Mom's Half Hour Chili

This is my favorite Chili recipe. I have found that if I make it the day before and put it in the refrigerator over night and have it the next day, the spices have blended nicely together. Having said that, it is tasty the first day, but the day after is even better. Please note, I like my chili to be thick and not like soup. You could actually eat this with tortilla chips, a spoon, or over a hotdog or french fries if you are so inclined.  The recipe is as follows:

1 lb ground beef ( I have used steak and stew meat; you could also substitute chicken)
1/2 c. chopped onion (can be omitted)
1 tsp. garlic salt
3-4 tsps. chili powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1 bay leaf
3 c cooked tomatoes
1 #2 can read kidney beans

Please note, these are the basic ingredients and you can change it to suit your desire for heat.  I add red chili pepper flakes and more chili powder. Saute the ground beef with the onion, salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic salt, and bay leaf until browned. Add tomatoes, simmer 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf and add beans. Cook 10-15 minutes or more stir often.

Best Caramel Apple Dip

I got this yummy Caramel Apple Dip from a friend of mine and had to get the recipe.  I hope you like it.

Melt together over medium heat:
1 C. butter
2 C. brown sugar

Add:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 C. Karo syrup

Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until it barely starts to boil. (First bubbles
appear)

Take off heat and stir in:
1 T. vanilla

Serve warm with apple slices. Keeps well in refrigerator. (Seldom lasts long
enough to worry about spoiling!)

At this point you can put it in little pint jars to give away as a gift, or place it in a container and store in your refridgerator.  This is the best!!