Aunt Karlee's Chili is what's cooking!

My cousin Karlee has a fabulous Chili Recipe. My family loves it. I especially love it because it is so easy. The main word I have eliminated from the title is Chicken. Add it if you want. I personally do not think it is necessary. A few months ago I made it, how I always have, with chicken, and told the engineer, "If only it did not have chicken in it, it is really ruining the taste." That meal was the 1st premonition of food for me.

Onto the recipe - luckily this week, in Zürich, we have had a little more "Fall" weather with rain and a nice morning and evening chill in the air! It feels like the perfect time to try out all my new recipes and everyone knows that comfort food tastes so much better when it is cold outside.

Let me be perfectly clear, this recipe is not a chili cook off contender - it is not meant to be!
It is simply a good easy chili that of course can be made into a chili bar where everyone gets to add their own toppings. Are you seeing a pattern here? I really like for everyone to customize their own meal at the end with toppings. I find it is an easy way to make everyone happy and full. In my opinion this chili is not finished without the toppings.

Karlee's Chili Recipe
adapted by Jenna

2 8 oz. cans stewed or diced tomatoes
2 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 can mild green chilies (imported from AZ, of course)
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
Salt and Pepper to taste

Put everything in a medium size saucepan on the stove, heat and stir. Or combine everything in a slow cooker and simmer on low all day.

recipe tips:

- use whatever amount or combination of beans you have or prefer

- if you like your chili super thick, strain beans and tomatoes, if you like a soupy chili, drain everything well

Toppings can include but are not limited to:

- green onions or finely minced onion
- guacamole or diced avocado
- sour cream (soy?)
- cheese - optional(I have not been able to find soy cheese here yet?)
- diced chicken (if you are trying to please a meat eater, try this as a topping)

There are a couple ways we enjoy this chili:

A big bowl of Tortilla Chips on the table to dip chili with! This is always the girls #1 choice.

Served over rice or quinoa.

I have had it both ways many times and I think both options are delicious. After writing this recipe maybe I should change the title to 9 can chili?

Please recycle!

En Guete!