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COWS4YOU · 02-10-2010, 12:29 AM

Did you know that February is Canned Food Month? Canned Food Month is a great time of year to clean out your kitchen pantry. We all have cans of vegetables, soups, and fruits that just sit and sit on the shelf. You can probably pull them out and have the fixings for a casserole or even a fruit salad. If you are on the other end of the spectrum and don't have many cans in your pantry, maybe this month is a good time to get some. A well-stocked pantry can help on those days when you can't find anything "fun" to eat. You can always pull out a can of something and make a concoction.

Canned food has a shelf life of at least two years from the date of processing. Canned food retains its safety and nutritional value well beyond two years, but it may have some variation in quality, such as a change of color and texture. Canning is a high-heat process that renders the food commercially sterile.

You have all these cans and wonder what can you make with them? Why not try 6 Can Vegetarian Chili (I have not tried this, just found the recipe online)

6-Can Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients:

1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1 6-oz can tomato paste
3-5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp Chili Powder
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
water or tomato juice
other seasonal vegetables if desired (optional)

Directions:

* Heat oil in 4-quart saucepan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer.
*Add garlic, onion, oregano, cayenne, chili powder, and cumin and sauté together until onions are translucent. 4-6 minutes.
*Add tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans and corn. Add water or tomato juice until just covered and bring to boil.
*Lower the heat to a simmer and partially cover the skillet. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
*In the last 5 minutes add cilantro and stir. Add salt, pepper and more chili powder to taste.

Toppings/sides: (sour cream, cheddar cheese, oyster crackers or corn bread)

Since a bunch of you are enjoying the many inches of snow, chili would be a great, warms you up kind of food. It's Wednesday, so a new poll is up. Have a great Wednesday!