This recipe was submitted by Jelena Vermilion, Director of The AIDS Network’s valued community partner organization SWAP Hamilton as a part of our A Taste at Home campaign.

This chilli recipe was passed from my grandma to my mom, who eventually gave it to me. It reminds me of that familiar, home-comfort and a sweetness and warmth like a mother’s hug”

Ingredients:

• 1 can tomato paste (small)
• I can tomato soup
• 1 can chopped tomatoes (large, can use stewed tomatoes)
• 1 pound hamburger – preferably medium  or regular leanness, more fat = more flavour
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1 green pepper (chopped)
• 2 cans brown beans with maple or molasses
• 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
• 1 large can kidney beans
• 1 tsp cumin
• 4 tbsp chili powder – can add more to taste after cooking
• Dash of crushed red pepper
• Optional – 2-3 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions:

Fry onions and hamburger, add green pepper and cook until HALF cooked. Put into a slow cooker and add remaining ingredients, stir well. Cook on high for approx.. 5 hours, or low for 8 hours. For best results, serve the next day, or cook on high for the full five hours and then switch to low and cook longer- the longer it cooks the more flavourful it is. Enjoy!

While we may not be able to come together for an evening of great food and supporting our cause, great food can still bring us together, and so we are sharing with you the favourite recipes of our team, volunteers and community partners! Over the next few weeks we will be adding to this virtual cookbook to help inspire you in your own kitchen, and we hope our A Taste at Home campaign bring you the comfort these recipes bring our contributors. While we may be physically distant, we can still come together in a spirit of sharing and giving.

If you are enjoying our recipes and you are able at this time, please consider making a donation to The AIDS Network. Fundraising is a crucial component in our ability to provide programs and services to our most vulnerable clients. Food security programs are especially necessary in this difficult time, and are wholly supported by fundraising dollars. You can make a donation through our Canada Helps page. To find out more about the campaign and to see other recipes, visit www.aidsnetwork.ca/a-taste-at-home