Recipe for 4-Food-Groups-Meal on Toast

I'm always looking for new ways to use leftovers because I dislike eating reruns repeatedly. So, looking for a new use for leftover chili, I came up with this dish that incorporates all four food groups.

I make my chili using ground chuck. When it is browned, I pour hot water over it and drain it through a strainer or colander to remove as much fat as possible. Then I add chopped onions or dried chopped onions, a large can of tomato juice, a package of Williams Chili Seasoning, and some catsup (1/2 to 1 cup) and simmer it for an hour or so. (The amount of catsup depends on how much I have or the mood I'm in.) Finally I add a can or two of pinto beans or some home-cooked ones. But other kinds of beans could be used.

These can be made in a toaster oven or under a broiler. I use a toaster oven.

Recipe:

Step 1: Toast both sides of as many slices of bread as you need. (I usually eat one and my husband eats two.)

Step 2: Lay a slice of cheese on each slice of toast and put back under heat source. Heat till cheese is slightly melted.

Step 3: Spoon about 2 heaping tablespoonsful of preheated chili on top of each cheese slice.

Step 4: Top each cheese slice with sliced fresh tomatoes and return to heat source till tomatoes are heated through.

Serve immediately while hot. Enjoy!

Information on food groups:

The chili contains meat and beans from group 1, onions and tomato juice from group 4.

The cheese is from group 2, the dairy group.

The bread is from group 3, the grains group. Whole wheat bread is a more healthful choice, but we prefer white.

The tomatoes are also from group 4, which includes vegetables and fruits.