My Take on Texas Chili

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 60 Minutes

Ready In: 90 Minutes

Servings: 12

This recipe has evolved over a number of years from a chili recipe that I think my Mom (Chef PaulaG) got from a *Make a Mix* cookbook. It takes a while to prepare, but I think it's well worth it. It works in the slow-cooker (if you have a big one). You can substitute leftover pulled pork for the ground meat for a tasty variation. I usually serve it over mac and cheese with cornbread. You can freeze this in portions if you are a once-a-month cook.

Ingredients:

1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans

1 (15 ounce) can white beans

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans

1 (15 ounce) can black beans

2 (15 ounce) cans ranch style beans (or chili starter beans)

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 unsweetened chocolate square

1 (12 ounce) bottle stout beer

3 tablespoons flour

4 1/2 teaspoons dried ancho chile powder

4 teaspoons seasoning salt

1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 lbs lean ground beef (can substitute ground turkey or vegetarian alternative)

2 green bell peppers, chopped

1 whole red onion, chopped

6 garlic cloves, minced

Directions:

1. Combine all of the beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, baking chocolate and stout in a very large stew pot and set them to simmer over medium heat.
2. Combine all of the dry ingredients (flour through cayenne pepper) in a small dish, mixing well.
3. Brown the ground beef with the seasoning mix, drain and add to the pot.
4. Saute the peppers, onion and garlic in the pan used to brown the meat over medium heat until onion is translucent and the peppers just begin to brown around the edges, add to the pot.
5. Simmer the chili over low heat for at least an hour before serving, the longer the better.

By RecipeOfHealth.com