Epic Chili Recipe

Great

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Combine all spices (except bay leaves) in a bowl.

Step 2

Combine the vegetables (diced red onion, diced green bell pepper, and pressed/minced garlic) in another bowl.

Step 3

In a frying pan (or favourite cooking gear), cook the ground lean beef (or preferred protein) over medium-high heat. As it cooks, break up the meat with a spatula so that it’s reasonably well cooked and in small bits (unless you prefer larger chunks of ground meat). Drain any fat during the cooking process. Once cooked, transfer the meat to a large slow cooker, crockpot, Dutch oven, or similar.

Step 4

Add a few tablespoons of the drained fat back into the frying pan. Add the vegetables (red onion, green bell pepper, and garlic). Also add the combined spices (except bay leaves). Cook for approximately 6 minutes, constantly stirring the mixture with a spatula. Do not allow this to burn. Adjust heat accordingly. At approximately the 6 minute mark, the vegetables should be soft. Transfer this mixture on top of the meat in the slow cooker.

Step 5

With the heat still on, pour some of the beef broth into the frying pan and use a spatula to lift up any of the clinging mixture to the bottom and sides of the pan. Pour this into the slow cooker. You may need to deglaze the frying pan a couple of times before you have all the remnants loosened from the frying pan.

Step 6

Pour the rest of the beef broth into the slow cooker.

Step 7

You can break up the whole peeled tomatoes with a potato masher, your hands, or a few seconds in a blender. Add this to the slow cooker.

Step 8

Add all of the drained and rinsed (a sieve works great) beans to the slow cooker.

Step 9

Add the corn (from can or frozen) to the slow cooker.

Step 10

Use the spatula or a large spoon to combine everything in the slow cooker.

Step 11

Add approximately ½-1 tablespoon of honey (I find it useful to heat slightly in the microwave until it is liquid) to the slow cooker, continue mixing everything. The honey will cut the acidity of the tomatoes.

Step 12

Add the bay leaves on top, pushing gently into the mixture so that the leaves are just covered.

Step 13

Slow cook for at least 8 hours. Stir occasionally if you wish, taste testing along the way.

Step 14

For thicker chili, increase the temperature toward the end to cook off some of the fluid.

Step 15

Garnish as desired. Some suggestions are chopped green onions, cilantro, sour cream, and sharp shredded cheese although marble can be nice too.

Step 16

Also great with tortilla chips or crusty bread.

Step 17

Freezes really well! In fact, it seems to taste better after it’s been frozen, thawed, and reheated. Go figure.

Step 18

Make a huge batch (I double the above recipe and freeze for quick meals for two).

Step 19

For a vegetarian meal replace the 1-1 ½ pounds of meat protein with more beans and/or other vegetables.

Step 20

Replace the 1 litre beef broth with a vegetable broth.