.  Whether it was prepping stuff for my mom or helping my dad cook breakfast, I have very fond memories of growing up with food.

My first attempts to cook on my own started with a kid’s microwave cookbook.  Yep, microwave cooking was all the rage in the 1980s.  My favorite recipe was for Kid Friendly Chili.  Easy to prepare in the microwave, it was sure to be a hit. What I didn’t know was how big of a hit it was going to be.

Over the years, “Kid Friendly Chili” has morphed into something completely different.  I no longer use the microwave to cook it, and I’ve added and removed things so many times that I don’t even remember the original ingredients.  Everything is based on the original recipe, though. Now I call it “Two” Good Chili, and my family still loves it.

For “Two” Good Chili, you will need…Two Good Chili
2 lbs. lean ground beef, browned (I use 85 percent lean)
2 (12-15 oz.) cans tomato soup
2 (15 oz.) cans Ranch Style beans
2 packages of your favorite chili seasoning
2 cups water

As you can probably see, there is a pattern with this recipe. Everything is in twos. This is to ensure optimal flavor while making the recipe easy to remember. Plus, cutting everything back to one doesn’t leave you any leftovers.

First things, first. Combine your tomato soup and beans in a large stock pot. I use my slow cooker for this recipe,  as well, so I can keep it warm during football games and such.
Two Good Chili

Then add your browned ground beef. I usually season the meat with a little garlic salt while browning to enhance its flavor.
Two Good Chili

Finally, add the seasoning packets and water. Allow to simmer for about thirty minutes. Serve with warm cornbread or crackers.
Two Good Chili

This is one of the easier recipes I ever learned, yet it is one of my favorites. My family asks for it at least two to three times each winter, and with Halloween right around the corner, it seems like the perfect meal for hungry little ghosts and goblins.

Here’s hoping you have a treat of a time this Halloween. From all of us at Texas Table Top, enjoy!

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Recipe: ‘Two’ Good Chili

Summary: Warm, rich, hearty flavors to warm your family

Two Good Chili

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. lean ground beef, browned (I use 85 percent lean)
  • 2 (12-15 oz.) cans tomato soup
  • 2 (15 oz.) cans Ranch Style beans
  • 2 packages of your favorite chili seasoning
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Combine tomato soup and beans in a large stock pot.
  • Stir in browned meat.
  • Add the chili seasoning packets and water to the mixture.
  • Let simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Serve warm with cornbread or crackers.

Cooking time (duration): 45 minutes

Number of servings (yield): 6-8

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