Easy, Delicious Fall Chili

Although many people think living in Florida is non-stop paradise, there are definitely draw backs.  There’s the never-ending frizzy hair, the horrendous driving conditions caused by tourists and snowbirds, and perhaps, worst of all, the complete lack of a proper soup season.  Yes, there is a lot to be said for flip flops year round, but eating a hot pot of soup/chili/stew with the A/C blasting should be a crime!

Needless to say, as a Florida transplant to Tennessee, I not only love the fall, I’m actually IN love with it! There’s just something about a crisp morning spent on the front porch or a walk through the park as leaves change color before your eyes that can’t be matched. And there’s nothing better than a weekend full of football accompanied by a hot, delicious pot of fall chili.

I stole this recipe from my mother-in-law when we moved to Franklin a year ago, and it’s become a staple in our house.  This recipe makes a big batch that’s perfect for inviting the neighbors over, or simply saving for lunch leftovers throughout the week. And, truth be told, because this is one of the easiest, most satisfying recipes in my arsenal, it pops up even on the summer menu from time to time.

Here’s a quick run down for my favorite fall chili!

What You’ll Need:

• 1 lb ground beef (Splurge for the grassfed and your tastebuds will thank you!)
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cups organic tomato juice
• 4 cans organic dark red kidney beans, drained
• 2 jars Tabasco chili starter.  You can spice your chili up by using the hotter varieties if you’d like!
• Shredded sharp cheddar, sour cream, saltine crackers to garnish

What to Do:

1. In a stock pot, lightly sauté the onion and bell pepper in a little bit of oil

2. Make a well and brown your beef

3. Add beans, tomato juice, and jars of starter spices

4. Simmer on low for 45-minutes to 2-hours.  (You can actually just heat long enough to warm through completely, but I find the longer it simmer, the better it tastes)

Serve with toppings of your choice and enjoy!

 

We have a lot of football to watch, so we’d love to know what some of your favorite, easy fall recipes are!