Italian Chili Photo Tutorial and Recipe

Today I am making a recipe given to me by my aunt's partner. The first time it was described to me, it sounded awful and unappealing. I was 18 when I moved in with them and I was introduced to different, yet tasty dishes. 

I started making this recipe myself when I was 20 and living alone in Germany (that is where I was stationed in the Army upon moving out).

Italian chili... 

Let me give you a quick run down of some of the ingredients:

Ground beef

Kidney beans

Tomato paste

Potatoes

Broken spaghetti (or fideo - as shown below)

Cinnamon 

I know, those last three (especially the last one) might have thrown you for a loop. Stick with me, I was there too and figured cinnamon would destroy any hint of this dish being delicious. 

Included is a photo essay of each step and I will try to explain the best I can. I don't have this written down, it is all in my head and my heart (sometimes I add more of one thing or less of another). 

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons solidified bacon grease (or oil if you are against bacon grease... I literally only save it for this recipe and it makes a huge taste difference in my opinion) 

• 1 onion small chop

• Kosher salt

• 1 - 1.5# ground beef

• 1 6oz can tomato paste

• 3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon

• 3 medium russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)

• 2 15oz can kidney beans (undrained)

• 1 half cup fideo (or broken spaghetti pieces into 1 inch length)

First, we are going to prep ingredients. Chop the onion, then peel and cube the potatoes (placing them into a bowl and covered with cold water).

Empty both undrained kidney bean cans into a sauce pan and bring to a gentle simmer. This helps to soften the skins for later use.

Next we are going to place the bacon grease (or oil if you prefer) into a large pot with heat set to medium. I prefer nonstick for this dish personally. Once the fat you are using is hot, add the chopped onions and gently fry until translucent (but not browning). 

Now add the ground beef and a pinch of kosher salt. 

Brown ground beef until nearly all pink is gone. I just break it up with my wooden spoon and stir. 

Then I added some kosher salt.

At this point, add the tomato paste and fry longer.

You want the paste to combine fully with the meat/onion mixture and start to get color as shown in following photograph.

Now the weird part…. Adding all that cinnamon. 

Stir and continue cooking. The cinnamon will release it’s fragrance and help dry out the mixture slightly.

I turned down the heat and added ¼ c water while I got out my small food processor (used for beans) you can also use a blender but I didn’t want to hand wash mine. 

Then we add the potatoes after draining most of the water out of the bowl. Stir in and now we turn toward the beans.

The beans will be very hot so be careful. I actually burned myself tonight cooking this meal.

I blend the beans to remove the skins (the recipe calls for mashing the warmed beans through a metal sieve but I don’t have that type of time anymore, so I blend and strain through the sieve) 

You may notice the bean skins make it difficult for the bean goo to move through, so take the back of a large soup spoon and work it back and forth. 

Add a little bit of water (tablespoons as a time) if necessary to help it work through. It will be a pinkish purple substance that helps become the broth of this dish.

Mix it together and repeat until all beans are strained. Now cover and continue to simmer and stir to keep from sticking. 

We want the potatoes to start getting soft NOT mushy. 

The next step is completely up to you. You can cook the pasta in the pot and baby sit it (I always have issues with it sticking together) or cook it in a separate pot. I use the same pot as the beans, not rinsed since it is all combining anyway.

Once water boils, add pasta and stir while cooking to keep from sticking.

Once to your desired doneness, drain enough off top to come right below pasta and pour into large pot.

Stir and serve.

Included here is the PDF of this recipe too. 

Trials lead to unrealized prayers

The ups and downs of life that bring us joy and sorrow often distract us from what we really want or need to do. Chores, crafts, college, business ventures, illnesses, loss, starting a family, changing careers, reconnecting with friends or family... there are so many missed opportunities because of life throwing curveballs. 

But, imagine if those curveballs were the planned path from a higher power that you unknowingly resisted because you didn't realize it was what you were meant to do. 

Challenges, hardaches, loss and despair are never something we ask for yet we are still 'gifted' these things. Gifted. Yes they are gifts to allow us to grow in our own personal strength as well as our faith in God (for those whom follow a religion/belief).

Even if you are someone without any form of belief, as I was years ago, those moments where we grow and learn are invalueable. I will admit, I have never in my life been grateful for the challenge I am facing, in the moment of challenges.

I have been angry, hurt, confused, depressed, lost and broken.

I have wanted to (and actually have) run away from problems to avoid the suffering.

Heavenly Father knew I needed those trials and kept placing them in my path until I finally faced them.

I stopped running and stood up strong (sometimes hanging my head down too because it is hard) and dealt with the situation. 

Not only am I rewarded with strength developed, but I am also rewarded with a sense of accomplishment in myself as well as a stronger appreciation for Heavenly Father. I am the type of person who has always preferred to isolate from people because being around others or in crowded areas is very draining and creates higher levels of anxiety for me.


We moved nearly as year ago from NW Tennessee to sunny, hot, humid, sticky southern Georgia near Savannah. We tend to mind our own business, leaving our neighbors alone and hope they do the same (at least I do). Not because they are rude, on the contrary both neighbors are very nice. 

Yet, I was heartbroken leaving Tennessee because I had actually formed bonds with so many ladies in our ward at church. I knew I would never find friends to replace those wonderful friends that I had trusted and allowed into my life. They knew struggles I went through others would not know about or understand the suffering through those times.

Our first day at our new ward we were greetly by many friendly faces that were eager to know us. I was informed that one family was our neighbor (literally 2 doors away) and the wife was the Relief Society President. She was nice but obviously busy/rushed with something so we didn't chat much.

I honestly can't remember when it happened but our being acquaintances moved onto friendly neighbors... then we just became friends. I know my daughter (12) and her oldest (6) have bonded quickly and her son (4) adores my son (14). Her baby is almost 2 and just an adorable joy to be around for everyone. Eventually our interaction went from over the fence to into each others homes. I believe that in combination with serving each other and then serving others together helped our bond. Yet, when Covid forced churches to close and we were given authorization to have sacrament together and that really pushed our families to grow closer. (My husband was often away from home for work.)

Now we text daily, my daughter is their 'adopted' child and we often play board and card games together. We share meals, baked goods, recipes and now homeschooling information. We help with any other issues we feel the need to reach out to each other to discuss. I have not felt this kind of comfort and judgement free friendship from a friend for a very long time.

Being able to hear her say that I was an answer to her prayers for a friend made me feel as though I really was appreciated and loved. I have been her friend such a short time but it feels much longer. Both couples get along well. the kids all play together well  (even my angsty teenager) and I enjoying witnessing the friendship growing between the husbands since my husband keeps to himself often.

So after all the heartache, stress, trials and disappointments in life... you have to remember this one thing: they are leading you to and preparing you to recognize and appreciate blessings. For me, it is this friendship.