I started using a new mascara recently which apparently turns to ash and rains onto the gutters under my eyes, so that each time I find a mirror throughout the day I startle at the face of Voldemort who also happens to be me. Or maybe I really am that tired. This is a morbid way of introducing tonight’s dinner, but I’ve read too much Cormac McCarthy to not associate villains with West Texas. And now I’ll think of Voldemort each time I make a cornbread waffle. Avada kedavra, or Bon appetit.
West Texas Chili
Adapted from Penzeys Spices
1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 lb. pork sausage, browned
1 tsp. ground chipotle powder
1 tsp. ancho chili powder
2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 16-oz. can tomato sauce
1 12-oz. can tomato paste
1 pint (2 Cups) diced fresh tomatoes
20 small-medium jalapeños peppers, diced (use as many as you are comfortable with, discard cores, stems and seeds)
1 medium onion, chopped
5 mild chili peppers, diced (Anaheims, poblanos and/or banana peppers are great)
1 tsp. Fajita seasoning
In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and pork sausage. Drain well. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for at least an hour. Serve over cornmeal waffles.
Cornmeal Waffles
3 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 Cups cornmeal
2 TB. baking powder
2 tsp. sugar
4 Cups milk
6 TB. olive oil
4 large eggs
In a large bowl mix the dry ingredients. Add the milk, oil and eggs. Mix completely. Pour the batter onto a hot Belgian or regular waffle iron. Cook according to your waffle maker’s instructions. Set each on a baking rack in the oven on low to keep them a little crispy.
To be clear, there is nothing sinister about this dinner, or West Texas for that matter. These were delicious, and I snacked on the extra cornbread waffles for days afterwards–full of flavor.
That’s ‘Aveda Cadabra’…heh heh. The sleep doc needs to take her own medicine…it’s working in Oregon!
Cute dermatology pun, Mom. Glad to hear the anti-dementia campaign is in full swing.
I feel like I missed the make-up tutorial class – I always end up smearing whatever is on my face all over like a five-year-old forgetting about their facepaint. I’m just going to own it from now on. Also, those waffles are beauteous – what kind of waffle iron do you have?
Hmmmm…. we got it for our wedding some seven years ago. It’s a rotatey circle shaped thing with a handle that looks like a throttle. I think it’s a cuisinart– not fancy. But faithful. (a metaphor)