The Quintessential Dish-Chili

Snow Toward Evening

by Melville Cane

Suddenly the sky turned gray,

The day,

Which had been bitter and chill,

Grew soft and still.

Quietly

from some invisible blossoming tree

Millions of petals cool and white

Drifted and blew,

Lifted and flew,

Fell with the falling night.

Chili

Cook’s Notes: Ever Ready has updated an original recipe from several years ago. The recipe serves 8-10 and tastes better made a day or two ahead for flavors to meld. The addition of espresso powder deepens the flavor. Great for holiday company to warm up on those chilly evenings.
The recipe can easily be halved for a smaller group. It also freezes well to save for holiday or game day gatherings.  

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. hamburger or Italian sausage, cooked, drained and crumbled 
• 4 cups diced celery 
• 4 cups diced sweet onions 
• 1 TB. olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 (24 oz.) jars of spicy tomato basil sauce or Marinara sauce
• 3 cans (14.5) diced tomatoes basil, garlic, oregano 
• 1-cup ketchup  
• 2 cups water 
• 4 TB. fresh lemon juice 
• 2 TB. brown sugar 
• 2 ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce 
• 2 tsp. cider vinegar 
• 1 tsp. dry mustard 
• 1 tsp.espresso powder
• 3 cans light or dark red red kidney beans or a combination of both, rinsed and drained. 
• 3-4 TB. chili powder 

Directions:

• In a soup pot add olive oil and heat. Add in meat with onions, celery, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and on a medium low heat, cook about 10 minutes. Crumble meat, drain and set aside. 
• Add to soup pot rest of the ingredients and mix well. Add meat, onions and celery back to soup pot. 
• Simmer on low heat covered 1-2 hours stirring occasionally.
  

Grinch Rerun