Jeff’s Wyoming Bubba Beef & Bean Chile

Jeff’s Wyoming Bubba Beef & Bean Chile

I found this recipe a long time ago and altered it to my specifications and thought I'd share. It’s great Chile and easy to make. Since I'm a Wyoming Bubba I like simple and easy as opposed to hard.

* 2 lbs lean ground beef
* 1/2 large red onion (chopped)
* 2 cloves garlic (minced)
* 2 small jalapeno peppers or more for heat (seeded and minced)
* 1 small red bell pepper finely chopped (green pepper is okay to sub but I use red)  
* 1 celery stick (chopped)
* 1 teaspoon oregano
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 3 Tablespoons chili powder
* 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper add ½ tsp more for added heat
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 6 (16 oz.) cans of kidney beans (with liquid)
* (You may sub with any 16 oz. cans of beans of your choice.)
* 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
* 1 (29 oz.) can pureed tomatoes

In a large stock pot, brown the ground beef along with the onion and garlic. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring it to a boil.

Once it boils, reduce the heat and simmer for an hour covered. It’s ready to eat after hour but I leave it on the stove for 2 more hours on simmer (very low heat) to cook down.

You may skim off any grease on the top if you want but I leave it in because the fat gives it more flavor. It’ll serve 8 total; Cowboys or Cowgirls.

Footnotes: This is a very easy recipe. If you’d like to, “Cowboy-Up” your Chile experience bake some taters up before the Chile is done. Buy a bag of the 4 Mexican Cheeses pre-shredded (any brand) a container of sour cream, bacon bits, a bag of Fritos Chile Cheese Chips, sliced avocado or whip up some guacamole. Cut the tater in half, pour Chili over it, then a little sour cream and some avocado over the Chile, then sprinkle the shredded cheese and bacon bits and lastly put a hand full of chips on the top and, “YOU”RE OFF TO THE RODEO!”

PS: For many the Chile experience can’t be enjoyed unless it’s accompanied by a good Mexican Beer. Here are my recommendations.

 My Top 3 Mexican Beer’s:

* Pacifico
* Dos Equis 
* Dark Negra Modelo