Today, it was back to the kitchen, and back to reality.
Remember a while back when I found the "two safes and a scary" in our pantry cupboard? Today, I aimed to tackle another one from the list--the "scary"-- the Cincinnati chili. I had fairly good luck with the coconut curd, that turned into pretty good no-bake pie, and I was feeling hopeful. A little Google searching, can-label reading, and I decided I would attempt to turn this monstrosity into a bunch of lunches for me for the upcoming workweek--I would make "spaghetti 4 ways."
Apparently, this is a big thing in Cincinnati. First, they take a pile of cooked spaghetti, and dump chili on top and add cheese. This is "3-way" spaghetti (3-ingredients). Add red beans, "4-way," Add red beans and onions, "5-way." I figured I needed all the help I could get, so I opted for the "5-way." Then I recalled a Google recipe where they did this, and added hot dogs, so as a sixth ingredient, it would be "6-way chili."
Yep. Let's try that. 5 ingredients I don't hate, and one that's nasty crap surely has to even out, right?
I boiled up some spaghetti, dumped the can of the unmentionable chili into a saucepan, and added a can or rinsed red kidney beans, and some chunked up hot dogs. It was vile. It smelled bad, looked worse, and made me think unnatural thoughts. I didn't want to eat it. Regardless, I finely diced some Vidalia onion, and grated up a small bit of aged Wisconsin cheddar. I figured if I covered it up enough, it might not be so bad. Once everything was done, I had the forethought to put a TINY bit on a plate to try BEFORE I made up a bunch of lunch containers to use during the work week. Then I took a bite.
Absolutely wretched.
I couldn't even finish a tiny bite. It was so gross.
Thankfully, I kept the onion, cheese, and spaghetti separate from the chili and bean garbage, so those could be used in something else. I put a spoonful of the chili mix onto the dog's food. He sniffed it, and then looked away. He wasn't having it, either, I guess. So, if you're a fan of Cincinnati chili, good for you, but in my mind, there is a time and a place for it: NEVER, and IN THE TRASH.
I immediately made quick work of making something to rectify this situation and get my mind off of that horrid garbage. I baked some bread. First off, we are down to two pieces of regular sandwich bread, so I made a loaf of that. It looked awesome, and smelled awesome, but I haven't cut into it yet. Also, I made some soft pretzels. Jay said he was having a craving for a good soft pretzel during our microbrew beer sampling last night, so I set out to make him some of those today, and I will vouch that they are awesome!
Also, on the lettuce front, our "salad plugs" have started nicely. They are about two and a half inches tall, and will be ready to transplant, soon. Also, our garden seed order is slated to arrive at the first part of this week. That is always a fun part of my winter--planning out all of the tasty and wonderful garden things that I will begin to plant for the upcoming growing season.
--SH