Chili.

When I cook, 9 times out of 10 I am just throwing stuff together and it somehow works out. The nice part of this is that I can easily throw things together and make a meal out of items we have on hand. The bad part is, I have zero recipes written down. My hope (wishful thinking maybe) is that one day, our kids will actually enjoy chili (step one, lol) and one day want the recipe for themselves. …Or not, and that’s all fine too, the recipes can just live here, out of my head for eternity. However, with that all in mind, I decided to start taking the time to write down what the heck I’m making, when I’m making it. …At least for some of the meals that are on our regular rotations anyway - Just in case my wishes come true!

ingredients.

2 cans (28oz each) of Whole peeled tomatoes

1 can (15oz) Tomato sauce

1 can (15oz) Kidney beans, drained

1 can (15oz) Pinto beans, drained

1 can (15oz) Black beans, drained

1.5 lbs. of Ground beef or Ground Turkey

1 Green pepper

1 large Onion

2 small Zucchini or large equivalent

2 1/2-3 tbsp. Chili powder (I use Noble Made’s Classic Chili Seasoning, purchased at Whole Foods)

3 tbsp. Brown sugar

2 tbsp. Cumin

1 tbsp. Garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp. Salt

Pepper to taste

Heat olive in a large soup pot or dutch oven. Add chopped onion, green pepper and zucchini and cook for 5 minutes. Add ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes. Add Tomato Sauce, chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper. Stir until well combined. Add Whole peeled tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans and black beans. Stir well. (I also break apart the whole tomatoes too) Simmer for 25-30 minutes. Let chili rest for 10 minutes before serving. This makes a big ole’ batch. …Which we love for chili, because it’s one of those things that we think tastes even better the next day. I’d say serves 8-10 depending on how big your bowls are ;)

We also love to top our chili before enjoying it. Items to consider: Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, diced avocado, mild jalapeños, saltine crackers, oyster crackers and our favorite…homemade garlic toast croutons.

Perfect for these bitter cold Winter days and looming snow storms…

Enjoy! xo. e.