Mama Downen's Friday Night Lights Chili

Mama Downen's Friday Night Lights Chili

Of course, as with any good chili recipe, I'm required to start this post with one quick statement: This chili is award winning! My high school started up an annual chili cook-off fund raiser that my mother entered and WON. Now that I've gotten that cleared up, here's the recipe:

A "quick and easy" chili recipe that's delicious, cheap and hearty. The recipe can also easily be upgraded/downgraded by swapping out and adding ingredients to make it spicier, sweeter, or wherever your tongue may lead you! I usually add minced garlic and habaneros to scorch my guests' tongues, swap the canned tomatoes with fresh ones, and use half a cup less water...

~Scottie

Prep. Time ~10 minutes                     Cook Time: ~30 minutes              Total: ~40 minutes

Ingredients:
1 white onion, chopped (1/2 in chili, 1/2 for toppings)
2 jalapeños, stemmed and chopped (keep seeds for heat)
1 lb. ground serloin
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1-2 tsp. ground cumin
1-2 tsp. garlic powder
1 can "Texas Chili Style" beans
1 can Rotel tomatoes (with peppers)
1 small can tomato sauce
1 cup water (fill up the empty tomato sauce can)
1 tbsp. olive oil
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Toppings:
Cheese
Sour cream
Chips/crackers (Fritos...yum)

Steps:
1. In a medium sized pot over med/high heat, sautée the jalapeños and 1/2 of the onion in olive oil.
2. Add beef, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook until brown.
3. Add beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and water to the pot.
4. Reduce heat to med/low, cover, and allow to simmer for approximately 30 minutes.
5. Serve with cheese, sour cream, onions, your favorite hot sauce, and FRITOS! (Or crackers, etc.)
Of course, as with any good recipe, there are a few "award winning" features that have been left out to maintain the magic of Mama Downen's Chili. I would include them if I knew what they were...