CHILI CON CARNE (MY FAVORITE)

Posted by Carole-Anne on February 16, 2008

Over the years, I cultivated my favorite chili con carne recipe, and it remains my favorite.  I shall share it with Healthy Recipes. 

My secret is the use of very lean beef, minced, 2 tbsp brown sugar, basil and oregano, and I prefer to use crushed tomatoes (one large can) and 2 tbsp. of tomato paste rather than 2 cans of tomato paste which I see in so many recipes.  Also, I like to let my chili simmer until it thickens on its own. So enjoy this recipe.

INGREDIENTS: 

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 lb extra-lean beef, minced 

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium-size Spanish onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 cup canned mushrooms without juice (or fresh sliced)

2 tbsp chili pepper

1 pinch of cayenne pepper

1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp brown sugar

2-14 oz cans red kidney beans (rinsed)

NOW FOLLOW ME:

Heat olive oil in large heavy-based pan.

Add the garlic, onions, and green pepper; cook over medium heat until golden browned.

Add very lean minced beef, cooking on medium-high heat, well browned.  Add chili powder, cayenne and oregano and basil.  Stir well and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.

Mix crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1/2 cup water and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add, beans, sugar, and flavor with seas salt and pepper to taste.  I let the chili simmer on lowest setting for a couple of hours and the flavour is out of this world.

Now, just before serving, I like to grate some light cheddar cheese on top and let it melt a bit into the chili. 

This Healthy Chili Con Carne Recipe is now ready to serve.

Chili tastes excellent with Caesar Salad and Buttermilk Biscuits, or Baking Powder Biscuits; both recipes on this site!

Healthy Recipe serves 6 people heartily.  Yummy!