Champion Chili

In the Heartland, Champion Chili's a definite winner! (And your family'll feel like the biggest winners when they taste this.)

Serves: 10

Cooking Time: 3 hr 5 min

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 medium-sized onions, diced
• 1 medium-sized green bell pepper, diced
• 1 large celery stalk, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 pounds lean ground meat
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies
• 1 (14-1/2-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 2/3 cup (3-ounce bottle) chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (or to taste)
• 6 ounces (1/2 a 12-ounce can) beer
• 1 1/2 cups club soda or mineral water
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute onions, green pepper, and celery just until soft. Add garlic and meat; break up meat and cook until it browns completely. Stir in remaining ingredients.
    
2. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 3 hours, stirring often.
    
3. Remove bay leaves before serving.
    

Note

How about having this on hand with a loaf of crusty bread for your weekend at home?