Snow + chili + shoveling = joy

The snow's falling outside, and it's measuring higher than my knees right now. I'm not saying that I'm of such tall stature that a snow level above my knees is something of consequence - but it's high. In light of all this snow, which apparently in Washington DC seals off any hope of spring or summer, this is the general summary of damage:

Wiped out: Vegetables, bananas, potatoes, cheese, eggs, milk, bread, toilet paper, beef, pork, chicken.
Still available: gourmet cheeses, cold cuts, golden beets, oranges, apples, starfruit.

So I observed of our local supermarket's shelves around midnight Thursday night, before the snow started coming down Friday mid-day. Madness and mayhem abound, I contributed to the milk/bread/toilet paper (It. embeetepitis, commonly referred to as "you gotta be shittin me, i mean, seriously?") with a purchase of camembert and golden beets. Along with some chips and dip. Hey - I go high and low brow - if it's yummy, well, it's yummy.

So we're geared up for the snow here, and to celebrate the continual precipitation of sky dandruff, I've been cooking up a storm today. I have two French loaves proofing as we speak, and Hubby helped me with getting chili rolling on the stove. I've also got a couple of items cooking for Baby2, to tempt his palate - though I've got foie gras on my radar. As soon as this snow subsides and we're able to get out of our driveway, Dean and Deluca is my target. He's way overdue for foie.

But here's a recipe for my super easy chili. Hubby swears by it. He testifies up and down that it was the cure for his hypothermia that set in after a bike ride (with too few layers, mind you) many a millennia ago, when we first started dating. And each time we settle down with an afternoon college football game, it's what goes on the stove. I do go Texas-style with my chili - no beans - but it doesn't mean you can't add some in to your own taste.

Mean Ole Chili

1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
3 lb ground beef
finely diced onion (or shallot)
(and in order of decreasing amount)
Ground cumin
Salt
Ground coriander
Cilantro
Cayenne pepper
Black pepper

1. Open up the can of crushed tomatoes.
2. Brown the ground beef, and break up into small pieces.
3. Add onion, and saute until onions are semi-translucent.
4. Add your spices, and stir well. Cook until ground beef is cooked throuhg
   
5. Add the can of crushed tomatoes. Bring to slow boil.
6. Turn the heat down to low, and cover. Simmer for 1-2 hours, or at least until your appetite defeats you.
7. Add salt to taste. I usually add a touch of salt in the beginning, to season the beef, and then I add some at the end to keep the taste of salt sharp without over-sodiumizing the chili.
   

Serve with your favorite toppings (I like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped scallions, toasted bread). And your favorite beverage (I like Coca-cola, though the Pepsi Throwback is giving Coke a run for its money right now!!).