"garden" chili

Finally getting around to this post. I just wanted to share one of the ways we have used our abundance of tomatoes and peppers this summer. I call it "garden" chili, because a lot of the ingredients come from our garden. Usually I use a seasoning mix, canned tomatoes and beans for chili, but one day I just decided to try it with our fresh tomatoes, peppers, onion, and canned beans and see how it turned out. We like it so much better, and it's easier on the heartburn too!

Here's how I usually make it, but of course adjust amounts to your taste:

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
A jalapeno or two if you have it, chopped very fine
Celery, chopped, to your taste

Brown this all together until meat is done; drain.

Now add:
6-8 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2-3 cans plain beans, not seasoned (for this batch, I used a can each of pinto, red and black)
Salt and pepper to taste

Simmer until it seems done to you, about 15 or 20 minutes. I like my tomatoes cooked until they are really... well, unrecognizable. And careful with the pepper - I usually add too much.

And of course, you have to melt a big ol' pile of cheese on top, right?

Enjoy!