6 bert recipes

It's not a secret that my neighbors Chili is a potluck fav.

Bert Greene's peppered chili layers ground beef and beef shoulder strips with three different chiles (mild ground, caribe, fresh serrano). Slow-baked three hours with red wine, fresh tomatoes, and herbs. Kidney beans go in last. A serious cook's chili.

Bert's homemade barbecue sauce: cider vinegar, ketchup, butter, real lemon and onion slices, mustard, and Worcestershire. A tangy-rich Southern-style sauce that simmers in twenty minutes.

Bangin' Bart is a home cook's take on Baigan Bartha, the Indian eggplant and tomato stew slow-cooked until thick enough to use as a dip. A simple, vegan, one-pan dish with deep flavor.

Hearty navy bean stew with browned Italian sausage, carrots, corn, and chicken broth, oven-baked in a Dutch oven until thick and bubbly. A cold-weather crowd-pleaser.

No-beat chocolate fudge with semi-sweet chocolate, marshmallows, walnuts, and candied cherries. Just stir, pour, and set. Makes three pounds of rich, smooth fudge for holiday gifting.