Easy Chili

Never underestimate the power of ease in the life of a mom. Sometimes it's all we can do to get a meal on the table, and it is certainly nice to have some recipes in your repertoire that you're likely to have all the ingredients on hand to throw together at the last minute. The beauty of chili is that you can clean your fridge of all sorts of things as it is so easy to adapt. A red pepper on it's last limpy leg? Throw it in! No ground beef but a lump of some strange meat starting to collect frost in the recesses of the freezer..perfect! No meat, well that's no big deal either! And don;t want to store any unused onion, throw the whole thing in. Here's an easy recipe I build from, only changing it to use up necessary items!

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 t minced garlic
  
• 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  
• 1 (8 ounce) jar salsa ( I use Trader Joe's)
  
• 4 tablespoons chili powder (I use fiesta salt-free seasoning from the bulk aisle)
  
• 2 cans pinto beans (or any beans of your choice!)
  

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the ground beef and the onion and saute for 10 minutes, or until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain grease, if desired.
2. Add the ground black pepper, garlic, tomato sauce, salsa, chili seasoning mix and beans. Mix well, reduce heat to low and simmer for at least an hour.