Simple Perfect Chili

Simple Perfect Chili (or Simple, Perfect Chili) is a recipe appearing in The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl.

Official Description
This is my go-to recipe for everything from Frito pies to chili fries. It can be left very basic or made more interesting with additions like chopped onion, kidney and pinto beans, and cans of diced tomatoes and chilies. But whatever the eventual use, I never make chili without adding a mixture of masa (used in Mexican cooking) and water. While acting as a thickener for the chili, masa also lends a distinctive corn flavor, which gives the chili a wonderful dimension. Make this in huge quantities and freeze smaller portions - I love having chili in the freezer!

Recipe

 * 2 garlic cloves, chopped
 * 1 teaspoon ground oregano
 * 1 tablespoon ground cumin
 * 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
 * 2 tablespoons chili powder
 * 2 pounds ground beef
 * One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1/4 cup masa (corn flour, found in the Mexican food section of many supermarkets)

Optional Ingredients
 * 1 can pinto beans, drained
 * 1 can kidney beans, drained
 * 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
 * 1 can diced tomatoes and chilies (I use the Rotel brand)

For Serving
 * Shredded cheddar cheese
 * Chopped onion
 * Fritos

Begin by measuriing the spices: chopped garlic, oregano, cumin, cayenne, and chili pepper.

Place the ground beed in a large pot and throw in the garlic.

Cook the beef until brown...

And unless you want to tick off your cardiologist, drain off the excess fat.

Pour in the tomato sauce...

Followed by the spices and the salt.

Stir together well, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes over dry, add in 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.

After an hour, place the masa in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork.

Dump the masa mixture into the chili...

Stir together well. Taste, adjust the seasonings, and add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans, jalapeno, and tomatoes if desired. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve with shredded cheddar, chopped onions, and Fritos.