Mama Matheny's Chili Recipe

By ginasheppard

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 C. onion
• 1/2 t. crushed garlic
• 8 oz. can tomato paste
• 1 large (29 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• 5 C. water
• 1 bay leaf (whole)
• 1/2 t. dried oregano
• 1/2 t. dried basil
• chili powder to taste
• 1 t. salt or to taste (may take a little more)
• 4 t. sugar
• 2 cans kidney beans, liquid and all

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

Brown ground beef and onion in large skillet until onion is tender. Add garlic and cook a few minutes more. If you have fat in the pan, drain it off. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, water and spices. Stir well and cook over med. heat for 1 1/2 hours, stirring about every 15 minutes. Add beans and cook about 1 more hour, stirring every 10-15 minutes or until as thick as desired.

If you prefer, you can put everything except the beans, in a crockpot (I always fry the ground beef and onions first) and let it simmer on low all day while you're at work. When you get home, stir in the beans and you've got dinner!