Simple Chili Recipe

Fall and Winter are for cozy, warming foods like stews and chili. My mum has been making this recipe for years and it's been put into regular rotation in my home now too. It uses only a couple basic pantry ingredients, your choice of protein and some simple garnishes if you so wish. It comes together in about 15 minutes plus however long you have to let it simmer - the longer the better, I usually do about 30 mins if I can but sometimes it's only for 10-15 mins. If there's two of you, it makes great leftovers for lunch or another dinner the next day. I like to have mine with sour cream and cilantro, but it's also great with grated cheese, avocado, or green onions too. We even making this in the summer when we go camping since it comes together so quickly and is a hearty meal just on its own. If I have some frozen corn in the freezer, I'll sometimes throw that in too.

Simple Chili Recipe

1 small red onion, diced

1 lb ground turkey, beef, or crumbled tofu

1 28 oz/796 ml can whole tomatoes

2 19 oz/540 ml cans beans (I do 1 can red kidney beans and 1 can black beans but you can double up on either)

2-3 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp salt, or to taste

Sour cream, cilantro, cheese, or green onions to garnish

1. In a medium pot (I use a Le Creuset), sauté the onion with some olive oil until soft, about 3-5 minutes.

2. Add your ground meat or tofu, breaking it up with a spatula or spoon.

3. When the meat is just cooked through, add the can of whole tomatoes (including juices), the beans, 2 tbsp chili powder and 1 tsp salt. Stir together and bring to an "almost boil". Turn to low and let simmer for 15-30 minutes.

4. Add more chili powder and/or salt if it needs is.

5. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and cilantro, or sprinkle on grated cheese and green onion.