Chili to Share

Image courtesy of Raymond Gee.

Whenever a special occasion arises, stylist Raymond Gee habitually returns to this chili recipe, a staple at his family functions. “This was a specialty of my mom's,” Gee tells Family Style. “It turned up at countless baby showers, parties, anniversaries, and cookouts.” Food is a force that unites us, this much  Gee knows—that’s why he falls back on his mother’s invaluable recipe again and again. “Even though it’s simple and not artisanal, it defined my childhood,” he says. “I share it with people whom I hold near and dear.”

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Ingredients

• 4 pounds ground turkey or ground beef
• 1 to 2 cans of tomato sauce
• ½ cup ketchup to taste
• Garlic salt to taste
• ½  tablespoon onion powder
• ½  tablespoon garlic powder
• ½  large onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 5 packages McCormick low-sodium chili seasoning
• 2 cans zesty chili-style diced tomatoes
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 3 to 4 cans kidney beans
• Chili flakes
• Shredded cheese
• Avocado
• Sour cream
• Green onions
• Corn bread
• Townhouse crackers (to scoop with)

Instructions

1. Brown ground turkey or beef on medium-high heat.
2. Drain ground beef and add onions and peppers into the pan.
3. Stir in seasoning packets and incorporate evenly.
4. Add the remaining ingredients.
5. Taste test and add additional seasonings if necessary.
6. Simmer for about 10 minutes on medium low heat.
7. We often pair it with Jiffy corn bread that we make at home; it's a family favorite.