Just Like Wendy's Chili

from ButterYum

serves 12

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pound ground beef

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 14-ounce cans stewed tomatoes

1 10-ounce can Ro-Tel tomatoes

1 14-ounce can tomato sauce

1 cup water

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 1.25-ounce packets of chili seasoning mix (or use my DIY recipe below)

1 14-ounce can kidney beans, undrained

1 14-ounce can navy beans, undrained

1 14-ounce can black beans, undrained

1 14-ounce can pinto beans, undrained

1 tablespoon white vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef with salt and peper until cooked through, stirring frequently to break up clumps. Stir in celery, onion, and green bell peppers; cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent. Add stewed tomatoes, rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce and water. Stir in dried parsley, cumin, and chili seasoning. Add undrained beans and stir to combine. Heat, stirring freqently, until mixture comes to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Stir in vinegar just before serving.

DIY Chili Seasoning Mix

makes approx 2 packets of chili seasoning mix

1/4 cup all purpose flour

4 teaspoons chili powder

1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon dried minced onion

1 tablespoon dried minced garlic

2 teaspoons white sugar

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons dried parsley

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Place ingredients in a blender, food processor, or spice grinder and blitz to combine.

adapted from allrecipes.com