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Basic Chili Recipe with Kidney Beans
One of the greatest qualities of chili (among its many great qualities) is how flexible a chili recipe can be. It is more of a template than a recipe which has to be followed to the letter; as long as the important elements are there and the end result tastes good, it is chili.
You can add all sorts of different ingredients to chili, but there are some basics which are part of the standard chili formula. You should feel free to play with this recipe, which is meant as a jumping off point for your own culinary creativity.
Think of this basic beef and kidney bean chili as your chili template. You can go in any number of different directions from this starting point, adding or subtracting ingredients as you see fit. It is your chili, after all, so the only limits are your imagination and your own personal likes and dislikes.
All-Purpose Chili
Ingredients -
1 lb ground beef
2 can dark kidney beans
1 onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
2 (15 oz) cans crushed or diced tomatoes w/ juice
12 ounces beer, water, or beef stock
Preparation:
Brown the ground beef in a Dutch oven (or skillet, if you would prefer to drain it before adding to the chili) with the onion, garlic and jalapeno.
Add the spices and cook for another minute, stirring regularly.
Add the tomatoes, beer, water or stock and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending how long you'd like to blend the flavors or how impatient your dinner guests are.
Serve hot with the condiments and side dishes of your choice.
(Serves 3)
Photo Description:
Although this recipe is more of a blueprint which allows the cook to add their own spin on this classic recipe, it is also perfectly delicious when made to the letter of the recipe, so use your own judgment in the kitchen with this recipe. It is great as a quick and easy meal or you can make it as elaborate as you like - great chili, after all, can be the product of an entire afternoon spent in the kitchen or as little as half an hour. Chili is one of those recipes which any cook can easily put their stamp on and make it their own, so get in the kitchen and create your own secret family recipe!
