Hoosier Chili

There's a 100 different ways to make chili, but this recipe is the gold standard in Southern Indiana. This is my personal family rendition of it, but most hoosiers cook up something very similar to this on those cold winter days in the midwest.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 20

Ingredients

• 2  lbs hamburger
• 2 (12 ounce) cans chili beans
• 1 (12 ounce) can black beans
• 2  whole onions
• 2  bell peppers
• 1  quart tomatoes, canned from the garden
• 1 (14 ounce) can tomatoes and green chilies
• 6  jalapeno peppers
• 2  teaspoons chili powder
• 1  teaspoon black pepper
• 1  teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 3⁄4 cup spaghetti
• 6  cups water

Directions

1. In a very large Soup pot, begin browning the hamburger on medium high. As the hamburger is browning, chop all the onions and peppers coarsely or finely, according to your liking.
2. Stir in the onions and peppers when the hamburger is almost browned and allow to saute in the meat juices.
3. Pour in the tomatoes, beans, and water when the hamburger is completely browned. Stir and allow to simmer for a few minutes and then add all of the spices. Once the chili has begun to boil break the spaghetti into small pieces and add. Spaghetti is the standard, but any pasta can optionally be tossed inches.
4. Now turn the heat down to medium low, and continue to stir and simmer for at least 20 minutes. 20 minutes is the quick and dirty for weekday family suppers, but the chili only gets better the longer it cooks. On a rare lazy Saturday afternoon, I will give it 2 hrs, remembering to stir it every few minutes so it doesn't scorch on the bottom of the pot.
5. Once it is done, serve with crumbled saltine crackers, chopped onions, jalapenos, and shredded cheese as optional toppings. This makes a great family meal and lunches for the rest of the week, or cook it ahead and bring to a gathering or tailgate party during football season. Us Indiana folk wouldn't make it through the winter without this stick to your ribs hearty chili.