New Hampshire Red Chili Recipe - Old Homestead Recipes

We are beginning to feel the faintest hints of spring here in New Hampshire and for us that means a few things. Garden plans to finalize on, mud boots to be taken out of storage and plenty of spring cleaning to look forward to. During these times, good old homestead recipes come front and center on our menu, with both a hardiness and simplicity to offer while we're doing a thousand things at once.

Homesteading Today

We like the 'set and forget' types of meals the best, as with so much happening on the chore front, it's good to come in when time allows it and have a hot meal. Homesteading today is about being with family and getting the chores done, but also eating healthy. Today, we'd like to share our chili recipe for New Hampshire Red, a great crock pot meal that only gets better as it sits there.

Old Homestead Recipes - New Hampshire Red Chili

2 Lbs lightly crushed tomatoes
2 Cans red kidney beans, drained
1 Cup diced onions 
2 Cups diced celery 
2 Lbs 85% ground beef 
1 12 oz can of tomato paste 
1 Tbs cumin 
1 Tbs chili powder
2 Diced chives

In a good-sized crock-pot, add the crushed tomatoes (quartered and drained), kidney beans, diced onions, diced celery, cumin, chili powder, and canned tomato paste. 

Now, brown the ground beef in an iron skillet (You have one, right?) and season with an additional yet generous dash of cumin and chili powder. Drain the beef and add to the pot. 

Set the crock pot to six hours on high and you can leave it be. Well, maybe stir a little bit during the first hour if you need something to do. When the six hours are up, you can start enjoying it with the diced chives on top, but then re-set it at warm for another 12 hours overnight. This is when it reaches perfection. 

If you are looking for a vegetarian approach, skip the ground beef. The flavor is just as wonderful, at least that's what Elizabeth and Joey say.

As with the best old homestead recipes, serve with homemade corn bread and cold milk.

We love sharing our homesteading life with you all, and are really getting into these old homestead recipes. Do you have a favorite homesteading crock-pot recipe you enjoy with family? We'd love for you to join the conversation!