Crockpot Gourmet Chili

This recipe is my own creation for healthy low fat chili with gourmet toppings. Regular chili needs to be dressed up for flavor and fun! The base recipe is very mild for the sensitive pallet. It is easy to make a 5-alarm version by adding cayenne or your favorite habanero sauce. Or, make everyone happy and serve the "super hot sauce" as an additional optional topping. The cool sour cream and tomatoes offset the heat of the chili.

• Ready In: 11 hrs
• Serves: 8-10
• Yields: 4-5 quarts

Ingredients

• Chili

• 1  large onion, chopped small
• 3  fresh garlic cloves, crushed
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 2  lbs  pork tenderloin, trimmed of all fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 (15 ounce) cans  low fat chili with meat and  beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1  cup  frozen super  sweet corn
• 1  tablespoon mild chili powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon  fine ground black pepper
• 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

• Toppings

• 2  cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1⁄2 cup green olives, sliced
• 1⁄2 cup black olives, sliced
• 2  small avocados, diced
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped fresh cilantro
• 1  cup  sweet grape tomatoes, diced
• 3  green onions, sliced thin
• 1  red bell pepper, diced
• 2  fresh jalapeno peppers, sliced
• 1  fresh habanero pepper, sliced with gloves
• 2  cups  natural sour cream, such as daisy brand
•  hot sauce such as Tabasco sauce, served in bottle
• 1  lb  oyster crackers, such as trader joe's

Directions

1. Heat oil in cast iron skillet or your favorite sautee pan. Sautee onion and garlic until translucent and garlic is fragrant. Do not brown the garlic as it will become bitter.
2. Place pork tenderloin and all remaining ingredients in 5 quart crockpot.
3. Add sauteed onion and garlic, stir gently.
4. Set crockpot on low heat and let cook for 8-10 hours, until pork tenderloin is soft.
5. Put toppings in individual dishes or in a lazy suzan. Serve chili in bowls and allow guests to choose their toppings. This makes a great fun community meal!