back at the ranch.

why hello there, guys and gals!  it's susie homemaker here, with yet another recipe to share on this terrific thursday.  gag.  
anyway, today's food for thought comes straight from the heart of the Southwest. Texas to be exact.  can you say Texas-Style Chili?  if you can't, then you're in need of some serious help.  and this is going from bad to worse.  
this hearty dish features a flavor so bold it'll make you want to ditch the city and go start up a ranch on some 100,000 acre plot in the middle of nowhere so you can sit and stare at these all day long:

 

say "hi" to Beatrice and Alfie.  moo.  then again, maybe not.  gives a new meaning to the phrase "meanwhile, back at the ranch..." though, doesn't it?  

well, you can still enjoy your city life and eat chili, too.  and I'm done rambling.   

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here's the recipe:

Texas-Style Chili

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 medium green peppers, diced
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
• 1/3 cup chili powder (adjust to your spice level)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 3/4 tsp cracked black pepper
• 2 cups water
• shredded Monterey Jack cheese and sliced green onions for garnish
• Tortilla chips (optional)

note* can also add a can of chili beans and/or kidney beans if you prefer.  (we all need a little magical fruit in our diets)
1. brown ground beef in dutch oven.  drain and set aside.

2. heat 2 Tbsp vegetable oil in dutch oven.  add green peppers, onions, and garlic.  cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.

3. return beef to dutch oven; stir in diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, chili powder, sugar, salt, oregano, and black pepper. 

4. stir in 2 cups water; heat to boiling over high heat.  reduce heat to low; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 1/2 hour.  to serve, spoon into bowls and garnish; serve with tortilla chips if you like.

*makes 12 servings.

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delicious with monterey jack cheese, green onion and homemade corn bread! can't wait to eat leftovers for lunch today!
-jessica