Mark Bittman is a genius. I know you know I am a fan. "How To Cook Everything" is a great reference/cookbook for any kitchen and for any cook. It really does have recipes for how to cook everything.
Baked potato. Who needs a recipe, right? Apparently, I do. Mr. Bittman advises never wrap potatoes in aluminum foil. This common method steams the potato and renders it mealy, mushy and flavorless.
Number Two: Who bakes their potatoes at 350 for one hour? Me! And I bet, you. Mr. Bittman guides his readers to preheat the oven to 425 (yowzers!) for 40-45 minutes. Another tip, scrub the potatoes well, pat them dry then cover them in olive oil and salt.
The result was a perfectly delicious baked potato. And the skin was delicious.
I paired the potatoes with chili. It is an easy, nourishing meal on a cold and rainy day like today.
Chili (I cannot remember where I got the recipe but I definitely didn't come up with it on my own)
1/4 to 1/2 pound of organic ground beef (I prefer 1/4 pound - I think ground beef is better served as an accent to a dish)
1 large onion
5 cloves of garlic, minced (I use more)
1 C. chicken broth
1/3 C. chili powder (they sell a gigantic container at Costco, that was redundant)
1 T. cumin (essential!)
1T unsweetened cocoa
2 cans of diced tomatoes drained
2 cans of kidney beans definitely drained
1 t. salt
1 T. cider vinegar
1. Cook beef, salt as you go. Add onions and garlic.
2. Gradually add broth.
3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, cocoa, tomatoes. Reduce heat , cover, simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add beans, salt , vinegar.
5. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
