As much as I love to cook I also enjoy the ease of making a one pot meal. Chili is one my favorite one pot wonders. It only gets better as it sits in the refrigerator overnight. My husband really enjoys it and asks for it often. I remember my Mom making chili when I was a child. She always served it over mashed potatoes, which is still my favorite way to eat it.However, there are a few differences between my chili and my Mom's...

I add tomato paste to make the chili rich. I also add three whole cloves while the chili is simmering. I love the hint of warm spice they impart. I take them out before I serve the chili. You could add a pinch to 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves.

Sometimes I add a teaspoon or two of garam masala. This Indian spice imparts more flavor and warmth. Sometimes I add 4 or 5 dashes of Tabasco for a hint of heat. I taste the chili as it's cooking and make flavor adjustments.

The best thing about chili is there isn't only one way to make it. You can give it a different hint of flavor every time you make it!


My Best Homemade Chili Recipe

2 medium yellow onions
2 pounds ground beef (I suggest 85% lean)
1 large green bell pepper
2 - 19 oz. cans dark red kidney beans with the juice
1 - 28 oz can diced tomatoes with the juice
1 - 6 oz can tomato paste
2 cups water
4 tablespoons chili powder
4 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
3 whole cloves

Dice the onions. Brown the meat and onions together in a large pot. Drain off fat. Dice green pepper and add to pot. Add kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and two cups of water. Stir well. Add seasonings, garlic and cloves. Stir well. Bring to boil, then turn down to simmer. Add more water as needed to obtain desired consistency. Let simmer 45 minutes to one hour.

Serves 6-8

Click here to print this recipe

Quick & Easy Recipes


Appetizers - Caper Dip, Hummus, Almond Dip, Sweet & Sour Curry Dip
Basic Meatloaf Recipe
Best Homemade Chili Recipe
Caramelized Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Homemade Turkey Vegetable and Noodle Soup
Maryland Lump Crab Cake
Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Tomatoes with Garlic and Balsamic Vinegar
Split Pea Soup, Magic Pan Restaurant
Sweet Dill Pickle Recipe
Three Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Tomato, Zucchini & Eggplant Bread Gratin
Vegetable Ribbons, Steamed, Sauteed
Whole Baked Chicken Recipe

Tasty & Easy Green Bean Recipes


Armenian Green Beans with Ground Meat and Tomatoes (Fassoulia)
Blanched Green Beans
Cream of Green Bean Soup (Company's Coming)
Fried Green Beans
Dilly Green Beans Recipe - Canning Recipe
Ginger Garlic Green Beans
Greek Green Beans
Greek Potatoes and Green Beans
Green Bean Soup (Company's Coming)
Green Beans a'la Waterman's
Green Beans Almondine
Green Beans Almondine (with a hint of lemon)
Green Beans Almondine (with an Asian flair)
Green Beans Almondine (with mushrooms)
Green Beans and Prosciutto Pasta Salad
Green Bean Casserole (Campbell's)
Green Bean Casserole (Cook's Illustrated)
Green Beans, Endive & Boston Lettuce Salad
Green Beans in Sour Cream & Tomato Sauce
Green Beans Provençal, Chef Simone Beck
Green Beans Provençal, Cooking Light
Green Bean Salad, Dill, Parsley & Savory
Green Bean Salad, Feta & Pecans
Green Bean Salad, Soy Glazed Almonds, Cilantro
Green Beans with Coconut
Green Beans with Ginger Butter
Green Beans with Onion Paste (Madhur Jaffrey)
Green Beans with Roman Mustard
Green Beans with Shallots
Italian Green Beans (St. Anna Beans)
Lemon Green Bean & Celery Salad
Oven Roasted Green Beans
Pears with Green Beans & Bacon
Persian Green Beans & Rice (Lubia Polo)
Sautéed Green Beans with Hazelnut Crumbs
Sesame & Portobello Green Beans
Sicilian Green Bean & Fennel Salad (Cooking Light)
Stir-Fried Green Beans with Pork & Chilies
Sweet & Sour Green Beans
Thai Green Beans (Cooking Light)
Three Bean Salad Recipe
White Bean, Green Bean & Red Bell Pepper Salad