Super Bowl Count Down...Take Three: Chili

No Super Bowl celebration is complete without chili!  So last (but certainly not least) on my Super Bowl Count Down recipe list is Chili.  I love love love chili!  I'd eat it in the heat of the summer or the dead of winter.  I'd eat it because there was football on, I'd eat it because there was no football on.  I love it in a bowl or on a hot dog.  I love it with sour cream and cheese.  I love to eat it with corn bread or Fritos.  I guess you could say I'm a fan of chili :)

Now, I have a confession to make regarding my chili.  I cheat.  That's right, I said I CHEAT!  There, I said it, it's out in the open now.  I have done it for years and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  Wanna know my secret?  Instead of using chili powder and cumin, which up until recently, never seemed to be stocked on my spice rack, I found this:

It's called Carroll Shelby's Original Texas Brand Chili Kit and it's perfect.  It's got all the spices already mixed together.  It even comes with a small packet of cayenne pepper, salt, and masa (for thickening).  I only use the chili spice packet and the cayenne, though.  If you can't find this chili kit or something similar, you can use chili powder and cumin to get the same flavors.  I would start off using 1 teaspoon each and then add until the flavor is to your liking.

As for the spiciness of this chili, that is left up to you.  I added 2 jalapenos and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.  Chris and I like it spicy.  Way to spicy for you?  No worries, cut back on the cayenne and don't add jalapenos.  Still not hot enough for you?  Try adding some Serrano peppers, but be careful, as I have said before, it's easier to add then take away.

Chili

Ingredients:

1/2 onion, finely chopped

2 tsp olive oil

1-2 jalapeno peppers, diced

1 lbs. ground beef

2 garlic cloves, minced

8 oz can tomato sauce

8 oz diced tomatoes with juice

8 oz chili beans with juice

12 oz beer (I used bud light but you could really use any kind you want and/or have) If you don't want to use beer, use beef broth or water instead

1/2 - 1 pkg. Carroll Shelby's Chili Kit...chili spice packet only

1 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add onions and saute until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.  Add jalapenos and saute for 2 minutes.  Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink.  Add garlic and saute for 1 minutes.

Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and chili beans.  Slowly add in the beer.  Stir to combine.  Add the chili packet seasonings (start with half and add more as needed for flavor) and cayenne pepper.  Bring chili to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and let chili simmer for at least 45 minutes. If the chili is too thin for you, add some masa a little at a time until you get the right consistency.  If the chili is too thick, add more beer or some beef broth.  Enjoy!