Chili Con Carne

breezermom's Note:

This serves a lot, so feel free to half the recipe. This is not overly hot unless you add the optional jalapenos and cayenne pepper. Prep time does not include the 8 hours to soak the beans.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 1 lb dried pinto bean
• 6 cups water
• 1 1/2 lbs ground chuck
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup green pepper, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can beef broth, undiluted
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano, crushed
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (optional)

Garnishes

• cheddar cheese, shredded
• sour cream
• avocado, peeled and diced
• green onion, sliced

Directions:

1. Sort and wash the beans; place in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water 2 inches above the beans; let soak for 8 hours.
2. Drain the beans; add 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Drain the beans, reserving 2 1/2 cups liquid. Set beans and liquid aside.
3. Cook the ground chuck, onion, green pepper, garlic, and chopped jalapenos (if using) in a skillet until the meat is browned, stirring to crumble the meat; drain well.
4. Stir in the tomatoes and the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in the reserved beans and liquid. Cover and simmer an additional 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Reviews

[Annacia]

Yummm, chili :D. I made it using vegie crumbles for the meat with all else being the same and it came out great. Really hit the spot last evening after a full afternoon of freezing rain. Topped with some fat reduced cheddar it was filling and oh so yummy. Had to use red bell pepper as that is what I had on hand. This is a marvelous, from scratch, chili to be made on a day when your home and want to say "I made it for you".

[diner524]

This was a big hit at our house, even DH commented how well he liked this chili!!! I made it with dry light red kidney beans (what we like), omitted the bell pepper (DH is not a fan of it) and reduced the oregano in half. I originally added only half of the chili powder and cumin, but after 1st hour, I tasted it and adding the remaining amounts and did go ahead and add the cayenne pepper. I don't care for a real hot spicy chili that numbs the mouth and this didn't put still had a kick and a lot of flavor!! Made for Adopt A Tag in the Games Forum.