You Can Just Invite People Over For Dinner

I feel like "dinner parties" are things from movies, or tv shows, and were exclusively thrown by adults. Well don't look now but you are actually an adult, and if you have people that you kind of like (or friends even) You Can Just Invite People Over For Dinner. It's like going out to eat but it costs significantly less money for everyone involved and you can stay as late as you want.

I am sort of saying this in a silly-billy kind of way, but I am being serious! Feeding the people in your life is a radical and important part of the human experience. When we eat together we share something of ourselves over conversation and the time shared. Not only is socializing a good time, but you are doing your guests a favor by taking care of the dinner question for them! Not having to plan a meal can be a huge stress reliever!

Also food is really expensive.

Now I am also not saying that you have to throw a fancy dinner party. Your friends can bring their own plates, or you can use paper plates! You don't even really have to have a kitchen table, if you don't already own one. The food doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg either, I'll finish by sharing a recipe that can feed 4-6 people for less than $10 and most of it can be found in the MATC Food Pantry

A Big Pot of Chili (You can add one pound of ground beef to this if that's your thing)

1/2 a bag of dried black/kidney beans (soak over night, and boil until soft)

OR

2 cans of black/kidney beans

2 cans of crushed tomatoes

1 bell pepper

1 jalapeno pepper

1 yellow onion

1 clove of garlic (or use dry garlic powder, about 2 TSPs)

1 TBSP of chili powder (I'm guessing here. lol but start with this!)

1 TBSP Cumin

Beef Broth (or beef bouillon)

cooking oil of your choice

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook beans in water until soft! (do this in a separate pot, or if you only have one pot cook these, then drain them, and transfer to a bowl.)

2. Cut up the bell and jalapeno peppers, and yellow onion in a pretty small dice

3. Heat large pot in which you will be making your soup (about half to 3/4 of what your stove settings say) and warm the cooking oil in pot

4. Add peppers and onions. If it is too hot lower the heat, but you want to cook peppers and onions until the onions are soft! (f you are using fresh garlic, chop and add it here)

5. (If you are using ground beef this is the time to do that. Cook until browned all the way through, I also recommend straining some of the beef fat, but you know what you like!)

6. Add the two cans of tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly

7. Add beans and your spices (not salt, we will do that last) and cook for 2 more minutes

8. Add beef stock until the soup achieves your desired consistency (some people like a real chunky chili!) If you are using beef boullion you will add water until the soup achieves a desired consistency, then add boullion cubes according to the directions on the packaging.

9. Taste the chili and then add salt and pepper until you like it

Definitely serve with some of the cornbread from the food pantry!! That stuff is so good