Amys Awesome Chili!!!

                                                                  Amy's Awesome Chili


Ingredients (Yeilds One Large Crockpot)

3 med-large carrots or one bag of baby carrots (chopped)
1 medium onion (your choice as per what kind)
4 cloves of garlic (smooshed) or 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
1 large yellow bell Pepper
1 large green bell Pepper
2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and chopped)
4 celery stalks (chopped)
2-(14.5oz) cans whole tomatoes (chopped)
2- (6oz) cans tomato paste
2-(15oz) cans black beans w/juice*
2- (5 1/4oz) cans kernel corn w/ juice
1-(15oz) can pinto beans*
1-(15oz) can kidney beans*
2 lbs ground beef (lean w/ 15% fat)
    (substitiute with 1/2 cup bulgur wheat if vegitarian version)
4 Tbsp Chili Spices
4 Tbsp Masa Flour
2 cups Beef Stock (substitute with 2 cups water for Veggie version)
1 Tbsp cumin
1 1/2 Tbsp dried basil
1 1/2 Tbsp dried oregano
2 tspn Kosher Salt
2 tspn crushed black peppercorns
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
(*Substitute beans to your liking, keeping the juices to add to stock)

Preparation:

1. Set uncooked ground beef and chili spice aside.
2. Combine all other ingredients in a large stew pot and leave to simmer.
3. Combine ground beef in a skillet. Once beef turns brown, add 1/2 cup water and the chili spice to the ground beef and mix until spices are fully saturated. (about 15 mins total time)
4. Transfer the contents of the stew pot and ground beef mixture to crock pot. Cook on High for 20 mins. While all of these ingredients are well cooked at least 20 or so minutes, it is edible for quick meals or leave in crock pot for 2 hrs on low heat for all flavors to cook evenly. You may need to add an additional 1/2 cup or two of water or beef stock about an hour in to keep from getting too thick.

(I am addicted to sour cream so I add a dollup of sour cream and shredded cheese on top for yum factor. Remember a lot of this is based on taste. I started with a base recipe and added a little here and there to my liking.)

YUMS!!!