Friday Night Chili

Cookbook Category: Chili

This is not "cook-off" chili. And it will stir controversy among those "no beans" Texas chili mavens. But, aside from the fact that it′s delicious, it is easy to put together and calls for ingredients most people have on hand or are easily obtainable.

2 pounds lean ground chuck
3 large cloves garlic
2 large onions, chopped
2 14.5-ounce cans pinto or kidney beans, drained
1 cup beef broth
1 cup water
1 14.5-ounce cans whole, peeled tomatoes, undrained and chopped or mashed with a potato masher
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 to 3 rounded tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon black pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 rounded tablespoon masa harina, optional but very desirable
Shredded Cheddar cheese, optional
Saltines or corn chips, optional

Combine the ground chuck, garlic and onion in a Dutch oven and cook until beef is browned, stirring to crumble it. Drain well. (I use 85 percent lean ground chuck, and there iss no excess grease to drain.)

Add beans, beef broth, water, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, salt, oregano, black pepper and ground cumin. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

If you are using masa harina, stir it into the chili about 20 minutes before it's done. While this is an option, the masa will thicken the chili gravy and add an authentic Tex-Mex flavor that nothing else provides.

Serve topped with grated cheese and saltines or corn chips, if desired.

Makes 8 generous servings.