Kid-Friendly Chili

When my kids were young, they didn't like chili that was spicy and they didn't want to see "chunks" of vegetables so I developed this version to please them.  If you're little one's taste buds are super sensitive, reduce or omit the Chipotle Tabasco (it adds just a touch of heat, but more importantly, it adds a wonderful smoky flavor).  This thick and hearty chili is great on its own, or used as a topping on hot dogs or baked potatoes.

Kid-Friendly Chili

serves 6-8 as an entree

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 cup finely minced onion

• 1/2 cup finely minced green bell pepper

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• pinch of salt

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)

• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (high quality or low acid)

• 32 ounces canned kidney beans, drained (or any other beans)

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon Chipotle Tabasco sauce

• 1 bay leaf

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottomed Dutch-oven over medium-high heat and saute the onions, bell pepper, garlic, and a pinch of salt; stir frequently until the onions are translucent.  

2. Lower the heat to medium and add the ground beef, kosher salt, and black pepper; cook until the beef is no longer pink, stirring to break up clumps.  

3. Add crushed tomatoes, drained beans, ground cumin, parsley, bay leaf, Worcestershire, and Chipotle Tabasco; stir to combine.  

4. When mixture starts to bubble, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.  

5. Remove bay leaf before serving with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.

Just Like Wendy's Chili

I found this copycat recipe online - it really does taste remarkably similar to Wendy's Chili, only it's a bit heartier than what I usually get when I hit my local drive-thru.  Be warned, this recipe makes a ton - it'll fill a 5.5-quart dutch oven almost to the rim.   Add cheese or sour cream if you like, but they're really not needed here.

Just Like Wendy's Chili

serves 12

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 pound ground beef

• 2 stalks celery, chopped

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

• 3 14-ounce cans stewed tomatoes

• 1 10-ounce can Ro-Tel tomatoes

• 1 14-ounce can tomato sauce

• 1 cup water

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 2 1.25-ounce packets of chili seasoning mix (or use my DIY recipe below)

• 1 14-ounce can kidney beans, undrained

• 1 14-ounce can navy beans, undrained

• 1 14-ounce can black beans, undrained

• 1 14-ounce can pinto beans, undrained

• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed dutch oven over medium-high heat.

2. Brown ground beef with salt and pepper until cooked through, stirring frequently to break up clumps.

3. Stir in celery, onion, and green bell peppers; cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent.

4. Add stewed tomatoes, rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce and water.

5. Stir in dried parsley, cumin, and chili seasoning.

6. Add undrained beans and stir to combine.

7. Heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.

8. Stir in vinegar just before serving.

DIY Chili Seasoning Mix

makes approx 2 packets of chili seasoning mix

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup all purpose flour

• 4 teaspoons chili powder

• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion

• 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic

• 2 teaspoons white sugar

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 2 teaspoons dried parsley

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Place ingredients in a blender, food processor, or spice grinder and blitz to combine.

adapted from allrecipes.com