My Classic Chili recipe is a combination of Betty Crocker's and Better Homes' cook books along with a little bit of me.
Prep: 25 min
Cook Time: 90 min
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
2 lbs. 90/10 Ground Beef (you can use 85/15 if you prefer more fat)
1 Yellow Onion (1 large or 2 medium)
2 Green Bell Peppers
3-4 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
1-28oz. can Diced Tomatoes, undrained
1-15oz. can Tomato Sauce
2 Tbs. Chili Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Cumin
1/4 - 1 tsp. Cayenne, based on desired heat level
1 tsp. Dried Basil
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Black Pepper
2-15oz. cans Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
Directions:
1. Heat a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. In 3 batches, brown ground beef with onion, peppers and garlic. I do this in 3 batches to make sure the meat gets browned instead of just steamed. Drain each batch into a bowl lined with paper towel.
2. Return meat mixture to dutch oven, add diced tomatoes and next 7 ingredients through black pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
3. Add kidney beans and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes. Serve.
I serve this chili with elbow macaroni (or brown rice elbow macaroni for gluten free), reduced-fat cheddar cheese, a little extra chopped raw onion and sour cream.
Since I am usually only cooking for 2 on weeknights, I still make the full batch and freeze half of the batch for another easy chilly day meal.
Fun Kitchen Gadget:
My friends have always laughed at how many random kitchen gadgets I have and tonight I got to use one of my favorites!! I have to share this with you all. When you chop garlic, do you ever notice how sticky it is and then how your hands smell like garlic for a week no matter how much you wash them? Well, this little gadget will be your new best friend!!!
Introducing the Garlic Zoom:
These are available at amazon.com, and many specialty grocery and general stores for under $10. I use it almost ever time I cook! All you have to do is peel the garlic, pop the cloves into your zoom, and roll it on your cutting board for perfectly minced garlic.
