My Chili

First, if you are a chili purist, avert your eyes and scroll down to the next entry. My chili has beans in it. Here's my recipe. I call it Pretty Good Chili because it is easy on you and the budget. It is not the finest version of chili that you could do. If you like a meatier chili, add another 1/2 pound of hamburger. I use the low fat hamburger from Sam's Club, so no draining is necessary. If you are using higher fat hamburger, cook it first and then drain all but a couple of tablespoons of fat to use to saute the vegetables. We have to cook low salt here, so the recipe reflects this. You may want to add an additional 1/2 tsp. of salt - 1 whole teaspoon is usually too much. If you are like me and never remove the strings on celery, you need to chop it a bit finer.

I learned on Food TV a while back that adding a little of the ingredients near the end of the cooking time can add some additional flavor. It is especially noticeable for those who have lost some of their sense of taste or smell.

Steph's Pretty Good Chili with Beans

1/2 pound hamburger
1/2 pound italian mild sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
24 oz. tomato sauce
32 oz kidney beans (2 cans)
2 tablespoons New Mexico Chili powder (see note)
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
14-16 oz can petite diced tomatoes

Brown the sausage in a Dutch oven or other large pot until it's released a little fat, then add the hamburger. After it's browned, add the onion and celery. Saute until onion is starting to turn clear. Add remaining ingredients except tomatoes, stir and turn on medium until hot, then turn to low. Simmer, uncovered for 45 minutes. Add the can of tomatoes including the juice and an additional 1/2 tablespoon of chili powder, if desired. Simmer another 20 minutes until thoroughly hot.

For better chili, simmer for 2 hours before adding the can of tomatoes. If you want a slightly thicker chili, drain the tomatoes before adding.


New Mexico Light chili blend can be purchased at Pendery's in Fort Worth, Texas. They have had a mail order business for many years. I know Mom has bought from them since 1980. I get cinnamon from them too. I like the New Mexico blend just a teeny bit better than the Fort Worth Light blend, which is also good. For those of you who like really hot, they specialize in chili blends.