Chili Recipe

I learned how to make chili about a year ago thanks to my boyfriend. My thoughts on chili at the time where a. its difficult to make and b. I had only tasted it at Wendy's and it wasn't worth the trouble! Since I love to cook and I had a lot of time on my hands I decided I was going to attempt to make it and see what happens. I browsed numerous websites for recipes and took tidbits from each and now I make chili that everyone says is amazing! So I decided I was going to share my recipe with you guys, and remember you could also take out the meat and make it a vegetarian dish and just as delicious and flavorful!

P.S. My recipe makes quite a bit, so you will have some tasty leftovers!

INGREDIENTS: When it comes to ingredients I have a basic amount of what I use but I occasionally play around with it and so can you!


- 6 slices bacon, chopped (regular or turkey) 

- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (you could use more or less, I use the whole thing!!)
- 1 large onion, chopped 

- 2 bell peppers, chopped (red, yellow or orange, your choice)

- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder (stuff is spicy so you can substitute it for an extra tbsp of chili powder)
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp oregano

- 1-2 lbs of ground beef (you can play around with this, my local market has a pack with three different types, pork, beef and turkey)
- 1 cup beer (I go with Budweiser or Budlight, of course this is optional but I think it gives it an extra kick)
- 1 can black beans (15.5 oz)
- 1 can kidney beans (15.5 oz)
- 2 cans crushed tomatoes (15.5 oz)
- 2 cans diced tomatoes (15.5 oz) 
- Sour cream (Garnish)
- Shredded cheese (Garnish)
- Saltine crackers

DIRECTIONS: I don't calculate how long each step is, I just eyeball it! Also if you are new to cooking you might want to set your burner to medium so you do not burn it, I learned from my mistakes!


1. In a large pot, on high heat throw in your bacon, until its got a good crisp to it.

2. If you're using turkey bacon make sure to add in some olive oil because it doesn't produce as much oil as regular bacon to sauté the remaining ingredients.

3. Throw in your garlic and make sure you stir it often so it does not burn. 

4. Add the onions and sauté as well.

5. Do the same with your bell peppers.

6. After all of the veggies are nicely browned, add all of the necessary spices, (chipotle chili powder, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper) make sure to stir it really well so they are distributed evenly.

7. After it gets nice and aromatic in your kitchen throw in the ground meat of your choice and make sure to break it up as finely as possible with your spatula. Stir it a few times until the meat is fairly cooked. 

8. If you decided to take my advice this is where you add the cup of beer, if not that's fine too, just skip this step.

9. Add both the kidney beans and the black beans and give it a nice stir.

10. Once everything is evenly stirred together, you can add your crushed and diced tomatoes and give it one last stir. If your pot is the same size as mine, at this point it should be filled almost to the top.

11. Once you see the sauce start bubbling, put the heat down to as low as it will go and let it cook for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Occasionally check up on it to make sure it doesn't overflow and to give it a stir. 

12. Throw some shredded cheese and a scoop of sour cream on top and serve with some saltine crackers! ENJOY!!


TIP: Make sure to use a pot that is easily cleaned because it can be a pain to clean, I've trashed one already due to this lol!!

The Introduction To Me!

My name is Nika and I am 26 going on 27. I recently moved to Wilkes-Barre, PA from Brooklyn, NY. I live with my boyfriend of two years and our three dogs. I've got three crazy American Staffordshire Terriers and they drive me insane and I mean that in the most loving way lol. I graduated college in NYC last winter and currently have had a hard.time finding anything job worth a damn. This means that I've had a lot of time on my hands, althoigh an occassional litter of puppies manages to fill my days with cleaning and love. The last puppy has gone about two weeks ago, what does that mean you ask? Well I have managed to find a new hobby to drive my boyfriend nuts. I'm sure you all are eager to find out!
The world of FREE SAMPLES, REVIEWS, and BLOGGING has become my obsession, my love, my satisfaction. I honestly dont even remember how I came across it and it was only two weeks ago. I am gonna warn you if you have not started yet, it is like a drug. The rush I get when I know a package is on it's way is overwhelming. This blog will be dedicated to product reviews, as well as reccommendations and observations. Feel free to discuss whatever, whenever and questions are always welcome. Idont know why I decided to start this at 2 a.m. but it seemed like a good idea at first but I need to catch some z's immediately! Hope you all didnt fall asleep reading this and come back real soon, you hear!