Illini Union Chili

Yes, from the Illini Union cafeteria at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Got my bachelor's there, worked there for 12 years, got my master's there and this mild, yummy soothing chili was a mainstay. Still is, only now I make it myself. I generally make at least a double and often a triple batch because it freezes beautifully. I also use about half light red and half dark red kidney beans, just because. For authenticity, serve with fritos. Also excellent with hot corn bread. A really good variation is to add some small-diced raw green pepper and halved or quartered fresh grape tomatoes for a bit of a crunch and nice freshness, when serving.
- Ready In:
- 3hrs 15mins
- Serves:
- Units:
5
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ingredients
- 1 1⁄4 lbs ground chuck
- 1⁄2 cup chopped onion
- 2 -3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup tomato puree (or sauce)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (mild)
- 2 -3 teaspoons salt
- 1 1⁄2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 3 1⁄2 cups kidney beans, undrained
- 1 1⁄2 cups water
directions
- Lightly brown ground chuck in large skillet.
- Add chopped onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
- Add tomato puree, chili powder, salt, ground cumin and water.
- Add kidney beans and mix.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 hours.
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RECIPE MADE WITH LOVE BY
@BarbryT
Contributor
@BarbryT
Contributor
"Yes, from the Illini Union cafeteria at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Got my bachelor's there, worked there for 12 years, got my master's there and this mild, yummy soothing chili was a mainstay. Still is, only now I make it myself. I generally make at least a double and often a triple batch because it freezes beautifully. I also use about half light red and half dark red kidney beans, just because. For authenticity, serve with fritos. Also excellent with hot corn bread.
A really good variation is to add some small-diced raw green pepper and halved or quartered fresh grape tomatoes for a bit of a crunch and nice freshness, when serving."
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Made this for our lunch and I did add some onions and jalapenos otherwise I followed the instructions. DH felt that it needed a little more spice I thought it was fine. Maybe my chili powder was old...it was almost gone. Anyway we enjoyed this. Thank you for posting. Made for 2014 Zaar Cookbook Tag game.Reply
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This is a thicker chili that I cooked in my crock pot on low. I used tomato sauce, a bit more chili powder, omitted the salt, and used about a tablespoon of cumin. Added the green pepper along with the onions and garlic when browning the ground chuck. Right before serving I also added the grape tomatoes just to warm thru. Thank you Barbry T for a nice chili recipe.Reply
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