Chili - Recipe

     In honor of International Hot and Spicy Food Day I give you Chili.  This one calls for quite a bit of red pepper flakes, so if you happen to have a fresh spice bottle, look out!  It will be hot hot hot!  This recipe makes a boat load of chili.  It will feed your football crowd, and then some.
    One of my favorite discoveries was found making this dish -using oatmeal to thicken the chili.  It is fast, works perfectly, and can even be considered healthy!  It disappears into the chili as it thickens!  Ha! Who knew!

Chili

(Makes 20 1-cup servings (about 5 quarts))

2 lbs. Ground Beef

2 Yellow Onions chopped

1 head Garlic (Peeled and Chopped)

2 (29-oz.) can Whole Peeled Tomatoes

1 1/2 c. Ketchup

2 T. Molasses

4 c. Chicken Broth

1 tsp. Ground Cardamom

2 tsp. Ground Black Pepper

1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

1 T. Salt

1 tsp. Whole Cumin Seed

2 tsp. Crushed Cumin Seed

2 T. Paprika

1 Cinnamon Stick

3 T. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

2 tsp. Ground Coriander

1/4 tsp. Ground Cloves

2 (24-oz.) can Pinto Beans (drained and rinsed)

2 c. Oatmeal (uncooked rolled oats)

     Place ground beef and onions in a large Dutch oven. Sauté until the meat is brown. Add the garlic and tomatoes. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon. Stir in the ketchup, molasses, and chicken broth. Add the spices (start with less red pepper flakes for less spice if desired), and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep from burning. Degrease by skimming any fat off the top with a spoon. Add the beans, cover, and simmer 15 more minutes stirring occasionally. Uncover, add the oatmeal, and cook for 15 more minutes until thick, stirring almost continuously. The oatmeal disappears as it cooks and thickens the chili. Take out the cinnamon stick and discard it. Adjust seasonings and serve.

Note: This dish freezes well. Freeze in 2-cup disposable containers for an easy meal. You may also cut the recipe in half for 10 servings.

You can get this and more comfort food recipes in my digital book, Comfort Food Cookbook: Highlighting American, German, Norwegian, and English Heritage Recipes which is now available on iBooks®.

Available on iBooks®

                                                          

                                                                                                                  

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