Tasty Chili & Corn Bread, Banana Bread, and Coconut Macaroons...Yum!

Tonight, Tyler and I decided to make our favorite chili and corn bread for dinner. It was really cold out and chili seemed like the perfect comfort food for a day like today. We got the recipe from our friends, Charlie and Katie, and it's really easy and absolutely delicious. We also baked these tasty Coconut Macaroons and Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. And when I say "we baked" this, I mean I baked and Tyler taste tested :) Below are the recipes!

Chili

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 2 red peppers, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 3 cups beef stock or canned beef broth
• 1 8-ounce can tomato paste 
• 2 15-ounce cans kidney beans

Directions

1. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions; sauté until light brown and tender, about 10 minutes. Add oregano and cumin; stir 1 minute. 
2. Increase heat to medium-high. Add turkey; stir until no longer pink, breaking up with back of spoon. 
3. Stir in chili powder, bay leaves, cocoa powder, salt and cinnamon. 
4. Add tomatoes with their juices, breaking up with back of spoon. 
5. Mix in stock and tomato paste. Bring to boil. 
6. Reduce heat; simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Add beans to chili and simmer until flavors blend, about 10 minutes longer. 
8. Discard bay leaves. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium-low heat before continuing.)

Corn Bread

Ingredients

• 1 cup unbleached flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1 egg slightly beaten

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together
2. Bake at 400 degrees for 24-30 minutes
3. Drizzle honey on top to serve

Banana Bread: I used this recipe but added 2 handfuls of chocolate chips

Coconut Macaroons: I didn't have cherries so I used dried cranberries and they came out so good. Watch out, these are so good and it's very easy to eat them all in one sitting!