Cheater Chili

1 tablespoon margerine or butter
1/2 large yellow onion - diced
One standard package of lean ground beef (663g approx)
Old El Paso taco seasoning (Mild)
Old Dutch Restaurante salsa (Mild) - 430ml
1 can red kidney beans - 540ml
1 can chickpeas (optional) - 540ml
2 cans crushed tomatoes - 796ml

When I make this for children I use non-spicy salsa and taco seasoning mix and add chili powder to my own bowl. Mild is a nice medium burn if you enjoy spice. Feel free to buy the 'hot and spicy' taco seasoning if that is what you like.

My kidney beans and chickpeas are 'blue menu' items, from Real Canadian Superstore. The crushed tomatoes are also the no-name brand.

Any additional veggies could be added if given time to soften. We enjoy our chili fairly plain.

In a slow cooker, crock pot, or large pot on the stove, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and cook your diced onion until the pieces are soft. Add the ground beef, stirring occasionally, until it is cooked through. Feel free to add the taco seasoning now, or after the wet ingredients are added. It makes no difference that I can taste.

Drain and rinse any beans being used in the recipe. Once the beef is cooked through, add the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, chickpeas, and the jar of salsa.

All of my beans are already good to eat (soft) and the thirty minute cook time is to let the flavors simmer and all of the chili to heat up. You could have this on low for the day and come home to it, or just prepare it when you get home from work and heat all the ingredients thoroughly.

Serving Size: It makes 12 one cup servings.