Because we are not bound by a single ingredient damn-it!
I think maybe the first thing I remember learning how to cook was Chili. I have been making it since I was 10 years old (about a billion years ago). Chili is easy to make. Chili never goes out of style. Chili is underrated. Chili is like an old friend or a cozy bean filled sweater (and not that’s not some sort of weird euphemism). Don’t sleep on chili people! Chili is delicious. We may be snobs here but we LOVE chili.
So let’s stop saying chili, and let’s make chili.
… … …chili…
Sorry. Here we go.
Ingredients:
-1 lb. Ground turkey, or beef (either of which is optional because chili should be universal! In this day and age we must embrace ALL walks of life. Even Vegans! GIVE PEAS A CHANCE! Maybe no peas in this recipe but in general).
-2 cans of black beans (3 if you go the meatless vegetarian route. I’m gonna be honest here gang, I don’t miss the meat when I don’t add it and I NEVER say that... in life OR in cooking).
-5 Tbsp. or two packets of low sodium Chili seasoning (you can use homemade if you’re fancy. I do this often. There are lots of wonderful recipes online. But full disclosure and I feel like I have said this before, those packets are a just so easy. This may be contrary to popular belief but it’s OK to take some kitchen shortcuts. Don’t hate me! I know it’s controversial but let’s throw caution to the wind and save some damn time! FREE AT LAST FREE AT LAST! …sorry guys, I keep getting carried away).
-1 tsp. Chipotle seasoning (this is spicy. Proceed with caution)
-2 caps full of Liquid smoke (see I told you we would use this ingredient in another recipe! Yay! I’m a woman of my word… this time).
-1 large onion (diced).
-2 bell peppers (also diced… and in case you don’t know this means to cut into tiny squares).
-Salt and pepper to taste (the lack of measurement makes me nutso however this is really a matter of preference… just don’t mess it up).
-2 tbsp. Olive oil.
-2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce.
Directions:
Heat a large pot (this is another time I use my fancy cast iron Dutch oven) over medium heat.
Once the pot is hot, add 2 tbsp. olive oil, your diced onion and peppers (if you’re shallow like me, we care about how this looks. As a result I would advise you use more than one color pepper. Perhaps one red or green. It looks like a fiesta!).
Add 1 tsp. of chipotle powder and 1 tbsp. of the chili seasoning (a little less than half the packet) and stir well (adding some of the spices at this stage helps toast them a little, and deepen the flavor. Plus it smells good).
NOTE: If you are making the vegetarian version of this, please completely ignore the next direction. Use this brief moment to take a big sip of your properly chilled adult beverage, I’ll be with you momentarily.
Once the veggies are softened add in your 1 lb. ground turkey or beef. Add in another 1.5 tbsp. (the rest of the first packet), of chili seasoning, and cook the meat of your choosing (BTW, Meat of Your Choosing would make a killer band name) until brown.
NOTE: Vegetarians! You may now return to your regularly scheduled recipe. I hope you enjoyed the break. Please take a short moment to add 1.5 tbsp. (or the rest of your first seasoning packet to the pot).
Drain the two (or three for the herbivores out there) cans of black beans (or pinto beans or white beans or a variety of beans) and add them to the pot. Stir in and let cook for a minute or so.
Add two caps-full of liquid smoke. (This is totally optional if you don’t want your chili to have something special I suppose. But I know you do, so why fight it?).
Pour in the two 15 oz. cans of tomato sauce, the remainder of the chili seasoning and stir.
Cover and simmer on low for about 20 minutes or until your veggies are tender (man I hate the word tender. It makes me so uncomfortable… I don’t know why…).
Taste the chili and add any necessary salt and pepper.
Serve this in a bowl with cheese and sour cream. Serve this over chips with cheese and sour cream. Serve this on a piece of cardboard with cheese and sour cream (Cheese and sour cream really take this to the next level… you don’t have to have them if you don’t do dairy but if you DO and you don’t add cheese and sour cream, you would be wrong).
Pour yourself another adult beverage and enjoy!
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