I am!
With the big Packers/Bears game tomorrow (go Bears!) and the Wisconsin and Iowa bowl games on January 1 (go Hawks!), I needed some good chili...
Something like the
Simple, Perfect Chili by
The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup masa harina (I skipped this)
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded Cheddar, for serving
Chopped onions, for serving
Tortilla chips, for serving (I used Fritos)
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Brown the ground beef in a large pot with the garlic over medium heat
Drain off the excess fat
Pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne
Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low
Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally
If the mixture becomes overly dry (mine did!), add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed (I used beer)
This is the part I skipped...
After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl.
Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork.
Dump the masa mixture into the chili.
Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings.
Add more masa paste and /or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor.
Then...
Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes.
Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips (Fritos!) and lime wedges.
I don't know if I'd call this chili "simple" or "perfect", but it is really good!