Eye On Recipes - Hearty Chili

Hello All,

This is my first recipe lens of many to come. I hope that you will enjoy these rainy day recipes as much as I do. Please post your comments to let me know how I am doing. I would love to hear your feedback.

I would like to start with one of my absolute favorites, a steamy bowl of Chili. So grab your beers (or soda for the kids) out of the fridge and lets get cookin'. Below I have listed all of the ingredients needed:

2 lbs ground beef (or Turkey)
2 large onions (bite size dice)
2 green peppers (bite size dice)
2 large cans of whole tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
1 can tomato paste
3 ounces dark chocolate (shaved)
1 bottle of good beer (I know, I know - sacrifice is the key!!)
1 large can kidney beans (rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly)
1 small can of white beans (rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly)
1/4 cup pickled jalapenos (with a little of the pickling juice)
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup chili powder
4 tbl spoons cumin
1/2 tbl spoon cayenne
1/8 tsp cinnamon
salt & pepper to taste
Grated Extra Shard Cheddar
finely chopped cilantro (optional)
sour cream (optional)

Start by sauteing the onions on medium-low heat in the canola oil until translucent. Next add the peppers and cook until soft. Remove the cooked vegetables from the pan and reserve in a bowl. Add ground meat to pot and saute until meat is no longer pink and lightly browned. Add spices and cook for a couple more minutes. This will release all of the essential oils in the spices. Add a bottle of beer (and have one for yourself while your at it) Return the cooked vegetables to the pot and stir to bring it all together. Add the jalapeno peppers and juice. Add the whole tomatoes and juice but crush with hands prior to adding to pot. Add the can of tomato paste. Finally the kicker...add the dark chocolate. Cover with a lid and let simmer on medium-low heat for two hours. Resist the urge to remove the lid, your patients will be well rewarded trust me!!!
Now, grab yourself a ladle and scoop out a generous helping of your homemade chili, garnish with the cheese and cilantro a few tortilla chips and of course another frosty beer and enjoy.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family and friends do. Please feel free to post your comments.

Until next time....Peace!!