On Our Plates: Tom's Crockpot Chili

Uncle Tom and Aunt Annette are expecting a baby any day now...a new cousin for our girls! So we'll share one of our favorite freezer/crockpot meals that Tom made for us back when he and Annette were engaged. 

It goes quickly every time we fix it here. Mommy made a double batch for a Super Bowl party a couple years ago...family members were literally scraping the sides of the crock trying to get the last bites out. It's a simple recipe, but apparently the flavors really satisfy. Enjoy!

And we can't wait to meet you, Baby Hrywna! Neither can your parents.

Tom's Chili
Seasoning Mix
4 tablespoons chili powder
2 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Chili
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 - 28 oz cans diced tomatoes
1 - 15 oz can tomato sauce
2 - 15 oz cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed 

Label a gallon freezer bag with the date, recipe name, and cooking instructions. Mix together seasoning mix - you only need a little so store the rest in an airtight container for next time. In a skillet, cook ground beef until no longer pink. Mix 5 tsp of seasoning mix into the cooked ground beef.  Add all ingredients except one can of kidney beans to the gallon freezer bag. Mash the second can of beans up in a blender or food processor or with a potato masher and add them to the bag, too. Seal the bag, letting out as much air as you can, and lay in the freezer. When I'm ready to cook this, I cut the bag open, dump it into the crockpot completely frozen, and cook on low for about 8 hours.