I’m no Pioneer Woman (I’m pretty sure she cooks more than once every few weeks), but I do make a terrific chili.  FYI the chili above is not my actual chili–it never hangs around long enough for me to get a picture. (source)

It’s really rather simple.  Let’s be honest, if I can make it, is has to be simple.  And since it’s one of our most favorite fall/winter foods, I thought I’d share the recipe with you guys.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 pound hamburger meat
  • 1 pound bacon
  • 28 oz. tomato paste (or crushed tomatoes….don’t be too picky.)
  • 1 can Rotel
  • taco seasoning (No, not chili seasoning.  Taco seasoning.  McCormick’s is my favorite.)
  • 1 onion, diced (sliced, chopped—choose your fancy.)
  • 1 and 1/2 cup salsa (I use Tostitos mild salsa most of the time, but if I’m feeling really froggy I make my own using this recipe.
What you’ll do:
  • Brown hamburger meat.  Drain.
  • In your crockpot, combine the tomato paste, Rotel, taco seasoning, onion, and salsa.
  • Add hamburger meat.
  • Cook and crumble bacon, then add this to the crockpot, too.
  • Let simmer on low about an hour.
Ta-da!  World’s Best Chili.  (Seriously, it’s won my church’s chili cook-off three times!)  The best part?  My girls eat it with little to no complaining, and that’s major.  Those girls don’t eat anything.
PS:  Thank you for ignoring the fact that I am completely failing at the whole #Write31Days thing.  I’m just giving myself lots of grace. 🙂
PPS:  Feel free to share your favorite recipe with me.  We especially love soups this time of year.