Simple Homemade Chili

Ingredients

Serves/makes 6

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 yellow onion

2 cloves garlic

1 lb ground beef

15 oz can kidney beans

15 oz can black beans

15 oz can diced tomatoes

6 oz can tomato paste

1 cup water

1 Tbsp chili powder**

1 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp cayenne powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese

sour cream

1.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it is fully browned, allowing the Maillard reaction to maximize flavors. Remove the beef and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pot.
2.
In the same pot, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the leftover beef fat and cook until they are soft and transparent.
3.
Add the tomato paste to the pot with the onions and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until the paste begins to caramelize and darken slightly.
4.
Return the browned ground beef to the pot, then drain the beans and add them along with the diced tomatoes, 1 cup water, and all of the ingredients for the chili seasoning. Stir until well combined.
5.
Place a lid on the pot and allow it to simmer over a low flame for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally (the flavor gets better the longer it simmers).
6.
Give the chili one final taste, adjust the salt or seasonings if needed, then serve hot with your favorite toppings.

I would double this next time, used a whole bottle of modelo instead of one cup water, pretty tight