Spicy Red Chili - Blogger Chili Party

Welcome to the Blogger Chili Party! This is a new regular feature of mine, where a group of talented ladies (gents are welcome, too, FYI) all make different versions of the same dish and write about them on the same day. As you might have guessed, today's theme is chili. I have a recipe for you, and below that I'll have links to the other ladies who whipped up something tasty for you to drool over. Seriously, it's about to get hungry up in here.

To be honest, I decided to make the food parties a regular thing because when I was getting my tacos ready, I realized that cooking was slightly less annoying when I knew I was going to blog about it. So I guess you guys have become my kitchen accountability buddies. Pat yourselves on the back.

Now let's see some food.

Ingredients:
-- 1 lb. ground beef
-- 2 cans dark red kidney beans
-- 1 can garbanzo beans
-- 1 can diced tomatoes
-- 1 can tomato paste
-- 1/2 yellow onion

Spices:
-- 2 Tbsp chili power
-- salt and pepper
-- red pepper flakes (optional)

Toppings:
-- chopped yellow onion
-- shredded cheddar cheese

1. Brown the beef in the bottom of your pot. Chop half of the onion and add it to the beef. Salt and pepper to taste.

2. Once the beef is cooked, stir in the tomato paste. If this isn't part of your normal chili recipe,  know that the mixture will look a lot like sloppy joe meat at this point. Totally normal. Cook until hot again, then add the kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and diced tomatoes. Stir to distribute evenly.

3. If you want the chili to be a little thinner, add a cup of water (I did). Sprinkle in the chili powder and red pepper flakes, and stir again. If you really want to knock your socks off, feel free to add more of either.

4. Cover and reduce heat to low, then simmer for 45 minutes. This is key. As they say on the Food Network, this is when the flavors, "get to know each other." As I say, "this is what makes it spicy."

5. Chop up a little more onion and shred some cheddar cheese for toppings. Toss some chili into a bowl and eat!

Between the meat and the beans, this is extremely filling. I, sadly, never have room for seconds. But I do put the leftovers onto tortilla chips and turn them into nachos, so keep that delicious option in mind.

Be sure you hop around and check out the other recipes below!

Kristen from Milo and Molly
Ayla from Eyelah
Melissa from Hilltop Hausfrau
Meg from 18 Preston
Mia from Mossy JoJo
Natasha from Nibbles and Noshes
Allison from The Bauble Dept.

What's your favorite chili recipe? Have you started cooking fall food at your house?