The Best-ish Chili on the Planet!

Chili is that one dish I make constantly when the weather starts to cool. It's the perfect balanced one pot meal that saves you time, money, and cleaning. And if you're lazy like me, this will save you from having to stand for hours in the kitchen when you'd rather be lying on the couch cuddled up to a bag of Hot Cheetos and a can of Dr. Pepper. 

Here in Southern California, cool weather is a rare occurrence, so I don't get to make it as often as I'd like. I guess I could make it more often, but who the hell wants to eat piping hot food when it's 110 outside? 

NOT THIS DUDE! 

It's taken me years, and a stint in culinary school to perfect my chili recipe. I prefer more beans to meat, and I prefer heat over sweet every day all day. This chili is a product of all my preferences, with a dash of all the different chili recipes I've tried in my lifetime. It's super simple, and super duper tasty. 

Give it a go. 

Servings- A shit ton. This fills my 6 qt pot. 

Ingredients- 

2 28 oz cans of tomato sauce

2 14 oz cans of *diced tomatoes 

2 cans each of pinto, light red kidney, and ranch style beans. 

1 small white onion, chopped 

1 *bell pepper chopped

1-2 lbs of *meat

1 packet of *chili/taco seasoning 

1-2 tsp cayenne pepper, depending on your heat preference

1/2 tbsp each of paprika and chili powder

1 tbsp each of oregano, onion and garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

oil for pot 

*Optional toppings. The topping opportunities are endless- 

Cheese 

Sour cream

Chopped onions

Corn chips 

Jalapeños 

Saltine crackers

Small child

****flavored diced tomato options like "Mexican style" go great in this recipe. The jalapeños give you a nice kick in the teeth.

**** any color bell pepper works. The flavor varies slightly. The color is only an indication of ripeness. But it's the basically same taste/texture. I like to use orange around halloween, and red around Christmas. Festive as fuck! 

**** I tend to use 1 lb of meat as I prefer more beans per bite. And if you want a lower fat version, use ground chicken/turkey/ lean sirloin. We're not big red meat eaters, so turkey is usually our go to. Season it well so it doesn't taste like soggy ass socks! You can forego meat altogether and make it a vegetarian/vegan dish. 

**** flavor packets usually have the same base ingredients (salt, pepper, chili powder,etc.).  If you don't have a packet, utilize your spice cupboard. 

Method-

In a large stock pot, cook onions and bell peppers until soft

Add meat, season meat with S&P, then cook all the way through 

Add EVERYTHING else to the pot and stir it up.

Let simmer for at least an hour. If you're short on time, turn the heat up to about medium flame and heat all the way through. Be sure to stir occasionally so you don't burn the shit out of the bottom.

All you have left to do now is grab a good book, or flip on Netflix (no chill though, chili=gas), kick your feet up in your favorite chair with a warm blanket, and relax while you eat every last bite of this delicious chili. You're welcome.