Hello Everyone,

Well, looks like the flu came and it went at our house...my darling hubby was in the mood for chili, cornbread and banana bread. I was only to happy to oblige the poor sick soul!!!

Sounds like he is back from the dead....

It has been a bit chilly here in Central Florida so this was perfect, hope ya'll enjoy it as much as we did!!!

Gina's Chili

2 lbs. course ground beef
1 T. veg. oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1 sweet bell pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 28 oz. can peeled tomatoes
2 T. chili powder
1 t. oregano
1 t. salt
1 t. sugar
1/8 t. cayenne pepper (More if you want heat)
1 t. paprika
1 t. cumin
1 can Chili beans with juice

Brown beef in large pot, drain and set aside.

In a skillet, saute onions, bell peppers and garlic in oil til light golden. Add this to the meat and return that pot to the heat. Add the tomatoes, all the spices and beans. Stir to blend all flavors. Simmer on med-low for an hour or so.

If you want to thicken it up, take 2 T. cornstarch and mix it with a bit of water til it is smooth and stir it in.We eat this with cornbread. I use Jiffy and follow the instructions only I add 1 T. of sugar to the batter. Yumm!!!

Cabana Banana Bread (Awesome)

This is sooo good with coffee or with a nice glass of cold milk!!

1/2 c. butter, softened
2 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
4 med. size ripe bananas, mashed
4 eggs
1/2 c. veg oil
1 c. swiss-style pineapple yogurt
1/2 c. crushed pineapple, very well drained
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. coconut extract
3 c. flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. shredded coconut
Oven at 350
Cream butter and sugar til light and fluffy. Beat in bananas, beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in oil. Mix in all remaining ingred. except coconut. Divide batter between tow greased loaf pans. Sprinkle coconut evenly over tops of loaves. Bake 50-60 mts. Let cool 5 mts before removing from pans.