SLOW COOKER COLA AND BLACK BEAN CHILI

Though I rarely use my slow cooker, probably because I don’t think far enough in advance to get it going for the day, I decided it was time to pull it out and play around with it. This tasty, cola-laced chili was the result. In my house, you know something’s good when there are no leftovers. None–not a single bean.

1-1/2 lb lean ground beef

1 large onion, diced

2 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 can Coca-Cola

1-1/2 cups frozen corn

1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thin

1/2 green bell pepper, sliced thin

1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin

1-14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (I used Hunt’s Fire-Roasted)

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1-6 oz can tomato paste

1 tbsp Tabasco Sauce

Toppings (optional): grated cheddar cheese, sliced jalapeno peppers, sour cream

1) In large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, onion, chili powder, salt, and pepper 7-8 minutes until beef is no longer pink

2) Add Coca-Cola to beef mixture and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally

3) Spoon beef mixture into slow cooker; stir in corn and next 7 ingredients; cover and cook on low 5 hours

4) Serve with tasty toppings of your choice and enjoy!

Servings: 4-6

NOTE: This is a “repeat” recipe featured on my original “Kitchen Novelist” blog 05/26/12.