Paleo Chili

This post has been a long time coming.  Being that winter is approaching, I thought it would be fitting to share this recipe I have made many times.  So here we are talking chili - and not just any chili but paleo chili!  Don't be fooled by the long list of ingredients.  Everything works in harmony together once you get it all into the vessel.  I use a 6 quart slow cooker (this one) and it fills to the brim when I add all the items.  Let me know if you make this and win any chili cook offs!

Ingredients are as follows: 

- 2 lbs ground beef 

- 2 bell/green peppers 

- 1 pack cremini mushrooms 

- 2 stalks celery 

- 6 cloves garlic (cut in halves for quarters) 

- 1 cup chopped carrots or baby carrots 

- 28oz crushed tomatoes 

- 14.5oz diced tomatoes 

- 6 oz tomato paste 

- 2 yellow onions 

- 2 jalapeños 

- 2tb butter  

- 2tb garam masala 

- 2-3tb kosher salt 

- 2tb black pepper 

- 1tb chili powder 

- 1tb paprika 

- 1tb garlic salt 

- 1-2tb cumin seeds 

- 1tsp red pepper flakes 

- ½ cup franks red hot sauce 

- Juice of ½ of a lime or lemon 

- cilantro garnish 

I took a different approach to the preparation process and numbered things sequentially so it is easier to follow.  With this recipe you want to follow this order so things are layered correctly in the slow cooker.  Good luck! 

1. Dice your vegetables that are on the ingredient list 

2. Brown the ground beef in a pot or pan to 80% cooked (some pink is ok) and set it aside 

3. Put the onions, green peppers/bell peppers, celery, carrots in the crockpot first to create a base 

*Before adding your veggies in, I recommend lining the bottom of the crockpot with 2tb olive oil so the veggies don't burn or stick to the bottom while cooking 

4. Next, add your cooked ground beef that you prepared on the stove into the crockpot 

5. Add the 3 cans of tomato products on top of the meat 

6. Add the remaining ingredients and spices 

7. Give it a slight stir so the spices mix into the tomato mixture 

8. Cook on low heat 8-10 hours until done stirring every 2-3hrs 

9. Garnish servings with cilantro 

NOTE: As you are stirring every 2-3hrs make sure to taste it and add salt/pepper as necessary