The Annual Chili Cook-off

We didn't get as many as we hoped for but we did have our annual chili cook-off. St. Peter's Church hosted a Chili cook-off which we hope to have every year. The idea is to have people make pots of Chili and bring to the event to be judged by those who buy tickets to our event. The tickets were $10 with kids eating free. You receive a bowl and two pennies at the door. The bowl is yours to take home and the pennies are your vote. We had a hoot and the pots of Chili were great. I didn't think it would happen because I was up against some pretty stiff competition, but I won.... hands down. Here's my Chili recipe... which really isn't a recipe at all.... Mom made chili when she was young and put frozen corn into it by accident and I've been doing that ever since.... I throw a whole lot of whatever in my chili.... as you will see.

Frankie's Chili
Two small packs of Ground beef and two sirloin steaks cubed into 1/2 inch squares (this is best done when still a little frozen)
The sirloin helps to add to the flavour
2 beef oxo cubes or packets
two onions (best when garden fresh)
brown meat and onions at same time
salt to taste and pepper to taste.
chop red and green peppers 2 of each (substitute a yellow one for a red one if you want more colour)
two cans of mushrooms or the equivalent in fresh (fresh are better)
two cans of tomato paste
two sm cans of tomato sauce
two cans of red kidney beans
1/4 bottle salsa
1/4 bag of frozen corn niblets
Now this is where I have fun!
chili powder to taste (I used a lot but mine was old and had lost the flavour... about a 1/4 c. You may want to tone it down if you are using fresh chili powder)
honey 2 tbsp (use more if you are using lots of chili powder it helps take the edge off the bitterness)
cinnamon very small amount..... 1/2 tsp-ish
a little garlic crushed 1/2 tsp-ish
a smidge of lemon juice
cayenne pepper (don't want too much of this as it will burn your lips) 1 tsp-ish
1 1/2 tsp tobasco
sometimes I'll throw in a few chopped tomatoes (better when skinned)

Let this all simmer for a few hours and voila.... yummy!