My Favorite Chili

I can't remember where I even found this recipe. I've had it for years, floating around my kitchen, handwritten on a scrap of yellow paper. I love this recipe, and I think it could hold it's own in a chili cook-off! 

I figured it was time to give it a proper place!

Chili

2 lbs browned ground meat
1 (46 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (29oz) can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 C chopped onion
1/4 C bell pepper
1/4 C chili powder
2 t cumin
1 1/2 t garlic powder
1t salt
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 t oregano
1/8 t cayenne (more if you like it to bite you)
1T brown sugar
2C beans

Dump it all in, heat it all up. Done!



Here are some of my additions and changes, because I can't just leave a recipe alone. You can do whatever you want with your chili, it's your life. I'm not about to tell someone how to make their chili! ;) But here's what I do! 

Obviously, I typically use deer or elk meat. I suppose sausage would be good too. Or no meat and go vegetarian with it (blasphemy…..).

I use WAY more bell pepper than 1/4 C, but I like bell peppers a lot. 

Sometimes i throw in a couple handfuls of shredded zucchini or carrots to give it a bit more balanced nutrition.

I don't usually use canned beans because dry beans are cheaper, and I'm a cheap wad. I soak them overnight and use the whole bag (usually red kidney beans). I don't know if it's close to 2 C or not, but it works out well. 

I usually do it in the crock pot too. Prepare it all in the morning and let it simmer all day. 

THEN I serve it with cornbread, sour cream, and shredded cheese! YUM!