Revived

Sometimes all it takes is sitting in a wild field, feeling the sun warming your skin and and being able to  hear the gentle breeze rustling the grasses to bring you back to your senses.
Saturday here was hectic, that feeling of forever being behind on the long to do list and every inch of the house needing some cleaning (but where to find the time).Was feeling grumpy and slightly short tempered with little people bickering (and the Mr. leisurely reading 'work' papers on the sofa),  the choice to go out to the countryside on Sunday really felt great. To explore a new part of the island (Bidnija) and to let the kids run wild and invent their own games. Do feel revived now and ready to start a new week.

Upon returning from our day out we enjoyed some chili con carne and corn muffins, its been at least two years since I had made either and I had forgotten how good and warming they are, a little taste and smell of home.


p.s. The house in the above small picture has the view shown in the first large photo, wouldn't that be something to wake up to!?

Chili Con Carne
3Tbs Olive oil
1 large Onion chopped
3 garlic gloves crushed
750 grams ground beef
3 Tbs tomato puree (paste to some conserve to others)
1 green pepper chopped
1 red pepper chopped (can add in a yellow pepper too, for some extra colour)
2-3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground cumin
20 grams cocoa powder 
600 ml vegetable stock
500 grams chopped tomatoes
2 Tbs cider vinegar
2X 400 gram cans of red kidney beans 
(you can also soak 400 grams dried kidney beans overnight then boil for an hour and strain)
salt and pepper to taste


step 1. fry onion and garlic in oil, medium heat. step 2. add beef mince fry for 10-15 min  step 3. add tomato puree, chili and spices cook for a further 5  min Step 4. add stock, tomatoes, cocoa and season. Let simmer for 30 min, finally add the chopped peppers. 


Serve in a bowl (over over rice) with a side of sour cream and topped with shredded cheddar cheese. Also very good served with warm cornbread. 

Cornbread
2 cups white flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups yellow corn meal (can also use polenta)
1/2 cup sugar
step 1. Mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly and set aside. 


step 2. In  a separate bowl mix
2 eggs
2 cups milk
220 grams melted butter


step 3 Mix the wet into the dry and bake as muffins for 15 min or till golden brown. You can also bake it for longer in a bread tin.
serve with butter and honey if warm. these are not very sweet muffins.