Easy and delicious chili

Chili is one of my favorite winter foods.  There is something so satisfying about sitting by the fire with an adult beverage and a bowl of warm chili with all the fixings!  I like all kinds of chili, Mexican chili with chorizo and posole, or funked up chili with beer or chocolate.  However, this basic  recipe is one I turn to again and again.  This recipe is quick, easy and delicious.  With mostly pantry ingredients you can have dinner ready to eat in no time and with minimal effort.

You will need:

At least 1 chopped onion
3 cans of beans (a mix of kidney, black and white) rinsed and drained
1 lb of beef
A large can of crushed tomatoes
Water as needed

That's it!!

Optional items include:
spices:  chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic
tomato paste
chicken stock (or other stock)
a can of corn
shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips for serving

To make this beauty chop up the onion, throw it in a heavy pot with a little bit of oil to start softening the onions.  After a minute or two add the ground beef and mush it around until it is brown and the onions are sufficiently soft.

Next, add in the beans and crushed tomatoes.

If the beans and meat are not completely covered with liquid, then add in a little bit of water or stock.  Simmer until thickened to your liking.

Optionally you can add in the spices as you brown the beef, and add in a little bit of tomato paste for richness when you add the tomatoes.  Sometimes when the chili is done cooking I drain a can of corn and throw that in just long enough to warm up the corn.

Pro tip: Don't forget to rinse the beans.  This gets rid of extra salt and starch that you don't really want in your dinner!

For serving, you can add cheese and sour cream and scoop it all up with tortilla chips, or you can enjoy it just as it is out of the pot.

Cheers!