I love Terri, and I love her chili recipe! I began to babysit for Terri when I was first married. The more I was in her home, and as our relationship grew, Terri was becoming an unintentional mentor to me – just by the way she and her family lived. After a couple years, she also became quite an intentional woman of influence over my life, sharing her wisdom and many prayers with me as well. I’m glad she also shared this chili recipe with me! Terri, you’ll chuckle when you hear that I recall teaching our boys the “beans beans the magical fruit” song while eating this. Gotta make some lasting memories for the kiddos around the table, right!?

1 1/2 – 2 lbs ground beef
1 chopped onion
1 green pepper

Brown these together, then add:

1 lg (28 oz) can crushed tomato
1 can drained and rinsed kidney beans
1 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
1 stalk chopped celery
1 C tomato juice
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1-4 dashes frank’s hot sauce (to liking)
1-2 Tbsp chili powder (to liking)
1 tsp salt
black pepper to taste

Simmer about 2 hrs and serve with tortilla chips, grated cheddar, sour cream (I substitute with plain greek yogurt, hence the massive dollop!) and chopped scallions for garnish.

*When watching my waist line, I like to cut the beef in half and replace with a 1 lb of ground turkey. I also often add in a red and yellow pepper and diced tomato as well, to amp up the nutrition!

*Food Pictures by: Rebecca O’hara Photography

*Here is Terri celebrating my birthday with me. Many have said we look like sisters, but we feel even more like sisters.