Dude, It's Really Good Chili

I don't know what you do for fun, but I like to cook things and sometimes inspiration strikes at weird times. 

Maybe I need some more morning friendly hobbies, I don't know.  Matt Lauer just doesn't do it for my like my Le Creuset.   

All I know is if I could find a job where all I did was cook, read, drink coffee, and sometimes watch bad reality television in the morning but free in the afternoon, well -- I would be an EXCEEDS Employee.   Excuse me while I go update my LinkedIn Profile.   

Anyway, today I made some chili and it occurred to me that I need to share this chili recipe here because: 

1.  It is Easy -- so easy you can sleepwalk through it at 5am and have lunch ready by 6am!  2.  It is Very Customizable and Packs some Major Vegetable Punch in One Pot-- flexible with the ingredients you have on hand, and efficient. 

3.  It is Delicious. 

That is quite the trifecta, I think -- so here we go.   

Holly's Famous to Dozens Chili

The Basic Ingredients

Your Favorite Oil to coat the pan

1 Large Onion

2 Cloves Garlic, minced

3-4 Carrots, chopped

1-2 zucchini, chopped

1-2 yellow squash, chopped

1 LB Ground Beef or Turkey

The  Spices

2 TBS Chili Powder

1 TBS Paprika

1-2 tsp  Red Pepper Flakes (depending on how spicy you like it!)

1.5 tsp Cumin

Some Cayenne if you feel really spicy -- I rarely do, but Garrett LOVES it

Salt & Pepper, OBVIOUSLY

Other Liquid Stuff

1 Can Diced Tomatoes with liquid (the 14 ish oz kind)

1 14 oz Can Tomato Sauce

1 Cup Broth (chicken/beef depending on what meat you used)

1 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar

The Final Ingredients

2 Peppers (any color) diced

1 Can Beans (whatever you have on hand, if going Paleo, leave them out)

Toppings

Cheese

Avocado

Sour Cream

Green Onions

Corn Chips (if you are feeling really crazy!)

Instructions

• Dice all your Basic Ingredients (minus the meat) and get them cooking in your favorite oil.  Salt and Pepper generously.
• Add the meat and let it cook up a bit.  Salt and Pepper generously. 
• Add The Spices, and give it a good stir.  It will start to actually look chili-like.  Weird. 
• Add the Other Liquid Stuff and bring to a boil.  Lower heat, then cover and let simmer for about 40 minutes
• Add The Final Ingredients and cook with the lid off for about 10 more minutes
• Serve with Toppings!

That last part is the best part, you know.