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Chili in its many incarnations.

I have not always been a fan of chili, but it has grown on me over the years. Although people eat it all year long, it’s perfect for crisp fall days and the coming really cold weather (here now if you're up North). This is also a great food for a tailgate party or other sports party where sitting down for a meal is not priority.

 My mom made a mean chili dog and would send folks home with care packages. I personally don't enjoy beans and I know that that is chili sacrilege, so here’s a trick my sister uses. She pops them in a blender or mashes them up and voila you have the taste and not the little piles of beans on the side of the dish.

Chili is defined as a spicy stew that runs from mild to pass-the-water-please-hot. It can be basic and easy to make, to elaborate. There are so many variations and recipes to choose from it's mind boggling. There is something for everyone just as long as you like the chili flavor. The recipes are endless: spicy, vegetarian, white chili, two or more bean chili. Chili can be a side dish, condiment or the main meal. You can toss it into a baked potato as a left-over.

The cooking tools to make chili are pretty universal, of course a stove, stockpot, skillet for grilling onions and meat, cooking utensils etc. Along with being a great cold weather food, chili can be used as a theme for a party or social event. There are chili parties and even contests: best tasting, hottest, creative etc. One fun idea is to have a chili bar: start out with a basic chili and set out toppings as you would for a salad or ice cream bar….you might want to hold the chocolate sauce but who knows. This is great party food. Try using a crock pot to keep your chili warm throughout a football game or party. You won't have to worry about burning and everyone can have a fresh serving no matter when they arrive.

Click here for a steak  Rachael Ray chili recipe I happen to like a lot. Vegetarian? Try this one. And here's another for white chili.

Bond with your buds at a tailgate party.

I confess I am not a football fan, but count me in for a tailgating party.   For those of you who are not familiar with the term, a tailgating party is a picnic or cookout of sorts set up behind your car, typically before, during or after a sports event.  NASCAR events draw huge tailgate parties. Cars park together (sometimes in a not so picturesque lot) and each car puts on a picnic and mingles with neighboring cars.  You may have to go to a Polo event for the beauty locale.

Tailgating parties can go from a simple picnic of sandwiches and snacks to a full on BBQ or gourmet meal.  Along with being a lot of fun, they are a great way to save money, eat healthier than at the snack bar and keep folks like yours truly and kids entertained. 

Ideally you want to have these parties before the really cold winter weather months come but there are those diehard fans who have them rain or shine…or snow.  Tailgating parties are relatively easy to put on you need the same items and foods for a backyard or beach.  Pre pack everything in big coolers. Grills, grill tools, and aprons are necessary items and you will want to bring a thermos for hot drinks along with the coolers.

Don't forget the folding table and chairs. Original tailgaters used the flip down back of Mom's station wagon.

The bill of fare can run from the standard to gourmet. Make it pot-luck to spread the responsibility around. The only rule is to have fun and keep it simple. Bring music for the folks that are only into the party and want to hang together, not watch the game. 

Here are a few tailgating recipes and ideas from our old friend Betty Crocker. Keep things simple with a lot of finger foods that are prepared in advance. Burges and dogs are always welcome. For something fancier, Rachael Ray offers us a tasty combo for the grill, Chipotle Chicken Kabobs. Assemble ahead of time and just toss  on the grill.

Do you fondue?

Fondue pots have come a long way since my first forays as a kid. Fondue is a great way to bring people together and a really fun way to dine.

The keep is preparation. Have all of your meats, veggies and sauces cut into small pieces ahead of time and on the table before everyone sits down.

Check out all of the fondue pots out there. There is something for every style and decor, from electric to the more traditional sterno fuel powered. There are functional pots and beautiful ones for the most elegant of occasions.

If you want to go full out fondue, switch to another pot for dessert...check out this little chocolate one, right, just $9.99.  

Here are a few recipes sourced from RealSimple.com my favorite site for easy-to-make recipes: Fondue, Cheese Fondue, Chocolate Bar Fondue.

"25 Dishes to Warm the Heart" from Real Simple. My fav Chicken Pot Pie.

Temps are cooling and everyone wants to eat something that's a little warm and hearty. Real Simple's website is offering up a few great, family friendly options. Check them all out here.

Out of the 25, those that caught this chef's eye: Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower; Meatloaf; Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie (my family's personal fav); twice baked potatoes; creamed spinach; 3 cheese calzone; seafood gumbo; beef stroganoff with yogurt and dill; mashed sweet potatoes and more.

Pack that chicken pot pie with extra veggies if you want. There is definitely room.

Romantic dinner for two...at home!

On an entertainment shoestring? Make your meal the main event. Prep and set the table together. Make it festive by using a tablecloth, cloth napkins, candles and music.

Prep the meal, use your best china and take time over your meal.

Stir frys are a fun thing to cook together. There are woks for electric and gas stoves as well as outdoorgrills.

Indoor grills make BBQ a possibility on a chilly winter's evening.

Get Cooking!

With my schedule there's little time to fuss over a good meal. 

What I've found is that with fresh ingredients, a little prep and the right tools, cooking can be relaxing and rewarding, not so last minute. You wouldn't endeavor to build something without a complete toolbox, same goes for cooking a meal. Follow me to see what I've found makes cooking a pleasure. Stella

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