Peppercorn Chili - Slow Cooker

Total Time: 8 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 8 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 2 lbs beef stew meat, fat trimmed and reduced to one inch pieces
• 1 large onion, or yellow, chopped
• 1 large green pepper, diced
• 3 (15 ounce) cans whole canned tomatoes, peeled with juice reserved
• 2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans kidney beans, light red, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns, according to taste
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 2 tablespoons basil
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon caraway seed
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 40 saltine crackers (one half package) (optional)
• 4 ounces sour cream (regular, light or fat free) (optional)
• 1/2 cup onion, diced (optional)
• 1/2 cup tomato, freshly diced (optional)
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

Recipe

• 1 brown beef stew meat in large skillet just until the edges are browned.
• 2 while the beef browns, in large crockpot (greater than 3 quarts), combine onion, green pepper, tomatoes (not juice), kidney beans, chili beans, tomato paste and tomato sauce. stir and add the remaining herbs and spices. mix well.
• 3 add beef and combine well. stir in reserved tomato juice until mixture is soupy and two inches from the rim of the slow cooker. do not overfill. note: the remainder of the juice can be refrigerated in a sealed container in case you want to add it later.
• 4 turn the slow cooker to low, cover and allow the chili to cook for a minimum of 8 hours. to help soften the peppercorns and reduce the heat, remove the crock pot from the heating unit and refrigerate overnight.
• 5 hints: to thicken chili, add additional beans or instant potato flakes. to thin chili, add remaining tomato juice.
• 6 serve in large bowls. presentation tip: place serving bowls of saltines, sour cream, onion, tomatoes and grated cheese on the table and enjoy!