Chili

When my children were little, I always tried (tried being the operative word here) to feed them something before they went trick or treating. I tried different soups, pizza, sandwiches, etc. and nothing really did the trick. One year I made chili and called it "Blood and Guts" and served it with "Skeleton Bones" (bread sticks) and my children loved it!! So, that started the tradition of chili every Halloween night. Now that they are all grown and gone (hate it when that happens!) we still get together one night in October and have "Blood and Guts". This recipe makes a lot, but is so very good.

Chili

2 medium onions, diced
2 - 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
4 cans (15 oz) pinto beans, drained - you can add more cans of beans if you want
46 oz (large can) tomato juice
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 cup ketchup
2 bay leaves
2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp cumin
1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar

Brown the hamburger and onion together in a large pot; drain grease. Add tomato juice, drained beans, tomato sauce, ketchup, spices and brown sugar. Mix well. Stir in bay leaves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer over low heat for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.

We like to serve our "blood and guts" with crushed fritos, shredded cheese and chopped onion.