Classic Sunday Chicago Chili

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 pound ground veal
• 1 pound ground beef (or bison)
• 1 pound italian sausage meat, sweet or hot, removed from casing
• 2 cups diced onions
• 7 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder (be sure it is unsweetened!)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano (Mexican if you can find it)
• 2 14.5 oz cans crushed tomatoes, San Marzano if possible
• 12 ounces beer, whatever you have around
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 3 15 oz cans cannelini beans (or other small white bean, or your preferred bean)

1. Heat oil in large pot till shimmering, then add onions and cook till translucent.
2. Add garlic and meats (sausage meat removed from casing) and cook till lightly browned. I use a potato masher to break the meat up as it cooks.
3. Add spices and herbs and tomato paste and cook additional 10 minutes
4. Add tomatoes with juice, beer, and cocoa powder and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes.
5. Add beans and cook 10 minutes to heat through.
6. For best flavor refrigerate overnight and then reheat slowly over med-low heat on stovetop or in a slow cooker on low.
7. You can substitute ground turkey meat and turkey sausage for a lighter version, or Smart Ground meat substitute for vegetarians.
8. For parties, I love setting up a Chili Bar. I will make a regular version, and either a turkey or veggie version and lay out the following for people to really customize their perfect bowl!rnrnTopping Bar:rnrnTater TotsrnTortilla StripsrnShredded Cheeses (sharp cheddar, pepper jack, goat cheese)rnChopped onionsrnChopped roasted chilies (jalapenos or Anaheim or pepperdew)rnChopped roasted sweet red peppersrnGuacamole or Chopped AvocadornLime WedgesrnCheez-it crackersrnFritosrnNacho Cheese Sauce (one large brick Velveeta melted with one can Ro-tel diced tomatoes and green chilies with the juice)rnBlack olivesrngreen olivesrnChopped cilantrornChopped parsleyrnJulienned jicamarnRoasted Corn (cut off the cob)rnFresh chopped tomatoesrnRed Pepper FlakesrnDifferent Hot SaucesrnCorn Bread Croutons (make a not-too-sweet cornbread recipe, let sit overnight, cut into squares, spray with cooking spray and toast in a 400 degree oven for 5-10 minutes until crisp)rnSour CreamrnJalapeno Oil (blend fresh jalapeno with olive oil and strain)rnrnFor fun bases:rnBaked Potatoes (regular and sweet)rnFried Tortilla baskets (corn and/or flour)rnShredded lettuce for making taco saladsrnCooked macaroni or spaghetti (toss in olive oil to prevent sticking)rnCooked Rice (toss in olive oil to prevent sticking)

olive oil, ground veal, ground beef, sausage meat, onions, chili powder, cocoa, garlic, ground cumin, thyme, oregano, tomatoes, around, tomato paste, cannelini beans

Taken from food52.com/recipes/15915-classic-sunday-chicago-chili (may not work)