Chili con carne

Chili con carne is a classic dish, full of flavor, that combines simple ingredients to create a hearty and comforting meal. This recipe proves to be ideal for cool evenings or a gathering with friends, considering that it is easy to prepare and can be adapted according to everyone's preferences.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:
- 500g ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 large carrot, diced into approximately 1 cm cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, diced into approximately 1 cm cubes
- 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (400g) red kidney beans (or mixed beans), rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a spicy taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish (optional)

Preparation:
1. Start by preparing all the ingredients. Cut the beef into small pieces, and finely chop the onion, carrot, and bell pepper. These will add texture and flavor to your dish. It is important to have all ingredients ready before you start cooking for a smooth experience.

2. In a large skillet or deep pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant. This step is essential as it will form the flavor base of the dish.

3. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. This process will take about 5-7 minutes. Ensure there are no large chunks of meat so that it cooks evenly.

4. Once the meat is cooked, add the diced carrot and bell pepper. Continue to cook for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

5. At this point, add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, cumin, sweet paprika, and chili powder if you desire a spicy taste. Mix all the ingredients well to combine.

6. Let the dish simmer on low heat, covered, for 30 minutes. This process will allow the flavors to develop and infuse, resulting in a rich and savory chili con carne.

7. Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking. If you want to intensify the flavors, you can also add a few drops of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce.

8. When you are ready to serve, you can garnish with fresh coriander leaves, which add a note of freshness and a beautiful color contrast.

Serving suggestion: This chili con carne is delicious served with a side of rice or warm tortillas. You can also add sour cream or shredded cheese on top for extra creaminess.

Possible variations: You can adapt the recipe according to your preferences by using ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version. Additionally, you can experiment by adding various vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms to add even more flavor.

This chili con carne will surely become a family favorite, combining comfort and delight in one dish. Enjoy it with your loved ones and savor every bite!

 Ingredients: 1/2 cup cooked soybeans, 100g pork, 1/2 onion, 1 teaspoon crushed garlic, 1/2 carrot, 1/3 yellow bell pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 2 tablespoons butter: 100g tomato puree, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper, 200ml hot water