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Chili Recipe

1 Large Vidalia Onion (small dice)
1 Green Pepper (small dice)
1 Yellow Bell Pepper (small dice) or Orange Bell Pepper
3 med-large Cloves Garlic (pressed)
2 lbs Ground Round (browned and drained)
1-1.25 lbs. 1/4 in. cut Round Steak (1/4in. cubed and browned and drained)
Kosher Salt
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
3 Tsp Chili Powder (I used from a “2-alarm Chili” starter package)
1/4 Tsp Cumin (I used from a “2-alarm Chili” starter package)
1/4 Tsp Oregano (I used from a “2-alarm Chili” starter package)
1/2 Tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
4-5 dried Chiltepins (small bush grown peppers
5 (.375 oz ) Ghirardelli 60% Dark Chocolate Cocoa Squares
2 Cans Red Kidney Beans (drained and rinsed)
1 Can Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
1 Can Pinto Beans (drained and rinsed)
3 Cans Diced Tomatoes (2 cans petite diced, one can small diced)
1 sm Can Tomato Sauce

I only used one 8 qt. Pot and a few bowls for reserving meat and vegetables. Brown ground beef in pot, then drain off as much liquid/fat as possible and set it aside. Brown cubed round steak in same pot, then drain and set aside with ground beef. Add the onion, green and yellow pepper, and garlic into pot. The residual grease will be enough. Add a pinch of salt an a bit of pepper and let the vegetables sweat until the onions start to become transparent. Add the meat back in and combine and allow to cook a bit. Add all three cans of tomatoes (don’t drain). Allow this to cook for a bit. Add the beans last. Allow this to simmer for about thirty minutes. Add the tomato sauce, chili powder, red pepper flakes, cumin, chiltepins, and oregano. You might want to hold back a bit of each spice to add in the last 15 minutes or so to keep the flavors as fresh as possible. Allow this to simmer for about twenty minutes or so. Add the chocolate one piece at a time allowing it to dissolve in the chili. Simmer for twenty to thirty minutes more. Test for salt and pepper content through the whole process.

Enjoy, or not. Obviously you can make it hotter or milder depending on your taste.

The reason I used three of spices from a starter kit was I know the one I like and it is only $2.00 and it would cost much more to buy all three spices in jars. I used canned beans, because the last three times I cooked them from dried and was never satisfied with the results. I used Kroger brand red kidney beans, Goya brand pinto beans, and Bush brand black beans. You need a brand that gives good whole beans that can take a modicum of punishment without breaking apart.