Chili con Carne

Ingredients

• 1 - 1 1/2 c. kidney beans
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb. ground beef
• Black pepper
• 6 - 10 green cardamom pods
• 2 sticks cinnamon
• 10 - 12 cloves
• 1 T cumin seeds
• 3 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz) can chipotle peppers in adobo
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 T cayenne (optional)

Directions

1. Soak the beans in plenty of water overnight
2. Sauté the onion and garlic in extra virgin olive oil for a couple minutes, then add the beef and a couple good rounds of freshly ground black pepper, cook through
3. Strain the grease from the beef mixture
4. In a small sauté pan, dry roast the cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and cumin seeds until fragrant (only a minute or two)
5. In a large pot on medium-high, mix the rinsed beans, beef mixture, spices, tomatoes, chilies, bell pepper and a couple cans worth of water
6. When the pot has reached a good boil, reduce the heat to simmer and let cook for two hours, occasionally stirring and adjusting seasoning and water levels as necessary