Family Favorite Recipe

Tonight I made chili for dinner...perfect for the cold weather we have been having!

This recipe has been in my family for many years, 

originating from my great aunt on my Michigan dad's side.

There are two KEY ingredients to this chili...

the first being BACON....I love bacon,

and the second being the beans...they must be BROOKS CHILI HOT BEANS.

Forgot to include the ground beef in the picture.

Now, this is definitely a "Midwestern" chili because they only sell Brooks Chili Hot beans in the Midwest.

So every summer when I am in Michigan, 

I buy about a case of the chili beans and import them to Virginia,

or my Michigan mom brings me a case when she comes to visit.

I might have been stopped by TSA once or twice

for trying to bring a suitcase full of beans on the plane...

apparently giant cans of beans look like possible explosives on x-ray machines.

Embarrassing.
I digress...

If you are desperate to try this recipe,

you can buy the beans on Amazon.com here.

Clearly many Mid-westerners who no longer live in the Midwest

 must LOVE these beans if they are selling beans on Amazon.com.

I don't usually grocery shop on Amazon.com. 

I now have to wear my cheaters when cooking or I fear I will chop off a finger.

This picture reminds me that every spring people complement me for losing 10 lbs...

I don't actually lose weight, I am just not wearing four layers of clothing (as shown in the picture) anymore.

I am wearing a "vintage" Vineyard Vines fleece with long underwear, a long sleeve t-shirt, and a turtleneck.

I digress again...

"Ahhh no, I didn't eat the bacon..."

Here is the recipe....it's very simple

Aunt Trudee's Chili

6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 large onion, chopped

2 lbs. ground beef

2 cans tomato soup

2 medium or 1 large can of Brooks Chili Hot beans

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

pepper to taste

Brown ground beef with onion and drain any fat.

Add soup, beans, seasonings, and bacon.

Simmer on low for at least 30 minutes.

Freezes well.

(I have been known to use more than 6 slices of bacon)

Was not able to figure out how to photoshop out all of the bacon grease on the cook top.

This is a thick chili...very hearty.

We like to eat it with fritos and cheddar cheese.

As we say in our family,

YUM OUT or NOM NOM!

Hope everyone is staying warm!