World's Best Chili

This may or may not be the world's best Chili.  Try the recipe and see for yourself! 

It was a perfect Fall weekend in Cleveland (well, except for the onslaught of rain all day Friday), so I decided that I needed to drag out my crock pot and get some chili cooking.  There are so many different kinds of chili and I feel like you can never go wrong.  From the famous Skyline Chili in my hometown of Cincinnati, to my mom's amazingly good classic chili with oyster crackers and cheddar cheese, to my own version of chili with a Southwestern twist. Yum!

Here is the recipe for my Southwestern Chili: 

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
¾ cup onion (diced)
¾ cup celery (diced)
¾ cup green bell pepper (diced)
1-2 Jalapenos (seeded & diced)  -- add this according to how spicy you would like chili
2 garlic cloves (minced)
2 (10.7 ounce) cans tomato puree or 1 Big
2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans (one drained, one with liquid)
1 (15 ounce) can black beans (drained & rinsed)
½ tablespoon chili powder
½ teaspoon dried basil
¾ teaspoon oregano
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon hot sauce (or more, to taste) --> Frank's is the best :)

Directions: 

Step 1: In a large skillet over medium high heat, add ground beef and cook until evenly browned. Chop up with a metal spatula while browning. Drain any excess grease.

 Step 2: Place beef into the slow cooker. Add onion, celery, green pepper, jalapenos, garlic, tomato puree, kidney beans, and black beans. Season with chili powder, salt, basil, oregano, black pepper, and hot sauce. Mix well.

A note of caution: Make sure you wear gloves while dealing with and chopping the jalapenos -- I didn't and my left hand burned for the next 5 hours --- seriously not fun. 

Step 3: Place cover onto the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
(Makes 6-8 Servings)

Serve chili in bowls with cheddar cheese and oyster crackers or tortilla strips if you'd like. 

And a perfect accompaniment to the Chili is...

Jalapeno & Cheesy Cornbread  

Ingredients:
Tastefully Simple Beer Bread Mix
Substitute the 12 oz beer for 1 can of creamed corn
1 Jalapeno, seeded & chopped
1 cup Colby Jack/Monterrey Cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together the beer bread mix and creamed corn, add in jalapeno and cheese.  Place in a greased 9x5 bread pan.  Cook for 50-55 minutes.  Cool & Slice. So delicious!

The Result:

A delicious Sunday dinner that you can eat while relaxing and watching Football :)