Drunken Chili

I have been thinking about chili for the last month, but have been forcing my self to wait for the temperatures to drop. The leaves are changing and  finally so are the temperatures.  This is a fall family favorite.  I used to make chili from a kit and was challenged by a friend to learn to make it without the crutch.  I spent some time searching the web to find the perfect recipe, but nothing satisfied my very particular nephew.  I developed this version by taking another recipe as my starting point and then basically gutting it.  Feel free to modify and adjust spices and seasoning to what suits your taste.  It tastes even better the next day, so make it a day ahead if you can!

Ingredients 
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium to large chopped onion
8 large cloves garlic minced
2 1/2 lbs ground beef
8 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon red pepper (or more if you like it spicy)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1  teaspoon black pepper
1 6 oz can tomato paste
1 12 oz dark beer (or whatever you have on hand) or chicken broth for gluten free
1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 cup water

Optional Toppings
Grated sharp cheddar
Sour cream
Corn chips
Chopped Onion

Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot on medium heat.  Add the onions when the oil is hot and saute until almost translucent, about 2 minutes.  Then, add garlic and saute another minute until onions are translucent.  Add ground beef and break apart until the onions and garlic are mixed in well.  This next part is a bit different than most recipes.  I like to add my spices to the meat while it is cooking.  I think it adds more flavor.  So stir in everything from the chili powder to the black pepper and brown the ground beef. Next, add the tomato paste.  Stir this in and let it cook for just a minute.  Pour in the beer, crushed tomatoes, and water.  Stir everything really well and bring up to a nice simmer.  Let it cook for about an hour and a half on low heat, stirring occasionally and adding more water if need be.  Ladle it up,  add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!​

Most of the ingredients, I had already started cooking when I decided to publish this recipe. So you also need an onion and some olive oil.

One medium chopped onion sauteing in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Add in the garlic and continue to saute until the onions are translucent.

Add in the ground beef, break up with the spoon until the onions and garlic are mixed in well.

Mix in the all the spices.

Cook until the beef is browned.

Stir in the tomato paste.

Pour in the beer or chicken broth. I usually like to use a dark beer, like Guinness, but this is what I had on hand.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for the next hour and half.

Ladle it up into a bowl and put in your favorite toppings!