6 Ways to Eat Chili in the Summer (and my rockin’ recipe)

We’ve been having unseasonably cold weather. Y’all, it’s 50 degrees. And raining. In May.

North Carolina and I have been having some looong talks about how this was not in the agreement, and she better get her act together.

However, in perhaps the one solitary *plus* to the wretched winter weather in May: I can keep making winter food, which I love. Like chili.

Here are the reasons I love chili.

1. One pot meal.
2. *Somewhat* healthy.
3. *Somewhat* easy.
4. You can do a bazillion different things with the leftovers.
5. Kids like it, I like it, Todd like it, we all be likin’ it.

I’ve already posted here my Southern Cornbread and Chili Casserole, which I could eat in 100 degrees on the beach it’s so stinkin’ delicious. If you, like me, have a weird obsession with chili, here are some ways you can talk yourself into making it a warm-weather dish:

• Taco Salad – Serve it over warm, but not hot, over romaine lettuce, with corn chips, cheese, sour cream, avocados, and tomatoes.
• Chili Burritos – spoon in tortillas, mix in cheese, bake at 350 for 30 minutes and spoon fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and avocados on top!
• Chili Stuffed Peppers! spoon into hollowed out peppers, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
• Chili dogs! (with hot dogs or all-natural sausages & cheddar cheese)
• Chili nachos! – All year-round deliciousness!
• Chili-stuffed Potato Skins! um…yum!!

Now, for the recipe.

Ingredients:

• red pepper
• green pepper
• onion
• 4 cups of beans (two of: pinto, black, kidney)
• 1/2 lb of ground sausage
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes
• sea salt
• T chili powder (or less, if you prefer less spicy)
• 2 tsp cumin
• tsp sugar
• tsp garlic powder

Instructions

• Dice peppers and onions.
• Saute peppers and onions for 4 minutes. Add spices, sugar, and minced garlic.
• Add sausage, and saute until cooked through.
• Add beans and tomatoes, and simmer for at least 45 minutes.
• Taste, adjust seasonings, and serve.

chili with rice – so hearty and filling I don’t even need my bedtime snack!

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