Looking for something simple and hearty for a winter meal that your whole family will enjoy? Ginger Tracy, CFT, CNC, a nutritionist and exercise consultant in Beverly Hills, says cooking with a crock pot may be your answer. To keep it healthy, she urges people to use organic, fresh foods whenever possible. She has kindly agreed to share her favorite crock-pot recipe that she swears her two children and four grandchildren love.

Ginger’s Spicy Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. Lean stew beef (cut into small pieces)
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 3 medium onions
• 2 green bell peppers
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 4 large cans of Kidney beans
• 2 qts. (64 oz.) Crushed tomatoes
• 1 qt. (32 oz.) Chicken broth
• 8 oz. Can Ortega chiles
• 8 oz. Can of beer
• 3 tsp. Oregano
• 3 tsp. Pepper
• 3 tsp. Cumin
• 4 tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp Thyme
• 1 tsp. Coriander
• 5 tsp. Chili powder
• 1 lemon or lime

Directions:

1.      Saute the first 5 ingredients in a skillet until brown. About 15 minutes.

2.      Add the beans , tomatoes, chicken broth, chiles, beer, and spices.

3.      Cook in a large stockpot and or crockpot till the meat is done. About 1-2 hours. Add the juice of 1 lemon or lime.

4.      Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream, or cilantro, and corn bread.