Moms Awesome Chili

You know the old saying the "best way to a man's heart is through his stomach", well I find that to be very true.

Especially when the man is my 6 year old son. My little guy is a foodie, he loves to help me in the kitchen and is my biggest critic. If he doesn't like something he isn't shy about letting me know. What I really love is when I've made something so out of the ordinary that it makes him smile and has him asking for seconds. And when it comes to my chili this little man is all about getting as many helpings as possible.

Chili has never been something my son has been fond of, as a matter of fact until this year I haven't been able to get him to even taste chili. Once I made this slow cooker chili I had my little man "hooked".

We were at football party recently at my brothers house (note: my brother is an amazing cook) and when asked if my son had tried the chili he said "yes, but Mom it's no where near as good as your chili.... it's just not the same so I couldn't eat it")!! I LOVE This Boy :-)

Here is the recipe (quick and easy)

MOMS AWESOME CHILI "Best I've ever tasted"~

Ingredients:

~ 4 pounds ground beef

~ 2 medium onions, chopped

~ 1 green bell pepper chopped

~ 1 red or orange bell pepper chopped

~ 2 garlic cloves, minced

~ 3 (14 1/2-ounce) cans diced tomatoes (undrained)

~ 4 (8-ounce) cans of tomato sauce

~ 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

~ 1/4 cup chili powder

~ 1 tbsp sugar

~ 1 tsp salt

~ 1 tsp black pepper

~ 1/2 tsp paprika

~ 1/2 tsp ground red pepper

~ 1 bay leaf (this is a key ingredient for flavor)

~ 2 (16-ounce) cans of light red kidney beans (drained)

~ 2 (16-ounce) cans of cannelloni beans (drained)

Toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese (your choice), chopped green onion, sliced ripe black olives

Preparing the Ingredients:

~ Cook the ground beef in a large skillet until the meat is brown and no longer pink (drain the grease)

~ Remove the meat and place into the slow cooker (if you don't have a slow cooker this will work on the stove top with a pot as well)

~ In the same pan that your meat was cooked in; Saute your vegetables until soft (Onions will be clear or glossy)

~ Once the vegetables are cooked "saute" place them into the slow cooker with the ground beef

~ Add all other ingredients (Tomatoes, Beans, Chili Powder, Sugar, Paprika, Salt-Pepper, Bay Leaf, etc..) into the slow cooker and stir together

~ Place the slow cooker on high and cover/cook for 5-6 hours.

Serve with desired toppings. Makes approximately 15-18 cups.