Chili, With Or Without The Meat

• 2 lbs ground chuck (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium diced onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 cup cumin
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup catsup
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Gravy Master
• 1 medium diced zucchini
• 2 cups minced carrots
• 1 medium diced green pepper
• 1 medium diced yellow squash
• 1 (42 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained,with juice reserved
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained, and mashed smooth
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
• 1 medium diced hot pepper

1. (For optional chili with meat: Saute ground chuck in a large pot until all pink is gone. Put in a sieve to drain and put aside).
2. In the same pan, saute onion and garlic in the olive oil until onion is soft.
3. Mix in the remaining ingredients except for reserved tomato juice.
4. (If using meat, add it now).
5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for 45 minutes. It doesn't look like there's enough liquid to come to a boil, but there is more than you think.
6. Add tomato juice, while cooking, if needed. If it gets too watery for you, add some dried bread crumbs. Taste and adjust seasoning to your desire.
7. Serve with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.
8. If you can make this a day ahead and reheat it, it's even better.

ground chuck, olive oil, onion, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt, tabasco sauce, cocoa, catsup, worcestershire sauce, master, zucchini, carrots, green pepper, yellow squash, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, blackeyed peas, black beans, hot pepper

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/chili-with-or-without-the-meat-11651 (may not work)