Cha-Cha-Cha-CHILI!!!!

I don’t know about you, but I’m a BIG fan of chili!!  My dad made the BEST chili growing up!  Truly!!  Then I married Mr. Spouse and he’s always trying to master the chili makin’ art…and he’s pretty dang amazing if I do say so myself.  I LOVE his chili!!!  My cute little school just had a Chili Cook-Off last week and a couple of my sweet parents came in and brought all the ingredients to make their chili with my kids.  As it was cookin’ in my class throughout the day, it was taking EVERY ounce of willpower I had not to open up the crock pot and fix myself a bowl.  It smelled SOOOO good!  And let me tell ya…restraining myself was SO worth the wait because when I finally did dig in, I was in HEAVEN.  I was SURE we’d be the big winners of the cook-off, but we were robbed ;)  I still give it 2 thumbs up and then some…an winner in my book FOR SURE!!!!  Thank you to my sweet parents for this amazing recipe…and thanks to my sweet kids for giving it the PERFECT name!!

MRS. CARROLL’S CHA CHA CHILI

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 lb. ground sirloin

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 jalapeno peppers, chopped {optional…I used ‘em, of course!}

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped {pressed}

1 tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 {15 oz.} can of black beans

1 {15 oz.} can of pinto beans

1 {10 oz.} can of Rotel {we used mild, but next time we’ll use HOT!}

Salt & pepper to taste

Shredded cheddar or monterrey jack cheese

Fritos

Don’t let the amount of ingredients steer you away from this recipe!  See, it’s not that bad!!

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat.  Add beef and cook for 7-10 minutes.  Add onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, & jalapenos and cook over medium low heat for 5 minutes.  Add beans {DON’T drain!} and Rotel.  Bring to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes, covered {stirring often}.  Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.  Top with cheese and Fritos and ENJOY!!  I promise you will!!!

Mr. Spouse LOVED it!!!  And when he was finished, he was all, “That Frito Pie was awesome!”    And I was all, “That wasn’t a Frito Pie.  It was chili topped with Fritos.”  And he was all, “Chili…cheese…Fritos.  How is that NOT a Frito Pie??”  Well played, Mr. Spouse.  This is just a MUCH better and beefier version of a Frito Pie than I’ve ever had.  It’s like a Frito Pie on steroids and it’s DANG GOOD!!!!!  Even the kids liked it!!  ALL of them :)  They were even asking for seconds!  It definitely gets a first grade THUMBS UP!!!!