Chili

With the cold weather I have been making lots of soups.  And I think it's always fun to experiment a little and make it slightly different each time. I have to say this is the best chili that I have ever made.

1 swirl Olive Oil                                                     1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 pound ground beef                                              1/2 to 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

1 onion, chopped                                                   1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

1 green bell pepper, chopped                                 1/2  cup dark brown sugar

1 jalepeno diced                                                    1 1/2 cups beef broth

4 ribs celery, chopped                                           3/4 of a large 64 ounce bottle tomato juice          

3 to 4 Tablespoons Dark Chili Powder                  1 large can diced tomatoes

1/2 to 1 teaspoon Cumin                                       2 cans chili beans

1 teaspoon Salt

Heat the olive oil and sauté onion, green pepper, jalepeno, and celery until soft.  Stir in ground beef and spices and let cook a little bit. Then add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then turn down and simmer for 3 to 4 hours.  Note on the spices...I usually don't measure so it is my best guess, start with less and you can always add more to suite your taste buds.  Hard to adjust once you get too much of any one thing in the pot!

Serve with corn bread.