Quintessential Fall Food: Chili!

I don't know why it is but every fall as the weather starts to turn chilly, I start to get very excited  thinking of my fall foods and what I should make first.  Usually the pantheon of culinary creations includes at least stew, chili, and anything pumpkin and this year the story is no different. About a week ago I bought all of the fixings for chili and have anxiously awaited the day that I would make this joyous concoction.  Yesterday, I decided, was the day and I made Crockpot Chili.  Now as most people may know about me, sometimes I use recipes but mostly I just take all of the recipes I have seen or used and come up with my own version.  Sometimes I can give you the exact recipe and sometimes, I will just tell you what I put in and I will always try to include a photo because seeing the deliciousness is almost as good as eating it!



Crockpot Chili

I put a little extra virgin olive oil in the crockpot and then added the following
1 can of Ranch Style beans
1 can of chili beans
1 can of pork and beans
1 can of Great northern white beans
1 can of Red Kidney beans
1 can of diced tomatoes w/ Rosemary and Olive Oil
2 tbsp of tomato paste
1 tbsp of molasses
1 good squirt of mustard
1 good squirt of ketchup
about 1 tsp of liquid smoke
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp of chili powder
1 tbsp of cumin
1 tsp of coriander
1 tsp of season salt
1 tsp of mesquite BBQ seasoning
about a tbsp of garlic salt
and salt and pepper to taste, actually all of the seasonings are to taste, if you like it more spicey, add more chili powder and cumin

I added all of this to the crockpot and then I browned in a little olive oil:
1.5 pds of 80/20 beef
2 strips of maple bacon
1 diced yellow onion
I then drained the fat and added this to the crockpot.

It seemed a little dry so I added a little water at this point.  I then let it cook on high for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally.  When I was about ready to serve, I adjusted the flavor by adding a bit more salt and pepper and then served it up with shredded colby jack cheese, diced green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and Frito chips.  Mix that altogether and it was heaven in a bowl.....really.  We had fresh apple juice and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for dessert and my oh my, it was Fall.

I hope you will try this dish out and enjoy it as much as my family and I did.  I am not sure why I never make chili any other time of the year but it means Autumn for me and brought my favorite season of the year to a very happy climax!