Happy New Year!

I love the holidays but I am glad they are over. I definitely dabbled in way more sweets then expected. For new years I headed up to Vermont to visit an old friend. It was two and a half days of exceptional food and good company. For dinner on new years eve we had: Pork tenderloin, stuffed squash filled with spiced cous cous, almonds and cranberries, baked brussel sprouts with garlic and lemon, fingerling potatoes and a mixed green salad. One word: fabulous. New years day we headed to Shelburne Farms right outside of Burlington. I cannot even explain the beauty of this place. It is a 1,400 acre, working farm and a non profit environmental education center. It is also a historical landmark that homes a beautiful inn. While we were at Shelburne farms we sampled 1, 2 and 3 year old cheddars, an assortment of amazing mustard's, relishes and jams. I would highly recommend visiting this place if you are ever in the Burlington area. http://www.shelburnefarms.org/. Currently it is 19 degrees in Brooklyn but with the wind chill it feels like -10. Chili weather people! Chili weather! Nothing better then a big heaping bowl of chili and a crusty piece of bread to warm you up. The recipe I am going to give you is easy to make and even easier if you have crock pot. Crock pots are great because you can literally just throw everything in, set the timer, go to work or run you errands and it will be done when you get back. Hopefully this recipe warms your bones!

Hearty 3 Bean Chili:

2 green peppers
1 red pepper
1 onion
1 jalapeno
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can small kidney beans
1 can tomato paste
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 tomato
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsb cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsb black pepper
1 tsb garlic powder or 2 cloves diced garlic

Drain and rinse all beans. Dice onion, tomato and chop peppers. Be sure to use the juice and seeds from the tomato. Combine all the ingredients in crock pot. Stir until all the veggies and beans are coated in diced tomatoes and paste. Cook on high for 5-6 hours. I prefer vegetarian chili but this recipe is great if you also add a half pound of cooked ground turkey. Just brown the ground meat and add it to the pot. It also cooks for 5-6 hours. Enjoy!