Chili is what I call one of my favorite fall/winter time comfort foods. It is a cozy dish that is warm and hearty, and if you like a little bit of spice, this chili has a little kick of heat. What I like best about this dish, you can make a big pot ahead of time, and freeze for a later time to eat.  I am not a fan of beans so I made my chili beanless. Serve your chili as is or serve with tortilla chips or on top of a hot dog to make chili dogs. I like to serve my chili with tortilla chips and garnish with a dollop of sour cream, cheddar cheese, and green onions. YUM!

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef
• 4 Cloves of garlic minced
• 1 onion diced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1 cup of beer – I used Modelo Especial
• depending on how thick you like your chili you can use :
  • 1 –  14.5 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes or
  • 1 – 28 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes
  • (I found that using 14.5 oz can makes the chili thicker / with “no soup” and using the 28 oz can had a bit more “soup”
• 1 cup of low sodium chicken stock
• 1 tbsp. of green tabasco sauce * or 2 tbsp. if not using red tabasco sauce
• 1 tbsp. of red tabasco sauce *or 2 tbsp. if not using green tabasco sauce
• 1/2 tsp of cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 cup of green onions chopped
• salt and pepper
• vegetable or olive oil

Directions:

1.  Heat some oil up and saute your ground beef until brown. Season with salt and pepper. Drain off any excess liquid/oil after ground beef turns brown.
2. Reduce heat to medium and add your onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and saute until onions are translucent.
3. Add the tomato paste in the center and cook for about a minute in the pot before mixing it in with the meat. (See video)
4. Add the chili powder and mix it in with the meat.
5. As soon as the meat is covered with the chili powder, add the beer and cook until it is reduced by half.
6. Add the rest of the ingredients, chicken stock, roasted tomatoes, tabasco sauce, cumin, thyme, and oregano.
7. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 1 – 1/2 hours.