Recipe: Painted desert chili mix in a jar

This healthy chili mix makes a great gift and is an excellent way to expose children to a variety of spices, smells and colors. It’s also a great way to teach children healthy food preparation habits (wash hands before beginning), math and measurement.

Activity makes a 1-cup jar

Recipe makes about eight 1-cup servings

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. dried parsley
• 1.5 tsp taco seasoning
• 1.5 tsp dried onion flakes
• 1.5 tsp cumin
• 1.5 tsp paprika
• 1.5 tsp white cornmeal
• 1.5 tsp taco seasoning
• 1.5 tsp garlic granules
• 1.5 tsp chili powder
• 1.5 tsp dried parsley
• ¼ cup dried pinto beans
• 1 Tbsp. small, dried white beans
• 1 Tbsp. small, dried black beans
• ¼ cup dried kidney beans

Directions

Layer the ingredients like sand art. Don’t worry about getting the layers even. The desert effect comes from the rippled appearance of the spices. One tip is to carefully add each seasoning along the edges of the jar. This way all of the beautiful colors show along all of the edges.  

Additional ingredients

1/4 of a medium onion diced, 1 (15-oz) cans diced tomatoes, 1/4 (8 oz.) can of tomato paste, 2 Tbsp. cider vinegar, 2 Tbsp. brown sugar, 12 oz. of tomato juice, 1/2 lb. lean ground beef or turkey, browned.

Cooking Directions

Pour contents of jar into a 3 quart pot. Add ingredients listed above. Fill remainder of the pot with water. Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 2.5-3 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.