Yummy, Yummy Chili

Don’t you just love fall? The leaves are beginning to change, leaving a kaleidoscope of color everywhere and I can pull my favorite hoodie out of the back of the closet.  Man, I love being snuggled up in an oversized hoodie.  But there is one other thing that I’ll be pulling out and that is my chili recipe.  There is nothing better than walking inside from playing in the leaves and smelling a wonderful chili on the stove.  It puts a little skip in my step.

Well, I’ve changed my chili recipe over the years that I’ve been married, trying to find the best fit for my family.  Drama is a picky eater.  I know what they say about making them sit there until they eat but it won’t work for her.  Once I ‘made’ her take a bite of tuna and she gagged on it until…well I need not tell you more.  So I’ve always tried to make things that I know she will like.   My dear husband is also a picky eater.  Well that’s not completely true.  He just doesn’t like to try new foods.  He knows what he likes and he likes to stick with it.  So with that all in mind, I have made the best chili for my family.  I hope you like it.

1 pound ground beef or turkey

1 large can of tomatoes stewed

1 can of black beans

1 can of red beans

1 can of corn

1 yellow onion, chopped into very small pieces (if Drama or Big Bro know they are in there they won’t eat it but it’s a must for my husband)

2 pack of McCormick Mild Chili seasoning mix

3-4 splashes of hot sauce (we like it HOT) J

2 cup water

Start by browning the meat in a large skillet.  While the meat is browning put everything but the seasoning mix and one cup of the water into a large pot or your Crockpot on high.  When meat is browned, drain and put back on the heat. Add 1 cup of water to the meat and both seasoning mixes.  I like to add it to the meat first because you can be sure that it gets mixed up really well and you won’t get unseasoned pieces of meat in you chili.  Once you have it all mixed and your ingredients in the Crockpot are nice and warm, mix everything together.  Let it simmer in the Crockpot all day if you like or if you need it quicker, heat on the stove top on med-high for an hour.  Of course it’s better to let it cook all day. This will make a lot of chili so be prepared to have leftovers.

Serve with toppings.  My family favorites are crackers, corn chips, shredded cheese and sour cream.  Leave a comment and let me know what your family’s favorite toppings are. 

With all this talk of chili I’ve decided to make it for dinner.  What’s for dinner at your house?