Cold Day Chili

What images come to your mind when you think of "winter-foods?"  Most likely you are thinking about something hearty. Something warm. For me...

it is chili, which I made last weekend during the three-day snowstorm. It was absolutely delicious! I sort of combined 3 recipes (one from Food Network, one from my dad and one from my cousin Morgan), and then added some things of my own. That's the great thing about cooking chili. It is basically idiot-proof, and a perfect thing to make when you are having one of "those" days.

here is the recipe for you to enjoy:

ingredients:

1 tbsp. olive OR vegetable oil

3 cloves garlic

2/3 cup red onion

2/3 cup green bell pepper

chili powder

garlic salt

crushed red pepper flakes

Old El Paso taco seasoning

1/8 tsp oregano

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes

1 can black beans

1 can dark red kidney beans
Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. butter

Directions:

1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-low (4 out of 10 on my stove) heat until hot. 

2. Add garlic, and then about 30 seconds later add onions and the bell pepper. Stir occasionally edges are soft. 

3. Add the spices. The amount is up to you but I started with 2 tsp. chili powder, 2 tsp. taco seasoning, and a sprinkling of the red pepper and garlic salt. Stir together, with the vegetables. At this point I also added 2 tbsp. of butter.

4. Add the tomatoes (WITH THE JUICE!) stir and then drain the two cans of beans. Just strain them with the can's top that way a small amount of the liquid stays with them. Add them to the pot.

5. thick chili- Turn up the heat to a little more than medium (6 on my stove), keep the cover off, add some Parmesan cheese and let it reduce (get thicker). 

soupy chili- keep the lid on. The taco seasoning will help to thicken the chili as well so use sparingly. 

6. Stir and "taste-test" frequently adding spices as needed. It's done when it tastes right, and the green peppers are soft (about 20 minutes).

7. Serve and Enjoy! Some yummy toppings include: Cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips (crumbled), and it also tastes great over a bed of lettuce!

makes about 4 servings.