Yes the pot is huge!! (heeheehee)
So first of all I have to say that I buy no name products all the time, first, in an effort to save money and second, because I really don't see any difference in the Brand name items. Having said that, there are certain no name products that just don't cut it and I do buy the Brand name. Here is one example of no name products that are just as good as the brand name...The kidney and Chick peas (the black beans were on sale so I bought them). Yes perfectly acceptable to buy no name!!!
I have to take full credit for this recipe. It isn't one that came from a book or TV show or web page. It is truely and totally MINE!!! (although there are the rare coincidences....)
First thing I do is to start browning the meat. I used Extra lean ground beef (cause it was on sale!). And as that is happening you should start to chop the veggies. Today I used celery, red peppers, yellow peppers and green peppers. You can add and omit as needed. I was going to put in large chunks of mushroom (so my DH could pick it out) and olives but I forgot about them. Which is really a shame cause it would have tasted marvelous!!!
Here is the meat once it is cooked. There wasn't much fat in the bottom of the pan but I ALWAYS drain off the excess fat.
Leave the meat to drain in a collander in the sink while you cook the veggies. You don't need to add any extra oil or anything cause you just use what was left in the pot from the meat. (making this a one pot dinner!!) I think I let them cook for about 5-7 mins stirring often.
Whenever I have a craving for chili, I always buy a package or two of the chili seasoning. Again brand doesn't matter, just grab whatever is on sale. Today I chose the "Old El Paso" cause it had been in the cupboard for about a month.
We love corn in our chili. If you don't, that is ok, you don't have to add it. But can I recommend getting peaches and cream variety, of any brand! SOOO delicious!
Once the veggies (minus the corn) have had a chance to cook, add the meat back in. Then (open the cans) and put in the beans and corn into the pot. Let this cook for about 15-20 mins on MED to LOW heat. Then serve HOT......Easy Peasy! (and only used on pot)!!
So as you can see this pot is huge.. thought that I would show a picture of how BIG it actually is. (It is on one of the smaller burners, cause the other front one doesn't work). We got it as a wedding present and it is one of the most versitile gifts we got!
As a side note: I mix the chili sauce with about a cup of water (unlike what the package recommends), especially when making such a large pot of chili cause it gives the chili better flavor. It seems to allow the flavors of the seasoning to disperse more evenly throughout the pot! (make sense??)
Here is what my chili looked like after I had already mixed in a bit of gratted cheese and sour cream. You are probably saying gross.. but it is good!
Here is what Gavin's looked like, with a bun and veggie cheese (on the side)!
Here is the recipe: (opps almost forgot)
1 lb of ground hamburger (preferably extra lean)
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1/2 of each Red pepper, green pepper, yellow pepper, chopped and diced
1 cup corn (peaches and cream)
1 can of chick peas (juices included)
1 can of kidney beans (juices included)
1 can of black beans (juices included)
1 can of sliced olives (not in this recipe :(
6-7 med sized button mushrooms, chopped
Instructions... *see above*
OR
Brown hamburger, drain. Add celery and peppers to pan. Cook for 5-7 mins on Med to Low heat, stirring often. (If adding in mushrooms, add during the last couple mins.) Add in the hamburger, all cans of beans, corn, and olives. Stir and let cook for an additional 15 mins on Low heat. Serve hot and with topping of your choice and a dipper of choice, ie; buns or tortilla chips!
Cheers!
