You’ll get a clear taste of cumin in this great cold-weather chili made with ground beef, beans and green bell pepper. If you want a hotter chili, add as much cayenne as you like.

Ingredients:

  1. 1 1/2 tablespoon(s) cooking oil
  2. 1  onion, chopped
  3. 1  green bell pepper, chopped
  4. 3  cloves garlic, minced
  5. 1 1/2 pound(s) ground beef
  6. 3 1/3 cup(s) canned whole tomatoes with their juice (one 28-ounce can), broken up
  7. 2  tablespoon(s) tomato paste
  8. 1  tablespoon(s) ground cumin
  9. 1  teaspoon(s) dried oregano
  10. 1  teaspoon(s) salt
  11. 1/4 teaspoon(s) fresh-ground black pepper
  12. 1 1/3 cup(s) drained and rinsed canned pinto or kidney beans (one 15-ounce can)

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring, until the vegetables start to soften, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to moderate. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring, until the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, salt and black pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes. Add the beans and simmer, partially covered, until the vegetables are tender and the chili thickened, about 5 minutes longer.
  3. Variation: Add one ten-ounce package of frozen corn, thawed, to the chili along with the beans.
  4. Wine Recommendation: Red zinfandel is just made for chili because it’s as flavorful and fun as chili is. If you choose to make the dish spicy with cayenne, the ripe fruity character of zinfandel can even cool the heat.