Chili con Carne

How to make Chili con Carne Recipe - Chili con carne is said to have been invented by Mexican residents of Texas.

Ingredients:
2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 quart skinned fresh tomatoes or home-canned tomatoes, or 2 (16-ounce) cans tomatoes
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
4 cups beef broth
2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
Salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
Dash of hot-pepper sauce
2 cups pinto beans, cooked*, or 2 (16-ounce) cans pinto or red kidney beans, drained

Method:
In a heavy Dutch oven, slowly brown beef with onion and garlic until meat is cooked through.

Add tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano and hot-pepper sauce. Simmer beef mixture, covered, 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

Add cooked or canned beans and simmer 30 minutes longer. Makes 8 servings.

*To cook pinto beans:
Follow package directions. Or, wash and pick over beans; place in a large saucepan. Cover with water and soak overnight. Drain. Cover with water again. Simmer, covered, 2 to 3 hours or until beans are tender.

For the "quick-soak" method:
Wash and pick over beans; place in a large saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Return to a simmer and cook, covered, 3 to 4 hours or until beans are tender.