Chunky Beef Chili au Gratin

Slow Cooker Method

Comfort Food at it’s best! Serve this chili in French Onion Soup bowls and top with your favourite grated cheese, a few diced tomatoes, jalapeños and some cool sour cream. Add some soft gooey garlic bread or wonderful French baguette.

• 2 lbs stewing beef cut into ½ inch dice
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp finely chopped garlic
• 1 16oz can plum tomatoes, hand crushed
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 6 tbsp chili powder
• 1 smoked chipotle pepper(canned)
• Pinch sugar
• Salt & pepper
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 16 oz kidney beans

1. Brown beef evenly over medium-high heat. Once browned, add onions and celery and sauté for a few minutes.
2. Add garlic, chili powder and chipotle pepper. This really helps bring out the flavour of the spices. Cook for a couple of minutes then drain any oil that is left over.
3. Add crushed plum tomatoes to pan and scrape bottom to get all the natural sugars. Put into slow cooker. Add rest of ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.

Enjoy!