Not Texan, But Still Good CHILI (and a vegetarian version)

½ – 1 lb sausage ½ - 1 lb cubed or ground beef ½ cup onion 2T olive oil 2 cloves garlic ½ t crushed red pepper 1 t cumin 1 T chili powder 1 T season salt 14 oz can chili style beans 14 oz can kidney beans (drained) 10 oz can Rotel 28 oz can crushed tomatoes 14 oz can diced tomatoes ½ t brown sugar s&p

Chili follows the same rules as spaghetti sauce, anything goes, really. Fry the onions and meat until the meat is cooked through and the onions are a little translucent then add the garlic and seasonings, fry for just another minute (garlic burns quickly, be careful). Then add all the beans and tomatoes. I use whole cumin that I grind in a mortar and pestle. It tastes fresher, but can easily be substituted for ground if that's what you have. Cumin is what makes chili taste like chili, I think. You will have to play with the seasonings to get it just how you like it, I know we like it spicier than a lot of families. The amounts listed are just basic starting points. You can use just unseasoned canned or dried beans and skip the ones in the chili flavorings but it just gives you a little head start.

Easy Vegetarian Chili

1 medium onion, diced 2T olive oil 2 cloves garlic, pressed or chopped 2 cans chili beans 1 can diced tomatoes and green chilis (Rotel) 1 can crushed tomatoes 1 can kidney beans 1/2T ground cumin 1/2T chili powder 1/2T cayenne 1T seasoned salt or Jane’s Krazy Salt

Sauté onion in oil over medium-high heat until translucent, add garlic and spices, sauté another minute. Add all other ingredients, reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer as long as you like.