Some Real Good Chili

Baby Bam
Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons (kosher) salt
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt

• Combine ingredients in a jar; twist the lid on airtight and shake to mix. Store away from heat and light for up to six months. Makes about 3/4 cup.

• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 2 cups chopped yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons Baby Bam (see above)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1-15 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
• 1-14 ounce can kidney beans

1. Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat.
2. Add meat and stir with a long-handled wooden spoon to break up the pieces. Cook, stirring, until the meat is brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Add onion, garlic, chili powder, Baby Bam, salt, cumin, cayenne, and pepper, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 4 minutes.
4. Put the whole tomatoes in a large mixing bowl and squeeze them with your hands to break them into pieces.
5. Add the squeezed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, water, and kidney beans to the pot. Stir well and bring to a boil.
6. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the chili from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

• brown sugar instead of white sugar
• beer instead of water; stout, porter, or other heavy beer
• more "heat"

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