• 1 ½ -2 lbs ground beef try bison, turkey or ground chicken
• 3 cans beans I like kidney, black and pinto, drained and rinsed (sometimes I use more ground beef and one less can of beans) (15 oz)
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1-2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 15 oz diced tomatoes with juice
• 15 oz tomato sauce
• ¼ cup fresh parsley minced (or heaping tablespoon dried)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder to taste, I use scant tablespoons, use more if you like more heat, less if you want really mild
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon oregano dried
• 1 teaspoon cumin I used scant, again to desired flavor
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks 2 -4 inch or replace with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 bay leaf
• 2-3 hakes red pepper flakes crushed red pepper (again to taste, less if you desire less heat)
• 3-5 dashes paprika smoked paprika is delicious
• dash cayenne pepper if desired
• 1 can pitted black olives with liquid (optional, but add ½ cup water if not using)

Optional Add Ins

• 1 zucchini grated fine (optional)
• 3 carrots grated fine (optional)
• 1 cup pumpkin puree up to the whole can (15 ounces) optional

TOPPING SUGGESTIONS

• shredded cheese 3 cheese Mexican is our favorite
• green onions chopped
• sour cream
• Fritos corn chips
• avocado