Chili con Carne my way

This is a simple but very tasty dish, and also quite healthy if lean beef is used. Meat substitutes like Textured Soy Protein (TSP) or seitan can also be used, but then it won't be Chili con Carne, but good anyway, especially if you add vegetarian smoked ham to add some flavour.

Ingredients (4 persons):

- 500g of minced lean beef (or the equivalent amount of prepared TSP/seitan plus some chopped vegetarian ham)
- 3 medium to large onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 1 tsp. cumin powder
- 2 tsp. oregano
- 2 cans of tomatoes
- 1 or 2 cans of kidney beans
- 10 sun dried tomatoes, soaked then finely chopped (optional, but nice)
- 300ml of beer
- 3 fresh chilies or a teaspoon of ground dry chilies (adjust the 'hotness' to taste)
- 2 tsp. of paprika powder
- a pinch of ground cinnamon

First you chop the onions and fry on some olive oil. When the onion turns translucent add the chopped carrot, garlic, and sliced fresh chilies. Then turn on the heat and add the minced beef (or chopped veg. ham plus TSP/seitan). Add the cumin powder, chili powder (if not using fresh chilies), paprika powder, a pinch of ground cinnamon and chopped sun dried tomatoes (if using).

Fry so that the meat turns slightly brown while constantly breaking up the lumps of meat, so that the minced meat gets separated. Pour in the beer and cook until the beer evaporates. Then put in both cans of tomatoes and both cans of beans and ad the oregano. Add a glass of water and cook for 45 minutes or until it reaches nice consistency. Stir occasionally.

Serve in a deep plate with a Tbsp. of sour cream on top and some bread.

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