Day #37 - Perfect Fall Meal

I love this meal. The perfect combination of a light yet rich salad and a hearty chili.

I could actually go on about chili for quite sometime. This is a simple recipe, but still really good. And, if you want to make it a bit creamier I suggest adding just 1oz of 2% velveeta cheese. Serious goodness.

I've been a bit MIA, but I've been busy joining the herds of women watching "New Moon". Yes, that's my excuse. And a good one, I might add.

BJ's Brewery: Wedge Salad

Ingredients:

1/2 iceberg lettuce head, cut in half

4 tbsp light blue cheese dressing

1 oz blue cheese

4 slices of bacon (i use oscar mayer ready cooked bacon)

1/2 tomato, diced

pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Top each quarter of lettuce head with 2 tbsp of dressing, 1/2 oz blue cheese, 2 slices of bacon, 2 tbsp tomato, and salt and pepper.

Servings: 2

Nutritional Info: 190 cals, 14g fat, 9g carbs, 9g protein

Lone Star Steakhouse: Lone Star Chili

(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:

1lb 93% lean ground beef

1 onion, diced

1 jalapeno pepper, diced

1 15oz can kidney beans

1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes

1 8oz can tomato sauce

1 cup water

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp salt

2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Garnish-

1 cup fat free cheddar cheese, shredded

4 tsp fat free sour cream

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef in large saucepan. Once browned, add onions and jalapenos. Cook for 2 minutes.

2. Add remaining ingredients to chili. Let boil then simmer for 1 hour. When ready to serve, top with 1/4 cup cheese and 1 tsp sour cream. May serve with chips.

Servings: 4

Nutritional Info: 344 cals, 9g fat, 28g carbs, 38g protein