Delicious Two Bean Chili

Chili is such a staple this time of year.  Everyone has their favorite recipes and I know that mine is just one of millions of recipes out there.  It isn't anything too fancy or too strange, just a regular old yummy standard red chili. Sometimes it is good to just stick with the classics.    To be honest, I don't really even have a recipe. I tried measuring things tonight just to have a rough recipe to put here.  So if you like more of a certain flavor, add a little more of that ingredient.  That is how chili works, really.

As usual, gather all the ingredients...

Start by chopping up the vegetables.  I use one green pepper and one onion.

Next, begin  browning about a pound of hamburger meat.  We use lean ground beef.  Then once the beef is almost fully cooked, add in the chopped veggies.

While the onions and peppers are cooking, finely chop 4 cloves of garlic.

Add the garlic to the pot.  Stir it around until the garlic becomes fragrant.  Then add in the beef broth.  Use about 2 cups of beef broth.  If you are going to let the chili simmer for a super long time, you might want to add more beef broth.  Also add 1 can of tomato sauce, 1 can of petite diced tomatoes, 1 can of black beans, and 1 can of kidney beans.  Drain and rinse the beans prior to adding them.

 

Stir that around.

 

Then add the seasonings: 1-1/2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons of dried oregano, 2 teaspoons of cumin, 3 tablespoons chili powder, 3/4 teaspoon ground ancho chili pepper, and a splash of cayenne pepper (or more if you like it spicy)

 

Next, put on the lid and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes.  You can let it cook longer, but I typically make this after work and don't have time for the wait.

While it is cooking, prepare any toppings that you might like...

Once it has simmered for a bit, do a little taste test. This is an important part of chili making.  If anything is missing, adjust the seasoning as needed.  I forgot salt!  Add 1 teaspoon of salt.

To thicken the chili, mix about 1/4 cup of masa flour with cold water until its a thick pourable liquid consistency.  Add this to the chili.  If you like it super thick, add more.  If you don't like it thick, add less.

Stir it all together, do another taste test and make any last minute adjustments, and then call it a day!

Scoop into bowls, add toppings, and serve.