Sweet Stovetop Chili

Is it snowing like crazy where you are? This has been a rough winter here in Pennsylvania!

So today I have a seasonally appropriate chili recipe for you.

I’m not even sure I am technically allowed to call this chili, but I’m not sure what else to call it.

The rest of my family doesn’t really love traditional chili recipes and Eddie hates beans, so I never make it. But this crazy winter weather had me craving chili, so I made my own alternative version that doesn’t actually taste a thing like chili, except for the texture and the warmth. I was happy with the way it came out and the little taste-testers approved. It’s much sweeter than a traditional chili. More like chili and sloppy joes had a baby together. Also, I put chocolate in it. And beer.

So there’s that. But mostly it’s just vegetables and meat. I made it in my favorite pot of all time: my Le Creuset Dutch Oven. I’ll be sharing more one-pot dutch oven recipes like this one over the next few weeks. If the Le Creuset is out of your price range right now, the Lodge is a great option too.

Steph’s Sweet Stovetop Chili

Ingredients:

1 carrot, diced

1 stick of celery, diced

1 green pepper, diced

1 small white onion, diced

3 ripe tomatoes, chopped (not seeded)

3 cloves of garlic, pressed

1 lb of ground beef, browned

1 can of tomato paste

1/2 cup of dark beer (I used Yuengling)

2 bite sized pieces of dark chocolate (optional)

2 cups of water cup of water

1 tablespoon of steak sauce (I used A1)

Spices to taste: salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, cayenne

 Directions:

1. Coat the bottom of a dutch oven with olive oil.  Add the diced vegetables, garlic, and spices. Cook until all vegetables are soft.

2. When vegetables are soft, mash with a potato masher until the tomato chunks are gone and the sauce is thick. Keep it simmering on low heat.

3. Brown ground beef and add it to the dutch oven. Also add steak sauce, tomato paste, water and beer.

3. Turn heat to low and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.

4. Melt in 2 bite-sized pieces of dark chocolate, if desired. (But why not?)

5. Taste and add additional spices if necessary.

6. Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream.

Serves 6