Vegetarian Chili

I always seem to struggle at lunch time. I’m not a sandwich person and I’m pretty picky about my leftovers. If I was home for lunch, I’d have more options… turkey burgers, stir-fries, homemade pizza…. pretty easy stuff that just tastes better when you make them on the spot.

I decided to try my hand at chili this week, healthified since I’m trying to eat less junk and to get back in shape. This one was inspired by a friend of mine, with lots of veggies. Its one of those meals that I think I’d throw just about any veggie or bean I had on hand into, such as my mushrooms that were left over from quesadillas and taco night.

Vegetarian Chili

By Books n’ Cooks

Ingredients for the Chili Seasoning:

  • 1 Tbs. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 3/4 Tbs. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp. dried minced onion

Ingredients for the Chili:

  • olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 red or green pepper, diced
  • 1 c. diced mushrooms
  • 1-12 oz package veggie protein crumbles (I used Smart Ground Mexican Style)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1-28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

In a medium saucepan, heat a teaspoon of olive oil. When hot, add onion and sauté until soft.

Add all other ingredients and simmer for 30+ minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors have fused.

Serve with a cheddar or Mexican cheese blend.

Book Review: Covert

Book Review:

Covert: My Years Infiltrating the Mob

By Bob Delaney with Dave Scheiber

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“There are three groups of people you don’t mess with in this world – the FBI, the Mafia, and NBA refs.” Mike Schuler, NBA head coach, p. 223

*******

My husband asked Santa for Covert this past Christmas, and I immediately knew I wanted to steal it from him. It is the story of Bob Delaney, aka Bobby Covert, a New Jersey state trooper who is asked to go undercover just shortly after he joins the state troopers. In this new assignment, Delaney teams with other state troopers and the FBI (cooperation that was almost unheard of at the time) in Project Alpha, an effort better understand the inner workings of the mob and to make a serious dent in NJ’s organized crime. Over three years, Delaney starts and becomes president of a Jersey-based trucking company while wearing a wire and gathering evidence against the mobsters that plague the Jersey Shore.

Covert stands out not because it is a true crime novel, but because you can see, as you’re reading, the battles Delaney/Covert undergoes as he swings between his identity as a trooper and a mobster. He suffers from guilt at prosecuting mobsters who had become friends. He is unable to express his emotions after so long of suppressing them.

It was difficult for Delaney to readjust to ordinary life after his undercover left, but a few choice confidants and his “hoops therapy” (p. 185) allow him to get back to normal life. For several years, Delaney splits his time with the state troopers and reffing all levels of basketball, eventually becoming a full-time NBA ref.

Recommendation: While I was drawn to the book when my husband got it, I was a little doubtful I would enjoy it. It ended up being a great book. Delaney’s undercover assignment and his life after the assignment wasn’t romanticized like so many stories today. Delaney’s story was fascinating and well-told. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in true crime or memoirs.

Grade: B+

Genre: True Crime, Biography, Sports

Nutella Cookies

Slightly crispy outside, soft inside, and Nutella… Need I say more?

Nutella Cookies

Adapted from Recipe Zaar

Ingredients:

  • 2 c. plus 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt.
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 c. butter, melted and cooled
  • 3/4 c. brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. granulated sugar
  • 1/2 c. Nutella
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix butter and sugars until combined. Add Nutella, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.

Add flour, salt and baking soda in thirds, making sure the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined. Dough will be slightly crumbly.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Roll dough into 1-inch balls and flatten slightly. Dough won’t spread, so whatever size you make the balls will be the size of your cookies.

Bake 8-12 minutes, until cookies are light golden brown and edges begin to harden.

Remove cookies from oven and allow to cool on cookie sheet for a couple minutes, before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

Note: Dough is freezable, but will need an extra minute or two of baking time.

Bailey’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies were a great alternative to the traditional chocolate chip cookies. Light and fluffy thanks to the cake flour, and with just a hint of Bailey’s after their cooked.

Bailey’s Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies

Adapted from cooks.com

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 c. unsalted butter
  • 1/2 c. granulated sugar
  • 1/2 c. brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 c. Bailey’s original Irish Cream liquor
  • 2 1/4 c. cake flour
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 c. coconut

Preheat oven to 375F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, sugars and eggs on high-speed until fluffy.

Add vanilla and Bailey’s until combined.

Add cake flour, baking soda and salt.

With a rubber spatula, fold in chocolate chips and coconut.

Using a tablespoon, drop dough on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.