Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon salad oil
  • 2 lbs stewing beef, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup diced green pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (16 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 -3 hot pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Mexican chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 (16 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
  • 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese or 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese (or combo)

Method

  • Heat oil over medium high heat in a large dutch oven.
  • Add beef, onions, green pepper& garlic and cook until onion is tender (about 10 minutes), stirring frequently.
  • Add tomatoes& their liquid, hot peppers, chili powder, salt& bay leaves and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover& simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove bay leaves.
  • Stir in beans& their liquid and heat thoroughly.
  • Serve in soup bowls; sprinkle with cheddar or monterey jack cheese (or a comb).
  • Place under broiler for 1- 2 minutes to melt.
  • Serve with your choice of sliced green onions, diced avocados, chopped green peppers, hunks of crusty bread, corn chips,saltine crackers or tortilla chips as accompaniments.