Blue's Take On Wendy's Chili

Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can cannellini beans (plus liquid)
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can pinto beans (plus liquid)
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can black beans (plus liquid)
• 1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
• 1 cup sweet onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/3 cup celery
• 1 red sweet bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 3 teaspoons cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon mexican oregano
• 1 1/2 cups water

Recipe

• 1 heat olive oil over medium-low heat on stove top in a large dutch oven.
• 2 dice veggies (onion, celery, garlic, bell pepper) and add to hot oil. sweat them for about 5 minutes.
• 3 increase heat to med-high and add meat. cook until browned.
• 4 add seasoning to ground beef mixture and cook another 2 minutes.
• 5 deglaze pot with the can of tomato and their juice ,scraping up any browned bits on the bottom,.
• 6 add the rest of the ingredients and reduce heat to low.
• 7 simmer uncovered 4 hours and stir occasionally.
• 8 skim fat off of top if needed feeds 8-10 depending on appitites.
• 9 top with cheddar or manchego cheese, sour cream. hot sauce, green onions, tortilla chips or crackers if desired.