EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK MIND ALTERING DRUG FROM THE 70'S CHILI

Today I needed chili to be present in my kitchen.  It's cold, dreary & January & there is nothing better than  winter's favorite comfort creature food. It made me so happy!!! I go into this weird moody blues in need of mind altering drugs state starting in January and it really doesn't go away till May.  Though I grew up in the 70's and had my fill... I have over the last 30 years substituted new and delicious fixes to my long list of addictions. Chili being one of them along with gummy bears and Rum Raisin Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream.  Yes I could eat this concoction every day.  No I 
don't do mind altering drugs anymore.

I really needed to make some chili.  I knew I had hamburger, I knew I had beans & stewed tomatoes & I was positive I had some McCormick's Chili Packets in my pantry. So there it is... I just cleaned out my refrigerator at that point.  You can add anything to chili except gummy bears so really nothing on this recipe is in concrete. 

Let me know what you do to your chili. And let me know if mine is like a mind altering drug from the 70's.                

EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK

MIND ALTERING DRUG FROM THE 70'S CHILI

This is from ingredients I had available. I make a double batch so I can freeze half.

2 Pounds Lean Ground Beef

1 Large Can (1LB. 13OZ)  Goya Black Beans (Any bean or brand will do)

1 Large Can (1LB. 13OZ) Small White Beans (Any bean or brand will do)

2 Large Cans (28 Ounces) Stewed Tomatoes (Generic is fine)

1 Bell Pepper Cut into Small Squares (I used an orange one but any color is good)  

3 Medium Tomatillos (Cut into small cubes)

1 Red Onion Diced

1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin

4 Packets of McCormick’s Chili Seasoning Mix

 2 Cups V-8 Juice (Tomato Juice is fine)

2 Cups or More Grated Gouda Cheese (Can choose your favorite cheese)

3 Tablespoon Butter or Margarine   

4 Garlic Gloves Finely Chopped

1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tablespoons or to taste Good Seasons Italian Mix (Dry)

2 Tablespoons Red Roasted Peppers (Optional as garnish)

2 Green Onion or Scallions  Chopped Finely (Optional as garnish)

Small Oyster Crackers (Optional as Garnish)

In large deep pan or  stew pot cook hamburger, make sure you pour off grease. Add stewed tomatoes, beans, packets of chili seasoning mix, cumin, V-8 juice, balsamic vinegar & Italian dressing mix.   In separate sauté pan melt butter and add garlic, onions, peppers and tomatillos.  Sauté till soft (caramelized) and add to pot of chili, let simmer and stir in cheese.

If you want to impress your family or invited guests you can place the chili into a large festive bowl and garnish with lines of scallions, red peppers and cheese. See photos.  When serving into bowls I top it off with oyster crackers, green onion and a spot of cheese. You can cut this recipes in half if you don’t have the mouths to eat it, the space or option to  freeze.