Chili With Beans

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried kidney beans, rinsed and sorted
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2-3 stalks celery, chopped fine
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• salt, to taste
• masa corn flour, from chili kit
• shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Presoak kidney beans according to package directions.

2. 2

   Drain beans, add cover with 6-8 cups fresh water.

3. 3

   Brown ground beef with onion and celery.

4. 4

   Add to beans along with 1/2 the contents of the seasoning packet from the Carroll Shelby's chili kit mentioned in the intro, and tomato paste.

5. 5

   Bring beans to a simmer, and continue to simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

6. 6

   Add tomatoes and simmer for an additional 1/2 hour.

7. 7

   If you need to thicken the chili, mix the masa flour with enough cold water to make a paste, and add a little at a time to your chili until desired thickness is reached.

8. 8

   You can also add cayenne pepper to spice it up at this point.

9. 9

   Serve with cheddar cheese, if desired.