Camp Chili, Tom-style

Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 3 tablespoons bacon drippings or 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 large red onions, coarsely chopped
• 4 lbs ground beef
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans
• 3 dried red chilies, roasted 1 minute and minced (or chili powder, to taste)
• 1 3/4 cups water (optional)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
• 1 cup cornflour (optional)
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Recipe

• 1 heat oil in a heavy dutch oven over medium heat, add onions and cook until they are translucent.
• 2 combine the beef with the garlic, minced chili, cumin, brown sugar and oregano.
• 3 add meat and spices to pot with onions.
• 4 break up any lumps with a fork and continue to cook.
• 5 add tomato sauce, water and salt.
• 6 bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour.
• 7 stir in the corn flour/water to achieve desired consistency.
• 8 cook 15 minutes longer, stirring. the longer you let it cook, the more flavorful it becomes.
• 9 adjust seasonings to taste.
• 10 serve over rice or with crackers.