Southern Beef Chili

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 2 lb (1 kg) lean ground beef
• 1 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 cans (540 mL) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cans (398 mL) stewed tomatoes
• 2 cans (118 mL) green chilies, drained and chopped
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed and drained
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp dried oregano, crumbled

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Heat oil in a large frypan over medium heat. Add beef, onions and garlic. Cook, stirring to break up beef, until browned, about 7 - 10 minutes. Drain off excess fat.
3. Stir in beans, tomatoes, green chilies, corn, water, sugar, vinegar, chili powder, cumin and oregano. Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Spoon into a 3 litre baking dish. May be refrigerated at this point for up to 36 hours or frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator before baking.
5. Bake until bubbling hot, about 45 minutes.