Cincinnati Chicken Chili

Yummy dinner last night.  Upon Maggie's recommendation, I made the weight watchers recipe above.  It was A) easy B) different and C)beyond deeeeelicious!  It made a ton so (sorry Lisa) I will be noshing on it for lunch today as will Jim.  I reserved two other containers beyond that and still had a ton so I stuck it in the freezer.  Here's the recipe - if you aren't a fan of Skyline, you won't like this probably (although it does have a slightly different taste - more cinnamon, more cumin, more cocoa maybe...I don't know).

Ingredients

• 2 tsp canola oil 
• 1 medium uncooked onion(s), chopped 
• 1 medium green pepper(s), seeded and chopped 
• 3 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), chopped 
• 4 oz chopped green chili(es), canned, mild 
• 6 Tbsp chili powder 
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa 
• 2 tsp Durkee ground cumin, or other brand 
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1 tsp sugar 
• 1/2 tsp table salt 
• 1 pound(s) uncooked extra lean ground chicken breast, skinless 
• 14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes 
• 1 cup(s) fat free salsa, mild, chunky variety 
• 8 oz canned tomato sauce 
• 1 cup(s) water 
• 1/2 pound(s) cooked spaghetti 
• 1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese 
• 2 medium uncooked scallion(s), thinly sliced 

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the chiles, chili powder, cocoa, cumin, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chicken and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes. 
2. Add the tomatoes with their liquid, salsa, tomato sauce, and water; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the flavors blend and the chili thickens slightly, about 1 hour. 
3. Divide the spaghetti among 8 plates. Spoon the chili on top, then sprinkle with the cheese and scallions.

Maggie actually used ground turkey in hers (which she said was yummy too).  I used the chicken which Jim couldn't believe was chicken.  I also didn't add the scallions...just didn't feel like it.  Oh, and if you're doing weight watchers - 5 points!!!  

So today is exciting!  Why?  Need you ask!?  WINE!!!  YAY!!!  I've been so good this week.  Last night Jim said to me, "Oh, come on, you can cheat."  Me: "JIM!!!  That is no way to support me!  I don't want to cheat!  I want to lose weight!!!  I want to feel better about myself!  I want to lose this belly fat!!!"  He's a bad husband!  (Not really - he just has no sense of discipline).  

Bubba keeps making me run up and down the stairs and he's in big trouble.  See, he's outside and when he's done, he won't bark or signal that he wants in...so I set a timer in order not to forget him.  Well, he hasn't come up yet - he's still down waddling around in the yard.  He's been out there for 20 minutes already.  He's probably just sitting in the middle of the yard with his sweet little nose in the air, sniffing.  Just checked again and NOTHING!  Ooh, he's in so much troubles.  He's probably over at the side door of the garage.  Silly baby boy.

K - well, I best head out.  Movie day!  9 to 5 in first period, Episode 4 of Alcatraz in 4th period and Out of Africa in 6th period!  YEAH!!!  Hope it's an easy day.  Later!