Groundhog ( Day ) Chili

Since there is going to be six more weeks of winter, ( darn groundhog ) I thought it would be a great day to make a big pot of chili.

Most of the ingredients are pictured above, except for a teaspoon of sugar sprinkled over the tomatoes and of course, the groundhog.. I mean ground chuck. :o) Here is my chili recipe:

1 3/4 lb. package ground chuck (one and three quarters pound )
1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes, cut them up in the pot
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon of sugar sprinkled over the tomatoes in the pot
1 16 oz. can light red kidney beans, drained
1 16 oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 16 oz. can chili beans, drained slightly
1 onion, diced
1 medium size green pepper, diced
1 stalk of celery , diced..optional
1 -2 tablespoons of olive oil
about 1 to 1 1/2 cups water added

I don't really measure my spices.

Start out with 2 tablespoons of chili powder.. add more if you like it spicier.
1/2 teaspoon cumin, optional
a few good dashes of garlic powder
a few good dashes of onion powder
a pinch or two of Italian seasoning
about three pinches or so of oregano

Brown the ground chuck and add to the pot of beans and tomatoes. Saute the diced onion, green pepper and celery in the olive oil until transparent.. watch it doesn't burn. Add to the beans, tomatoes and ground chuck. Add about 1 to 1 1/2 cups water. Add your spices. Bring to a slight boil then let it simmer all day. I use a heat diffuser on my burner. You can buy a heat diffuser at a kitchen store. ( I have a gas stove. )

Taste the chili about two hours after simmering. Add more chili powder (and cumin) if desired. You can also add some crushed red pepper flakes, if desired, for a hotter type chili.





Serve with cornbread or crackers and a salad ! Chili is also great for a super bowl get together. Serve with sliced cheeses, crackers, tortilla chips. Add a vegetable tray and some dip !



Happy Groundhog's Day ! Not for us, though, that live in Pennsylvania.. six more weeks of winter ! :o(

Hugs,
Linda