This chili is perfect for a...wait for it..."chilly" day.  Or what we in West Palm Beach know as a chilly chili day to be a high 70 degrees with your windows open kind of day.  Nevertheless...a perfect day for chili.  I am a big believer that, for the most part, people shouldn't be rushing to go to the store in order to make dinner.  I think that a lot of people have things in the freezer or pantry just waiting to be combined for a great meal.  And those of us with children, little children, for me, ages 3 and 10 months, do not want to be loading up children to make a quick trip into the store...or at least I don't.  Also, you will notice that I have used organic products, but you do not have to.

Step 1
I heated up my enamel coated dutch oven.  You can use a large pot if you don't have one, just spray your pan or put a thin layer of oil so meat won't stick.  Brown the meat and then drain.  *Confession: I keep the grease because it adds flavor, but it depends how fatty the ground meat you use is.*  I used the organic ground beef from Costco which is 1.34 lbs.  When it was almost finished browning I seasoned it with Paula Dean's House Seasoning and her Southern Spice Rub.  If you don't have her stuff, it's fine!  Just use salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and some cayenne pepper if you like some heat!  Really you are just seasoning to taste...of course don't taste it until it's fully browned! 

 I then added a can of the following:  organic corn and organic black beans, because I was going for a "Southwest Chili" and I added a can of navy beans because they are so mild and creamy and they give you extra fiber and protein.  Drain the cans.  A quick drain is fine.Then I added a jar of salsa, as I learned from a Polish friend of mine that the key to a really good chili is a really good salsa base.  I use salsa in all my chili's.  Then I used, and you might have to do organic if you can't find it, the Muir Glen FIRE roasted diced tomatoes.  OMGEE!  So delish!!!

Combine all of them and this is what you get!

Then you "plate" it...or in this case, "bowl" it!

I added grated mozzarella cheese because it's so gooey and delicious when melted but you can use your favorite!  I also add sour cream and a sprinkle cilantro.

I hope you enjoy and if you have any other suggestions or feedback, let me know!!!

Other ways you can eat it is served on rice, spaghetti noodles, Frito's, add a fried egg or even sprinkle oyster crackers on top.  The possibilities are endless...