LENNIE'S CHILI, FINALLY WRITTEN DOWN

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Lennie's Chili, Finally Written Down image

Chili is one of my hubby's favourite dinners and I've been making it for years. I just made it again recently and this time I took great pains to measure and make a note of everything I did, so I could finally get it down on paper. And yes, it has beans in it. Deal with it.

Provided by Lennie

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 2h20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
6 cloves garlic, minced (you can use less, of course)
8 mushrooms, thickly sliced
2 lbs lean ground beef
5 tablespoons chili powder, divided
2 (28 ounce) cans plum tomatoes, drained
2 (19 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cocoa
1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (5 ounce) can tomato paste
4 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • First off, I have one thing to say about spices: I am not about to tell you how to season your chili; what you see here is what I do, but please adjust the spicing to suit your own tastes, whether you want to tone it down or spice it up.
  • Also, for the past couple of years, I have been using Penzeys medium-hot chili powder; if there's a Penzeys store near you or you order over the Internet from them, I highly recommend that blend.
  • To make the chili, you'll need a large heavy pot, like a Dutch oven.
  • Over medium-high heat, heat the oil in the pot and add the onion; saute for a couple of minutes, then add the garlic and mushrooms; saute for a couple more minutes.
  • Next, crumble the beef into the pot and stir well--the idea here is not to completely brown the beef, just take away the raw colour.
  • While beef is cooking, sprinkle with 1 tbsp of the chili powder; stir well.
  • After the beef has lost the raw red colour, spoon out any fat should you feel you need to.
  • Take one of the tins of drained tomatoes and dump into the pot, using a wooden spoon to break up the tomatoes into chunks.
  • Take the other tin of drained tomatoes and squeeze the tomatoes with your hand, to crush them; add these crushed tomatoes to the pot and combine well.
  • Stir in the well-drained kidney beans.
  • In a small bowl, using a fork or a small whisk, combine the brown sugar, flour and cocoa; set aside.
  • In a large measuring cup, stir together the tomato sauce and tomato paste, then stir or whisk in the cocoa mixture; when combined, add this mixture to the pot and stir well.
  • Now add the remaining 4 tbsp chili powder, oregano, cumin (if using, sometimes I leave it out), salt and pepper; stir well.
  • Let mixture start to bubble furiously, then turn the heat way down; after it's simmered for about 15 minutes, taste it; add more spices if you wish.
  • Let chili simmer, uncovered, for at least one hour, stirring occasionally (longer is better; best is to make it the day before you want it and let it simmer some more on the second day).
  • If you find it is cooking down too much or getting too thick for your tastes (this is not a thin chili), add some water or, even better, beef broth; best is a slug of beer should you happen to have some (I often don't).
  • Before serving, make sure you taste the chili and adjust the seasonings as required; I often find it needs more salt.
  • I serve this with sour cream on the table and usually some chopped raw green onion and shredded cheddar, plus a side of cornbread or cornbread muffins.

Safviaro Faro
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This recipe looks delicious. I'm going to make it for my family this weekend.


Ayesha Afrin
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I'm not a big fan of chili, but I'm willing to give this recipe a try.


za.za.mariaA markhur
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I'm always looking for new chili recipes. I can't wait to try this one!


X sayek
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I'm a vegetarian, so I used tofu instead of ground beef. It was a great substitute and the chili was still delicious.


Muzamail Khan
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I made this chili in my slow cooker and it turned out perfect. It was so easy and convenient.


Rabia Asif
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I added a can of corn to my chili and it was delicious! It gave it a nice sweetness and crunch.


Adhy pLayZ„ÉÖ
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I'm allergic to tomatoes, so I substituted tomato sauce for the diced tomatoes. It turned out great!


Hipop Dan
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This recipe is missing some key ingredients. It needs more chili powder, cumin, and garlic.


justin jahid
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I was disappointed with this recipe. The chili was bland and lacked flavor. I won't be making it again.


Sk SAYMON
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I'm not sure what I did wrong, but my chili turned out too spicy. I guess I'll have to cut back on the chili powder next time.


Christy Prothman
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This chili is the perfect make-ahead meal. You can cook it ahead of time and then reheat it when you're ready to serve.


Imran Hossen
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I love that this chili is made with lean ground beef. It's a healthier option without sacrificing any flavor.


Joseph Bland
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This chili is so versatile. You can add or remove ingredients to suit your own taste.


Djamel Bel
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I've been making this chili for years and it's always a hit. It's the perfect party food.


What Happens IDK
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This chili is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day. It's hearty, filling, and delicious.


Isha Anning
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I love that this recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients. It's so affordable and easy to make.


sujon Bk
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This chili is so easy to make and it's always a crowd-pleaser.


Abid Hussein
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I'm not a big fan of chili, but I tried this recipe and it was surprisingly good! The flavors were well-balanced and the texture was perfect. I'll definitely be making this again.


Balwana Eridiamond
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This chili was a hit at my last party! Everyone loved it. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfect. The perfect amount of spice and flavor.


Didar hosen
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OMG! This chili is the BEST! I've tried so many different recipes, but this one is by far the best. It's so flavorful and delicious. I will definitely be making this again and again.