Thrifty Maven

The Canned Food Alliance has created an interesting VIDEOto explain the story of canned foods – from the farmer’s field to the family’s dinner table.

If you have a few moments it’s well worth the time it takes to watch because there really are a lot of misconceptions about canned foods. For example, I learned the following from the video:

* Beans go through a seven step cleansing process and are sorted before going to the canning facility.
* Beans are high in fiber, fat free and can be used straight from the can.
* Tomatoes are picked at their prime to not lose nutrients and are cleaned prior to the canning process.
* Did you know that canned pumpkin contains three times more vitamin A than fresh? Wow that’s amazing
* I also didn’t realize that canned blueberries offer higher levels of antioxidants that do fresh blueberries

I’ve been asked byTwitterMoms to share with you a favorite recipe that contains at least two canned food ingredients. I decided to go three better. The recipe I’m choosing to share with you is a recipe that’s frugal and as easy as 1-2-3 (4, 5). It’s a chili recipe that even the kids can make.

It’s So Easy Chili

Ingredients

•1 can (32 ounce) red or black beans (drained)
•1 (32ounce) can pinto beans, drained
•1 can sweet corn (15 ounce drained)
•1 can (26 oz) family sized condensed tomato soup
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes in tomato puree
• Green Chillies – medium finely chopped
• chili powder (1 tsp)

Directions:

1. Simply lightly fry the green chilies then combine all the ingredients in the pan and heat thoroughly. You can make it more or less spicy depending on how much chili powder you add.

About Canned Food Alliance

The Canned Food Alliance is a partnership of the American Iron and Steel Institute’s Steel Packaging Council, the Can Manufacturers Institute, select food processors and affiliate members. The CFA serves as a resource for information on the nutrition, convenience, contemporary appeal and versatility of canned food. The CFA is a proud supporter of the Produce for Better Health Foundation and the Fruits and Veggies More Matters program. For hundreds of mealtime solutions, visit www.mealtime.org.

To keep in line with the FCC rules I want my readers to know that I am participating in a recipe contest through TwitterMoms, however, ALL opinions expressed in this post are my own.