Meli’s Marvelous Chili 🌶 MELISSA HORNUNG

So you think you don’t like chili? Then try this. And, I can’t believe that I am actually giving all of these sacred secrets away but prepare to be delighted. Get comfy, light a fire, get cozy up on the couch with a good movie and a blanket with a  bowl of this (self proclaimed 😂) award winning chili! I don’t believe I have ever had anyone say they didn’t like it and man does it warm you up on a cold winter night! Very festive too. 

Whether you like it mild or hot, this chili is the one that will satisfy. It’s a lot about the toppings and as always, choosing choice ingredients makes all the difference. Invite some of your favorite people, maybe a few mini donkeys too, and you’ve got a party! Make it ahead and do a chili buffet so that your guests can taylor their own toppings to taste! This can also be served with a side of tortilla chips as a hardy dip. But don’t stop there, you can pour it over a baked potato too and top it with cheese and bake it in the over for an all in one meal. I prefer it myself, straight up, in a bowl with all the goodies! Uhmmm hummm. Nutt’n better than that. Whoops been in Kentucky too long! 

What You’ll Need 

1 lb organic grass fed ground meat

1 lb stew beef cut into small pieces 

1 large onion diced

1 large green pepper diced

1 large red pepper diced 

1 jalepiño diced if you like it spicy 

1 can of petite cut tomatoes 

2 cans of light organic kidney beans 

1 jar of organic tomato basil sauce

1 packet of hot or mild chili according to your preference. 

Oilive oil

1/4 stick of butter

1:4 cup Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste 

Toppings:

Grated Cheddar Jack Cheese 

Spring onion chopped

Cilantro chopped 

Sour Cream dolip 

You can also add chopped avocado or guacamole and chopped jalepiños for those who like an extra spicy kick 🌶 

Let the magic commence! In a large soup pot, cover the bottom with olive oil and add all of the chopped vegetables including the garlic. Sauté for a minute and then add the meat. Continue to stir and sauté for 5 minutes or until the meat is completely browned. Then add the chili seasoning packet, can of tomatoes, jar of sauce and then the cans of beans, drained and rinsed. Stir together and bring to a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste, reduce heat to a low simmer and add the butter and Parmesan cheese, stir then let it continue to cook for about 20 minutes while stirring on occasion to make sure it doesn’t burn on the bottom. 

Serve in soup bowls or large mugs and add toppings! Fabulous with a loaf of crusty bread and a rich red wine 🍷. Feeling. More casual? Beer is always a great pairing with chili too! Beware the consequences of the. Rana and bubbles though 😳 and Bon Appetite!