Larks for the 40 Martyrs, Chili Recipe, & Shopping Deals!

Chunky Vegetarian Chili
 
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 (16-ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, undrained
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell peppers, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes or until tender.  Add sugar and remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes.

I made this chili when we got home from Liturgy today.  I actually sauteed the onions, peppers, and garlic and then put everything in a slow cooker.  I think that it probably it better if it is simmered for more than 30 minutes as that's not long enough to let the flavors meld.  But I put the recipe here just as I'd gotten it.  I participated in a neighborhood chili cook-off recently (and won an honorable mention).  This is the recipe of the guy next to me.  It was great!  I knew the recipe would come in handy during Lent.

I also made zhavoronky (pronouced zháv-run-kee, meaning "larks"). I used my sister, Martha's recipe that can be found on her blog here. Here is the outcome:

 In the photo of the ones on the plate, two of them were made by a friend.  I like how she formed beaks with the dough and how Martha made beaks with almonds.  Mine are beakless and therefore a little mutant looking.  Next year I hope for better looking ones but am not too disappointed with my results.  They do taste wonderful!  The orange zest really is important I think even though the recipe says it is optional.  

And... here are a few photos of Liza enjoying her little zhavoronok.

 
I went to a sale of used clothing and items for babies and children today that was held in my neighborhood. I came out with some real deals! I got everything in the photo for $29.50!



The booster seat on the left will go to my mother in laws so Liza has a place to sit when we are there. The two dark items you can't really see well are nursing shirts... both for about $5 each and they fit perfectly! The diaper cover is 100% wool and looked brand new and was only $4! A lady who runs a cloth diaper service said it retails for at least $25. I am very pleased with all the results of today's shopping :)

At the sale, one vendor was giving away the little painted wooden birds you see in the photos (on the shirt and with the baked zhavoronky). Her brother who passed away had made hundreds of them and she didn't think it would be right to sell them so she decided to give them away today! I told her how today I made little birds out of bread and gave them away since it's the Russian tradition for the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste (and the start of Spring). She thought that was really a neat coincidence!