We had a chill and soup cookoff on our block recently and I was thrilled when my Classic Chili won for best Chili. My friend Jane made a fabulous, creamy Asparagus and Crab Soup that won best Soup. I’ll share that recipe if I can get it from Jane.

But I think it was awfully close – every chili and soup I tried was delicious!

This recipe is a blend of two chili recipes: the old Chili Con Carne recipe from the Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook my mom used to make, and a Classic Chili recipe from TheWholesomeDish.com. I also added a couple of Poblanos and a jar of Rotel tomatoes and peppers. I made it a few days before the block party and that may have made it even better.

(I forgot to take a photo, but found one that looked remarkably similar by Leanna Myers on Unsplash.)

INGREDIENTS

4 big frozen hamburger patties from Costco or 1 lb. ground beef
1 large yellow onion, sliced
1 bell pepper, chopped (I used a yellow bell pepper)
2 Poblano peppers, chopped
2 medium fresh tomatoes, chopped (the last from the garden!)
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 can regular Rotel Tomatoes
1 large bay leaf
2 Tbsp chili powder
1½ tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
1 ½ tsp cumin powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp sugar
1∕4 tsp smoked paprika
3 Tbsp tomato paste
2 cups of water
1 (15 ½ oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Cheddar Cheese (optional)
Crackers (optional)

In a large dutch oven, cook the intact hamburger patties until pretty well browned on both sides. Break the patties up into small chunks. Add the onion and cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions are translucent. Add bell pepper, poblanos and fresh tomatoes and cook another 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add canned tomatoes, Rotel, and everything else except the kidney beans. Stir well and simmer for at least 30 minutes, uncovered. Add the kidney beans last and cook another 5 minutes. (The kidney beans won’t get so broken down that way.) Remove bay leaf.

Serve topped with cheddar cheese and with crackers. You could also add a dollop of sour cream.