Chili Con Carne

Homemade Chili Con Carne

I know that most will consider this a cold weather meal, but it's never out of season at our house. This wonderful recipe comes from my sister in Wisconsin (see above photos of her 3 1/2 year old daughter enjoying the meal) and is highly adaptable for all pallets. Make it mild or hot, what ever you like best!

Also, mom added the tomato paste when she made it! Yum!

Ingredients:

• Bush's Chili Starter
• 15oz. Tomatoes
• 1/2 - 1 lb hamburger (leave out if desired)
• 1-2 small can(s) tomato paste (2 cans makes it thicker than 1 can - your preference.)

Optional spices:

• Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Garlic
• Hot sauce
• Oregano

Here's how it works:
Brown hamburger (if using), drain and rinse.
Process tomatoes until mostly smooth in a food processor or blender
Add these 2 ingredients and Chili starter and tomato paste to a crock pot.

Decide which, if any, optional ingredients you will add.
Start with 1/2 teaspoon of each and taste after you add - keeping in mind that the flavor will get strong as they cook, but not a lot stronger.

For mild, just add mild chili powder and 1 - 1 1/2 t. garlic. For hot go all the way with cumin and hot sauce (I like Franks Red Hot!!).

Let all cook for 3-4 hours on high. Cook without the lid for the last hour if you want it thicker.

Serve over rice, with tortilla chips, or whatever you wish!

Aside from the obvious mariachi or salsa music that would beautifully accompany this meal, I would prefer Bizet's Carmen.

Factory girl meets handsome soldier. She falls for him but he loves another. Soldier is sent to arrest her for a fight in the factory but she seduces him and escapes; instead soldier goes to jail. A bullfighter enters scene and falls for girl and she for him. Soldiers superior office also wants the girl, soldier defies him and is forced to join band of smugglers. (What other option could there be, after all?) Bullfighter and the now ex-soldier fight, girl saves bullfighter. Later at a bullfight, ex-soldier pleads his love, but she had seen he is not a nice man and refuses him. The jealous ex-soldier stabs the girl in the heart and she dies just as the bullfighter has his victory in the ring. The end.

Ahhh! Opera and it's tragedy, but the music is great and I'd wager you know these 2 tunes from the show:

Maria CALLAS sings Carmen HABANERA

Votre Toast (Toreador Song) (This one you may not recognize until 1:16)