Chili

Ingredients

Ground Meat Mixture:

• 2 lbs ground meat (beef, chicken, beyond/impossible)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp corriander
• 1 tsp onion powder

Chili:

• 1 lb additional meats (chorizo, stewing cuts, etc)
• 1 zucchini squash, chopped fine
• 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, chopped fine
• 1 potato (russet, sweet potato, etc), chopped fine
• 1 yellow onion, chopped fine
• 1 bell pepper, chopped fine
• 1 cup of corn (frozen or canned, preferably fire roasted)
• 2 15 oz cans of fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 can of tomato sauce
• 2 15 oz cans of black beans
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 6 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp corriander
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp salt
• optional: 2oz vermouth or 4oz beer

Instructions

1. Combine the ground meat mixture and set aside.
2. In a large pot or dutch oven, cook onions, mushrooms, potato and bell pepper in an oil of your choice for 20 minutes and stir occasionally
3. While the veggies are cooking, start cooking the ground meat mixture in a separate pan, stir occasionally until browned. You may have to scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan and stir them into the meat mixture.
4. Once veggies are cooked, add the spices and cook with the veggies for 2 minute, stirring occasionally.
5. Add ground meat mixture + additional meat to the pot with the veggies and stir to combine.
6. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot, corn, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, molasses, vermouth/beer.
7. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
8. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
9. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

• Garnish with cheese, cilantro, sour cream, lime, or tortilla chips
• The longer the chili simmers, the more the flavors will develop.
• The baking soda is used to tenderize the meat
• The molasses is used to add a slight sweetness to the chili
• The vermouth/beer helps the spices and flavors meld together

Modifications

• For a vegan version: Use ground beyond and/or impossible meat with a vegan chorizo as the additional meat
• For a spicier version: Add additional chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to taste