Friday Sept. 5th, 2008

Since I did say I was trained in the culinary arts, I have decided that maybe on Fridays I would post a recipe for meals that I have made in the past and am constantly getting requests for. This is one I learned a long time ago and not only is it easy to make but it is a family favourite.

Ed's Homemade Chili

Ingredients

• 1 Lb. lean ground beef


• 1 Lb. stewing beef (cut up small)


• 1-2 Lbs. fresh mushrooms (quartered)


• 3 stalks celery (sliced on the diagonal)


• 1 Red bell pepper (diced)


• 1 Green bell pepper (diced)


• 1 Yellow bell pepper (diced)


• 1 large spanish onion (chopped finely)


• 2 large cans stewed tomatoes


• 2 large cans kidney beans (drained and thoroughly rinsed)


• 3 tins tomato paste


• 1/4 cup cooking oil


• water


• chili powder *

*I don't tell you how much chili powder to use as everybodys tastes differ. That is also the reason why I haven't mentioned hot chili flakes, cayenne pepper or any of the various hot sauces on the market. You spice it up to your own liking.

Directions

• To start, heat oil in large stock pot, then cut stewing beef into bite size pieces,and add all meat to heated oil and cook for about 10 minutes on medium-high heat or untill cooked. Adding a dash or two of seasoned salt doesn't hurt.


• While meat is cooking, cut up the vegetables to desired size and once the meat has cooked, you just add the veggies to the meat.


• Now that you have the basics going, add the tomatoes.Next add the kidney beans along with the tomatoe paste.


• Add enough water to cover it about 1/2 inch to an inch above mixture.


• At this point, you add whatever spices you like. Make it as hot as you can stand as long as you don't have to worry about feeding it to any kids. I usually just add store bought chili powders and add untill it tastes like a chili that wouldn't burn the arse off a dragon.


• Once you have the desired taste, cover the pot and simmer for 3-4 hours on a medium-low heat and add water when necessary to keep from sticking to the pot ( at this point, you may want to keep an eye on the taste.Sometimes the water may dilute the flavour and you may have to re-season it).

If you try this recipe out, I hope you enjoy it.