It’s already Winter here in Ottawa so it’s definitely time for foods that make you feel warm and cozy! You’ll find me dancing around the house with a blanket singing [read: to stay warm] as I make the staple known as chilli con carne, otherwise known shorthand as chilli.
Out of interest one day, I looked up the origins of where chilli came from and although it seems to be a dish with Spanish roots that has since become Americanized, I think we can all agree that we benefited from whomever created and recorded the first ever recipe for this phenomenal meal! For more on the speculated history of chilli, check out National Chilli Day’s article. Another reference here on What’s Cooking America.
If you’re looking for a budget friendly meal that can feed the whole family and leftovers (at least 6 people, half of those being people who eat a lot), chilli is a really great way to get everyone the protein, veggies/vitamins, complex carbs, and fibre that they need.
Mixed Beans – $2.50-$3: Organic Here or Here
Bunch of Carrots – $1-$2
Bell Pepper – $1.50
Diced Tomatoes – $3 canned or fresh tomatoes (can use cherry tomatoes): Canned Here
Crushed Tomato – $3.50: Canned Here
Celery Bunch – $2
Ground Beef 2lbs (900g) – $12
Spices and Hot Peppers – a couple dollars if you don’t already have
Bovril Beef Stock – $3.50: Here
TOTAL: $30-$35
Do you love it yet? I sure do! For gluten free folks, pair with GF bread or corn chips.
Budget Friendly Series: Hearty Beef Chilli
For cold nights and hungry stomachs - a chilli filled with beef, veggies, and a slight spice to warm up your night. Make in a slow cooker and leave all day while you're at work to come home to a fast and easy meal for the whole family!
Ingredients
- 1 large can crushed tomato 796ml or approx. 3 1/4 cups if not using can
- 1 large can diced tomato 796ml or approx. 3 1/4 cups if not using can
- 2 long stalks celery
- 1 large carrot
- 2 lbs ground beef 900g
- 2 tbsp Bovril beef stock thick stock "sauce" rather than stock broth
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- salt + pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chilli powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper powder
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp spicy oregano
Optional
- 1 cup corn kernals
- jalepeno peppers to taste, diced
Instructions
-
In a pot or frying pan, cook ground beef thoroughly and when close to done, incorporate the Bovril beef stock. Dice carrots, celery, pepper, and tomatoes (if not using a can). In a slower cooker, add all ingredients and set to low for 4-6 hours.
If you're cooking this all at once, use a very large soup pot and let the chilli mix simmer on low for 1 hour 30 minutes or until veggies are cooked through and beans are soft. Stir often.
Recipe Notes
The brown sugar is a passed on tip from my boyfriend's family! The slight amount of sugar helps to offset the tanginess you get from all tomato based meals. Try it for your chilli and then try it if you make any other tomato based soups/sauces.
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