Autumn’s Palate: It’s Chili Time

by Jessica Madison

The air is starting to get a chill in it, people are breaking out the sweaters and boots and all the leaves are starting to fall. To me, this also means it is time to start making chili. The funny thing about is, up until five years ago (when I met my husband), I did not really eat chili.

So, when we were dating the first fall we were together, he asked for chili. I agreed to do it since I love to cook and adapt other recipes to my own. I just found one recipe and started tweaking it.  Now, it is a favorite in my home along with my friends and family. So, I figured I would share it with you all. It is a pretty simple recipe, but one I am sure anyone can pull off.

Ingredients:

1lb of ground beef

1lb of ground pork

2 46 oz cans of tomato juice

2 15.5 oz cans of light red kidney beans

2 15.5 oz cans of dark red kidney beans

2 original chili seasoning packets

2 mild or hot chili seasoning packets

1 tablespoon of Cinnamon

3 tablespoon of Chili Powder

1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon of garlic powder

1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon of chipotle ground pepper

2 tablespoons of light brown sugar

1 teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons of pepper

Prep time: 15 minutes

Step one: Cook the ground beef and pork until done. It is optional to add some chili powder and crushed red pepper flakes. I like to add some while cooking the meat for an extra boost of flavor.

Step two: Pour the cans of tomato juice into a large crock pot or large pot. Then, mix in the chili packets and the seasonings until it is all mixed in well.

Step three: Drain the beans, and add them to the pot. Add in the meat.

Step four: Let it cook on the stove, on medium to low heat, for an hour. You can also cook it on low in the crock pot for six hours. You can simmer it on the stove, low, for longer than an hour if desired. The longer the chili the simmers, the more flavor profile it develops.

Step five: Enjoy your chili.

I like to add about a tablespoon of light brown sugar when I make my bowl to add a little sweetness. My husband adds hot sauce and cheese. One of the good things about chili is that it can be adapted to all the taste buds in your home.