Quick and Easy Chili Recipe

There's nothing more satisfying than a nice big bowl of steaming hot chili. Whether it's on a cold winter day or while watching the football game, this chili recipe is terrific. It's so easy to make a pot for a quick dinner of even for company. You can serve over crunchy tortilla chips piled high with sour cream, green onions, and diced jalapenos, or if you want to get fancy you can serve it in a bread bowl garnished with shredded cheese.

This recipe can be altered to suit your taste and meat preferences. For example, you can substitute the ground beef for turkey, chicken, sausage or tofu and you can control the heat by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili powder, cayenne pepper, and jalapenos you use. I've tried different variations , but the recipe I am sharing is the one my family likes the best.

Chili Recipe

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef (you may substitute turkey, chicken, sausage or tofu)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, diced
1 large can whole tomatoes with juice
1 large can baked kidney beans
1 tablespoon brown sugar
salt
pepper
1/4 cup chili powder (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tablespoons finely diced jalapenos (optional)
shredded cheese for topping (we prefer cheddar or Monterey jack)

Add the olive oil to the bottom of a large stock pot. Once the oil is hot add the garlic and onion. Cook for a few minutes until they become fragrant. Add your choice of meat or tofu.Season with salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat until meat is thoroughly cooked. Remove whole tomatoes from can and pour juice into pot. Chop tomatoes into bite-sized pieces and add to pot. Now add entire can of kidney beans. Bring to a simmer. Now add chili powder, cayenne pepper and diced jalapenos. Let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes and taste for desired heat. Once chili is seasoned just right, ladle into bowls and garnish with shredded cheese and sour cream.