Zippy Slow-Cooked Chili

Name: Zippy Slow-Cooked Chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 medium green pepper, chopped; 1 can (15 ounces) vegetarian chili with beans; 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; 1 tablespoon dried basil; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 3/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; 6 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese; 1 tablespoon minced chives

Serve up steaming bowls of this chili to warm your family on a cold winter's day...and you'll get plenty of compliments! Travis Skroch of Stratford, Wisconsin shared the recipe for the nicely spiced chili that simmers all day in the slow cooker.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) vegetarian chili with beans
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
6 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon minced chives

Directions

In a nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Add the tomatoes, onion, green pepper, chili, tomato sauce, chili powder, parsley, basil, cumin, garlic, oregano, pepper and hot pepper sauce. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with cheese and chives before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/3 cups: 266 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 759mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 8g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.

Originally published as Zippy Slow-Cooked Chili in Light & Tasty December/January 2004