Howdy there darlin's,

Well, by now y'all probably figgered out I don't go shoppin' fer my food in them fancy markets with fancy prices ta match. No sirrreeee! Why, I head right ta the dollar stores where I most usually find big surprises--mighty fine surprises. Them dollar stores is all over the country--y'all jes has to go a-huntin' an' I'm shure you'll find one near by.

Fer instance, last month I done found 15-ounce cans o' Aunt Penney's organic beans an' they's as vegan as they could be with nothin' but beans, water, an' salt in that ingredients list!

I done bought 2 dozen of 'em. There was black beans, an' kidney beans, an' garbanzo beans, an' great northern beans an' they was a dollar each. That, child, is my idea of a bargin. Now, mind, y'all has ta look mighty carefully at all them labels, 'cause plenty o' them canned foods in them stores is a fur piece from vegan.

That shoppin' trip I came home with 6 o' them big 28-ounce cans o' whole tomaters, too. I tell ya true--there's bargins out there an' if'n ya look, why, you'll find 'em.

An' fer my fruits an' veggies, I kin find bargins a-plenty. I'm mighty lucky ta be livin' in a big city like Los Angeles where I kin find grocery stores from all over the world. An' oh! them low, low prices near to make my heart sing an my dollars stretch. Last week, the Korean market close-by had peaches, plums, an' nectarines fer .50 cents a pound. Well, you kin imagine how happy I was ta bring a heapin' sack o' them home.

Now, here's what I'm excited ta tell y'all. I put some o' them beans an' tomaters together an' come up with 'nother way ta feed yer darlin' little family a mighty fine tastin' bowl o' chili--why, jes turn it inter a soup! That's what! No one gonna complain, 'cause it tastes mighty fine and shure fills the belly.

Now y'all go a-huntin' fer them bargins an' set yerself down with a nice bowl o' my Chili Pot Purry. Be shure ta save me a tad--it's one o' my favorite soups!

Yer ever lovin' Aunt Nettie

This super-easy and very homey chili is one that's especially good for people who don't have the time to spend fussing over a lengthy or difficult recipe. You can even serve this over pasta or splash it over a baked potato or cooked grains.

Yield: 6 servings

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons water
1 (12-ounce, 340g) package of Yves Meatless Ground Round Original or 1 (14-ounce, 395g) chub Lightlife GimeLean Beef or Sausage flavor

2 (1-pound, 450g) cans kidney beans, with liquid
2 (1-pound 12 ounce, 800g) cans diced or crushed tomatoes
1 (1-pound 14-ounce, 850g) can chili beans, with liquid

Seasoning Mix
6 tablespoons instant minced onion
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Garnish
1 cup (240 ml) chopped onions
1 cup (240 ml) shredded vegan cheddar cheese

1. Combine the oil, water, and Yves Meatless Ground in an 8 to 10-quart (8 to 10 liter) stockpot and cook over high heat for 1 minute.
2. Add the kidney beans, tomatoes, and chili beans to the stockpot, along with the Seasoning Mix. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently.
3. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer gently 15 to 20 minutes to develop full flavor.
4. Spoon the chili into individual bowls and garnish each with chopped onions and shredded cheddar, if desired.

Nowadays, Aunt Nettie just shakes her head and complains, "Nobody cooks anymore. They have no idea about puttin' a meal together." She's on a mission. She wants to help those younguns eat better so they can grow up healthy like her own eight kids.