Chili (Betty Crocker's Cooking Basics)

Ingredients:

1 large onion
2 cloves garlic
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 tablespoons fresh chopped or 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon  salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper sauce
1 can (16 ounces) whole tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 to 16 ounces) red kidney beans, undrained

Directions:

1. Peel and chop the onion. Peel and crush the garlic
2. Cook the beef, onion and garlic in the saucepan over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes stirring occasionally until beef is brown; drain.
3. Stir in the chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper sauce and tomatoes with their liquid breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon or fork.
4. Heat the mixture to boiling over high heat. Once mixture is boiling, reduce heat just enough so mixture bubbles gently. Cover and cook 1 hour stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in the beans with their liquid. Heat to boiling over high heat. Once mixture is boiling, reduce heat just enough so mixture bubbles gently. Cook uncovered about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until desired thickness.

South-of-the-Border Wraps (Betty Crocker's Cooking Basics)

Ingredients:

1 can (8 ounces) kidney beans
1 can (8 ounces) whole kernel corn
1 small bell pepper
1/2 cup chunky-style salsa
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
4 flour tortillas (8 to 10 inches in diameter)
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
1 can chunk chicken breast (I added this into the recipe)

Directions:

Drain the kidney beans in a strainer, rinse with cool water and place in a bowl. Drain the corn in a strainer.
Cut the bell pepper lengthwise in half, and cut out seeds and membrane. Chop enough of the bell pepper to measure 1/4 cup. Wrap and refrigerate any remaining bell pepper.
Mix the beans, corn, bell pepper, salsa and cilantro.
Place the tortillas on a clean counter or on waxed paper. Spread about 1/2 cup of the bean mixture over each tortilla within 1 inch of the edge. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cheese over each tortilla.
Fold opposite sides of each tortilla up toward the center about 1 inch over the filling-the sides will not meet in the center. Roll up tortilla, beginning at one of the open ends. Place wraps, seam sides down, in the microwavable dish.
Microwave uncovered on High 1 minute. Rotate dish 1/4 turn. Microwave 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds longer.

Smore's Hot Chocolate (Our Best Bites)

This recipe was originated from the Our Best Bites: Savoring the Seasons cookbook, but I tweaked it a little so I will put both!

Our Best Bites

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter melted
2 graham crackers crushed
2 (4 oz) milk chocolate bars
4 cups whole milk
8-12 large marshmallows
chocolate syrup

Directions:

Place melted butter in a small, shallow dish that is a little larger than the rim of your mug. Place crushed graham crackers in another dish of the same size. Flip mugs upside-down and dip the rims first in melted butter and then in the crushed graham crackers.
Break the chocolate into pieces and place one-half bar in each of the four mugs. Heat milk to a simmer and carefully pour one cup into each mug over the chocolate. Set aside,
Place marshmallows on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place under the broiler on low heat. Watch constantly and turn marshmallows after one side is toasted and browned. Broil until remaining side is toasted then remove from oven.
Stir hot milk mixture to distribute melted chocolate. Top each mug with 2-3 toasted marshmallows and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

My Version

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 graham crackers, crushed
4 packets of hot chocolate mix of your choice (I used Swiss Miss)
4 cups milk
8 large marshmallows

Directions:

Place the butter and graham crackers in separate bowls wide enough to fit the rim of your mug. Dip the rim of each mug first in the melted butter then in the graham crackers. Pour your hot chocolate mix into your mug. Follow the heating directions on the packets for your milk (if it calls for less or more than the 1 cup then feel free to increase or decrease it). Pour hot milk over the hot chocolate mix and stir. Toast marshmallows any way you please (I toasted mine with a fork over the flames of my gas stove :) ). Top your hot chocolate with marshmallows and enjoy!