I’m not going to incite a debate here as to whether chili should or should not have beans. But according to the Google Machine…. [Just Kidding. You do you and hey, if you want to put cocoa or beans or broccoli or beer in your chili, go on and do that.]
But really, chili is super versatile and you truly can be experimental. Aside from adding something like grasshoppers, I think it’s hard to mess up a chili.
Here’s one of my “go to” throw togethers that is relatively easy to prepare and delish on the palate.
Ingredients:
1-2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
small white or yellow onion (or 1/2 of large onion), diced
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp chili powder, more if you like
1 tsp cumin
optional jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped (don’t touch your eyes like I often do on accident)
1 lb ground meat of choice
other veggies such as sliced carrots, mushrooms, bell pepper, sweet potato - seriously, you can add more veggies than onion and tomatoes
canned tomatoes: I use a 28 oz can of fire roasted diced tomatoes and a 14.5 oz can of regular diced tomatoes (organic) but you can adjust as you like
2-3 c broth of choice, low sodium
1 c water, adjust broth and water depending on “thickness” preference
1-2 cans of beans (14.5 oz size - kidney, pinto, black, or whatever you like), drained and rinsed
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation Steps:
Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, herbs/spices, garlic and sauté until “fragrant” (2-3 minutes). Add ground meat and sauté until brown. Transfer contents of skillet to slow cooker.
Add all of the other goodies to the slow cooker and give it a few stirs. If you like more liquid-y chili, you can add more broth or liquid.
Set the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. Let it roll and go on with your day.
When ready to enjoy, dish out into your favorite bowl and optionally top with cheese, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, olives… [drooling over here].
Let me know your favorite additions to chili or if you have a special ingredient that knocks the socks off your taste buds! And also, check out my version of a white chicken chili recipe for another idea.
-Dina