*chili, mac.

Please forgive me, dear reader. This post faces two main challenges:

1. I haven't posted in 12 years, so my memories of this dinner (concocted last week at some point) are murky.
2. I am not feeling even remotely funny.

And we all know I'm generally HILARIOUS. As I recall, it was cold ... and I was self-pitying ... and a throwback to childhood sounded ideal. Then again, some of my throwbacks to childhood were a little strange (love you Mommy!). Also, I'm pretty lazy, so so I like any recipe that is essentially two components.

Firstly!



Kidney beans, tomato sauce, tomato paste, "meat," shredded cheddar, diced tomatoes (they didn't have the right size can of whole tomatoes, which are annoying anyway. Most recipes tell you to chop them anyway, so why not buy them already chopped, I ask you??), whole-kernel corn, whole wheat pasta, green bell pepper, onion, chili powder, cumin, and the weeniest garlic cloves you've ever seen in your life.

Veggies go on to sauté ...



At which point you realize the recipe calls for cooked pasta, which you ... haven't done. AGAIN. Here's a note to novice cooks. You know, those who aren't as sophisticated as I am. I hear that if you try to boil your pasta as an afterthought, there's a possibility that you can leave your veggies on medium-high heat and scorch the bottom of your (admittedly crappy) pot. Little birdie told me.

NEXTLY!

Yeah, I have no excuse. Mom called, and I got to chitchatting, and mixing everything together, and not taking pictures ...



LASTLY!



It was quite tasty! Unfortunately, it also makes eight servings. So I have three of them sitting in my fridge getting mushy. Yum! Here's how the "meat" started:



Appetizing, no? It's not really like meat, but it's good for you. And it lends some satisfying texture.

So. That's it. Fake meat, distraction, and unwanted leftovers. Aren't you glad I'm back?!

Told you I'm not funny today. Maybe it's because my great aunt has COPD. I've been out of pocket because a new medication has meant we can spend more time with each other.



We have so much fun together.