Super Easy Chili

In preparation for a family get-to-gether I made a batch of chili. It was a pot luck and three people were asked to bring soup. I didn't have a lot of time, so I thought this would fill the bill and be easy enough to do.

Ingredients:

1 lb of ground beef (or pork sausage, or ground turkey)
2 cans black beans
1 can Mexican style canned tomatoes
2 cans diced tomatoes
dried onion - 1tablespoon
chili powder 1tsp
garlic powder 1/2 tsp
black pepper 1/4 tsp

Optional:

beef bullion instead of salt - to taste.
cumin to taste.
bell peppers, diced

Brown the ground meat. Drain off the grease.

In a saucepan or kettle add the canned beans and tomatoes. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring so it doesn't stick to the pan.

Add the onions, measured spices and the ground meat. Let it cook for 10 minutes or so to let all of the flavors start to mix.

If you want more of a chili taste, without the peppery heat, add more cumin than chili powder. For a medium hot chili, add only chili powder and no cumin. For a really zippy chili, add one or two jalapeno peppers. If you are truly insane, add habenaro peppers and don't be surprised at anything. And don't touch your eyes.

You can easily multiply this recipe out until you are feeding an army. You can also add leftover spaghetti sauce, or even spaghetti, tomato based soups..... lots of things in the fridge. The key to chili tasting like chili is the cumin. If you have a little oregano, basil or other tomato friendly spices in the mix, it won't hurt a thing. Rice and canned corn are good to add to. Have fun