Recipe Station

 Ingredients 

2 to 3 pounds lean ground beef
1 or 2 large chopped onions
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon dried ground cumin or to taste
1 tablespoon dried oregano or to taste
2 tablespoons chili powder or to taste (fresh chile peppers may be substituted)
Coarse salt and freshly-ground black pepperto taste
3 to 4 cups tomato puree, tomato sauce, or fresh tomatoes, coarsely chopped (or a combination of all three)
2 to 3 (14 1/2 ounce) cans beef broth*
1 to 2 tablespoons molasses**
2 cans black beans or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Grated sharp cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Chopped green onions

Directions:

In a large soup pot or cast-iron Dutch oven over medium-high heat, sauté ground beef, onion, and garlic until the meat becomes gray in color; drain off fat and discard. Add cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, pepper, tomatoes, and beef broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, approximately 3 to 4 hours, stirring often.

Add molasses to taste to cut down the acidity of the tomatoes. Add beans and continue to simmer another 30 minutes.

When ready to serve, remove top layer of solidified fat, reheat chili over low heat, and serve in large individual bowls.

Makes 8 to 12 servings.

Remember, the most delicious recipes are made with love. Don't be afraid to add your very own twist when cooking up your batch of this delectable chili. It's also a great idea to have plenty of your family and friends favorite garnishes on hand. Nothing is better than some freshly grated cheddar cheese, chopped onions and dollop of sour cream to top it all off! Now, get in the kitchen and get to cooking, and please share your thoughts and unique variations to this amazing recipe!

To learn more about this chili recipe visit:Whats Cooking America.