My Daddy's Chili - Phase 1 and 3

My dad was the cook in my house when I was a kid. We mostly ate Hamburger Helper and Banquet frozen dinners, with a few homemade-ish meals thrown in. My parents grew up with their mom's making everything from scratch because convenience foods were not invented yet. So in the 60's when they got married, convenience foods were all the rage.

My dad did cook some things from scratch- chili being one. I did not like chili as a kid but I definitely appreciate it as an adult. I added a couple things to mine- I am sure my dad would love it. It was also one of my meals that I did not have to really convert to fit into FMD. 

I add a pinch of baking soda to cut the acid in the tomatoes- you can skip this or any of the spices. Recipes are made to be tweaked. We like things spicy and so does my dad, but you can certainly tailor this to your taste buds. 

My Daddy's Chili
Serves 8

1lb ground turkey or beef
1 15oz can crushed tomatoes
6-8 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 carrot, shredded
2 cups cooked red kidney, white or black beans (or a combo, I use more than one kind)
2 cups chicken or beef stock
2T tomato paste
1 jalapeno, finely minced
3T chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1T black pepper
1T Mexican Oregano
1 tsp cumin
Pinch of baking soda

Brown the meat in a large stock pot. Add onion and carrot, cook and stir for 4-5 minutes until onion is cooked. Add bell pepper and zucchini, spices. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Throw in the tomato paste and stir- cook just until fragrant. Add tomatoes, crushed tomato, jalapeno, stock. Stir then bring to boil, reduce to simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes. Add beans and baking soda, cook another 10 minutes. 

You can also brown the meat, then add everything to a crock pot and cook 8-10 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high.