Secret Chili Recipe

When I first came to the US I used to make the Swedish version of Chili Con Carne, a pretty basic staple in the Swedish kitchen. But after hand I got inspired by the myriad of American recipes for chili out there. It all involved into a recipe that I have tweaked over the years, and which now is truly my very own, healthy, tasty and super easy to make chili.

SweFlo's Chili

You will need:
1 lb of ground meat (you can use beef or turkey, all depending on how lean you want it)
1-2 yellow onions, chopped into chunky pieces (I love the sweet Vidalia onion for this dish)
1 large can or two regular cans of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 regular can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 regular can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 regular can of white beans (cannellini or regular white is fine)
1 can of corn, drained
3 cans of Ro*Tel tomatoes with chilies (see pictures below so you know what to get at the store)
NOTE: This is the secret that makes the chili, DO NOT skip!. Depending on you preference for hotness you can use the mild, original or extra hot. I have found that 2 cans of the mild and 1 of the original gives a perfect balance. DO NOT drain cans!

Handful of Cilantro leaves (not necessary if you do not like cilantro)
Couple of garlic cloves, pressed or minced
Salt and pepper if desired
You can of course try your own favorite kind of beans, it is an easy dish to mix up...

Secret ingredients - do not omit!

Preparation:
In a very large pan, heat a little oil, put in the chopped onions and stir around for a few minutes. Add the ground meat, stir and break up into small pieces. Cook until no longer pink. Add tomatoes (with liquid), add the garlic and pepper (if desired). Add all beans and corn. Heat through. Add cilantro. Ready! Wasn't that the easiest ever? Good for you and so easy! Yummy too! This makes a huge batch good for when you have company, or you can easily freeze leftovers for a quick lunch or dinner later on.

Enjoy!