Because it really is personal…

Chili with beans, cornbread

2 pounds cheapest ground beef @ 1.25/lb= $2.50
1 lb onion @ $.99 lb
1 large can crushed tomatoes @ $.99
3 smaller cans diced tomatoes @ $.69e=$2.07
2 pounds fresh roma tomatoes @$1.00lb=$2.00
5 cans pinto beans @ $.49e= $2.45
2 tablespoons chili powder (don’t know, already had)
1 tablespoon garlic powder(dkah)
2 teaspoons toasted ground cumin(ditto)
2 teaspoons italian seasoning blend(“)
1 teaspoon ground chipotle powder(“)
Adjust the seasonings to your taste, I’ll probably add more later because I like it spicy.
Brown the meat, in a great big pot. Drain off the grease, chop and mix in the onions. Add the tomatoes and beans and all the seasonings. Stir well, cover, and simmer very low for a good long time, stirring occasionally.
Total: $11.00

Cornbread
1 bag bread mix: $2.50
3 eggs @ $1.29/doz=$.32
2 cups milk @ 3.99/gal= $.50
2 sticks butter @ 1.49/pound=$.75
Follow the directions on the bag, only double the amount. Melt the butter in a couple of cast iron skillets, get the skillets good and hot before you put the batter in and bake according to directions.

Total: $4.07

$04.07
$11.00
——
$15.07 for the whole meal or $1.88 per person, not including the 6-pack of Sam Adams beer Chris promised to bring. Hopefully there will be leftovers as well.

I didn’t include the cost of the spices, because I already had them, and don’t remember the cost.

Here’s how it all started:
Saturday a co-worker of Terry’s was moving into an apartment just up the way. He’d come here from Chicago, and needed help with some stuff (strongarming the movers was just the beginning). I asked Terry to invite him for supper tonight, we’d have Guy Food and Chris could bring beer. Then Sunday I saw Will, as I was leaving a hostile note on his car, and invited him to supper tonight as well. Upon learning we were having chili, he asked if AstroGirl could come, as she’s fond of a bowl of red, and I said sure, why not, I like her and chili’s easy to make in mass. Then, whilst doing laundry and generally acting housewiferly this morning, David appeared, and helped by opening cans for the chili, as I was busy dumping in seasoning.

/aside the seasoning measurements up there are very, very guestimational. I am of the “dump and pour” school of chili making, and never, ever measure anything. the cans are right, but the seasonings, purely estimate./end aside

anyway, during the pleasant conversation whilst dumping cans, he announced that he may have found work at the Baptist church doing janitorial stuff, helping out his buddy Jared, who eats here from time to time, and is a pleasant and well mannered fellow. “Can I invite Jared for supper?” David asked. Sure, why not. What’s one more? I’ll open another can of beans, and make a bigger pone of cornbread.

This, people, is what I’ve been wanting forever, but lacked the (whatever) to make it happen. People, eating here, enjoying themselves. Casual sort of things, simple food, conversation, around this table that has been DYING to be stretched to capacity, Yes,this is what I want.

I am now considering an Expatriots Thanksgiving, if people aren’t all going elsewhere for the holiday.