Anywhoo. The recipes are for a really simple but pretty freaking yummy chili using Morningstar Grillers and a riff on the nutmeg and milk microdermabrasion I wrote about in my previous post. While I really liked the results of the microdermabrasion, it bothered me how runny it was. I would have to do it in the shower and it made such a huge mess. You ain't lived until you've nearly slipped and died on milk and nutmeg all over the bottom of your bathtub. Besides, picking nutmeg out of your hairline gets annoying after a while.
So the solution was to create a more mask-like concoction. I came up with this when I went to go wash my face with honey one night and thought, "What would happen if I mixed yogurt, honey, and nutmeg together?" The answer? Magic. Yes, magic happens. I'm not lying. It turned into a face cleanser/scrub/mask that creates magically clear, smooth, soft skin.
The thing is, most people don't realize that dry, flaky skin can benefit from a good hearty scrub rather than a super-moisturizing mask. When my forehead was going all, "I hate you, I hate life, zits, zits, zits," this mask calmed it right down. "Hey there boy, relax a bit."
So here's the recipe for the magical, and apparently talking, mask.
Yogurt, Honey, and Nutmeg Mask
1 tbsp yogurt
1/2 tbsp honey
1/2 tbsp ground nutmeg
Add to bowl and mix together very well. Apply to a dry, makeup-free face using gentle circular motions. Leave on for 5 minutes or more. Rinse off with warm water. Apply moisturizer if necessary. (I use olive oil.)
And onto the recipe of the edible kind...
Grillers and Red Bean Chili
makes 4 - 6 servings.
1 onion, diced
1 tbsp tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced (more or less to your preference)
32 oz. can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (I use Muir Glen)
15.5 oz. can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes (Muir Glen also)
2 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
pinch cayenne powder
Salt to taste
1 bag Morningstar Grillers
1 big can red kidney beans
Optional garnishes: chives, cilantro, parsley, chopped avocados
In a dutch oven or heavy pot, saute the onions in olive oil until soft and translucent. Add the tomato paste and garlic and cook for about 30 seconds more. Then, pour in the two cans of tomatoes and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and season with chili powder, cumin, cayenne powder, and salt to your taste. Simmer partially covered for about 20 minutes or longer if desired. Add the Grillers and beans (as much beans as you like) and cook until warmed through. Garnish and serve!
I served it with elbow macaroni which was what Guitar Boy requested. It's called chili mac? Eh. It's not really my thing. I've only ever really eaten it by itself with a hunk of crusty bread. But you can serve it however you like. A note on Morningstar Grillers: I try not to use faux meat a lot but when Guitar Boy gets those pleading sad puppy eyes, I can't say no. However, it's my philosophy that when I gave up meat, there's no reason why I should try to revisit it in faux form, you know?
Can you believe Christmas is almost here? My Christmas spirit has not yet shown its spangly red and green head, but I think it's because we completely slacked on getting a tree. Holiday fail, I know. There are certain people in my life who will be aghast to find this out... In any case, Happy Merry Christmahanukwanzicah!
I was wondering if I could use yogurt instead of milk for the nutmeg thing. So I stumbled across this. I feel like honey is too strong to use with nutmeg. Doesn't the honey just dry off and not let nutmeg do it's work? I feel it would give better results if I use both differently. But that's just me and I am just 18 so you probably know much better than me. I shall try this too though! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi! You can definitely use yogurt instead. I've used this recipe with greek yogurt before and it worked beautifully. I've hadn't had a problem using nutmeg and honey together. The nutmeg is a physical exfoliant, all those little nubs grinding together to get the dead skin off. Honey helps cleanse, refine, and moisturizes your skin. Together, they're a powerhouse working to restore your skin back to its smooth, healthy glory. Let me know how it worked for you!
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