CLASSIC UNCLE ED CHILI
by Larry Skaja
This recipe was used on Sundays for football games. It was especially tasty when the Bears played the Packers.Edward Chmura(uncle Ed) did everything he could to convert Brad Skaja into a Greenbay fan. He bribed him with hats,t-shirts,pennants and his chili specialty. Uncle Ed was a frequent visitor to our house and was quite familiar with our kitchen. One Sunday, upon returning from church and pulling into our driveway Jan became alarmed when ,from the driveway,she saw a figure moving about our kitchen. Of course, it was uncle Ed. He knew his way into and about our house and was always welcome to drop in. This was a Greenbay/Chicago game at Greenbay and he was to travel for the game. So it was suprising to see him. Even more of a surprise when he announced , "Dont worry! I'm making enough for everyone." He then beckoned his little recruit to him and pulled a tiny greenbay shirt from a bag and commanded that Brad put it on. He then explained his secret ingredient for his chili was Bear meat. Here is what he taught us:
INGREDIENTS:
3 pounds ground meat ( Bear meat if they lose)
6 cans of red kidney beans
1 large onion diced
2 stalks celery diced
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 can V-8 juice 12 ounces
1 can or bottle beer 12 ounces( "if you would not drink it dont put it in the chili")
4 medium Jalepeno cut lengthwise into quarters then slice into small pieces
1/2 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
PROCESS:
In a large soup pot brown meat breaking into small pieces as it cooks( no big pieces allowed).
Add chili powder,onion, celery and Jalepenos, continue to brown.
Add kidney beans including liquid from the can
Add Crushed tomatoes,tomato sauce, beer,salt and pepper
Simmer at a medium heat until sauce begin to thicked. For a noon game, start cooking at 9 AM. Early tasting may begin 45 minutes after whole mixture has been simmering. Gets better with time. If you want next day chili...double recipe!