Campfire Chili

All the ingredients are able to be changed. This is a flexible recipe, delicious and smokey. We did this one in our back yard but we do a similar variation for camping as well.

First, prepare everything you need to go in the chilli. Chop, chop:) Then, relax until you have lots of coals ready for cooking.

I like bacon or pork belly cut into bits but veggie oil would due. Heat it up or render out the fat from your bacon. Get a good layer of oil so everything doesn't stick to the pot.

Time to add some onions and garlic. Sweat them and develop some colour.

Pour some Jack Daniels into the pot and take your wooden spoon to the brown bits stuck to the bottom. The more you get off the bottom, the better your flavour.

Throw in your meat and brown it up.

We make our own chilli powder, you will need lots of spices. Good things to add to are lots of ground chilies, lots of garlic powder, a fair amount of oregano, some paprika, some cumin, pepper to taste, and even a touch of clove.

Add your favourite chopped veggies. Green pepper, red pepper, carrots, corn, and tomatoes. Whatever you might like.

Cook your chilli until the veggies have softened slightly.

Add some diced tomatoes. Canned or fresh will work. Cook it out some more.

Add some tomato sauce and some lentils. Stir it up.

I like to add more quick cooking grains such as moong dal, bulgar, and/or rice.

You need to add water for the beans to absorb. Make it look watery and then boil the water away, and repeat.

Put the lid on, removing only to stir or add water. Relax, enjoy the fire.

Anything canned or cooked already, add in now, your chilli is almost done. Careful how much water you add now. Time to boil it off and thicken the chilli.

Has everything cooked though? Acid of the tomatoes has sweetened up? Is it spicy enough? Maybe some more pepper? Adjust what's needed and then serve. Maybe you want to serve it with some sour cream? Cheese? Chopped green onions?