Slum Goodie

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© Zaroga Goff

My Daddy brought this recipe to our home from the Army. He said the dish was called Slumgullion. But as children cannot pronounce such... we call it Slum Goodie. Many would call it Chili. The recipe can vary from what you have on hand.

Brown one pound of lean ground beef with a large onion (I sometimes add my favorite peppers with the onion & beef) add some garlic toward the end of browning if you wish. Then add either a large can of crushed tomatoes or two cans (14 ½ oz) of stewed tomatoes that have been chopped (stewed tomatoes are my favorite). Add 3 cans (15.5 oz) of kidney beans (or other bean). One can (10 ¾ oz) of condensed tomato soup. In the soup can measure out about a half can of ketchup and add it to the pot. If you want it soupier either add some water or a can of beef broth. Add peppers and / or hot sauce to your taste. If you like chili powder add that... I prefer cumin. Simmer for at least 30 minutes. It is better if it simmers for an hour or two. Works well in the slow cooker. My favorite way for it cooked is for Frank to cook it in the cast iron pot over a camp fire. If you use a cast iron pot make sure it is well seasoned or the dish will take on too much iron taste.

Serve with cornbread or corn chips.

A lot of variants in the recipe because it is made with whatever is handy.

If you have leftovers (1/3 to half of the Slum Goodie) you can place in a 8"x8" dish (dish shown is a pyrex 2.75 qt about 7 1/2" x 8 1/12") and top with this:

Corn Bread Topping:
2/3 cups flour
1/3 cup yellow corn meal
1 tablespoon sugar*
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons of butter softened.

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Pour over the Slum Goodie and bake at 425 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

* I omit sugar.  Is just a suggested amount if you like corn meal cake instead of corn bread ;)

© Zaroga Goff