Mama's Chili - (Jan’s Version)

3 lbs. Ground beef                  
1 lg. onion, chopped                
1 bell pepper, chopped          
3 toes garlic, chopped              
1 or 2 handfuls of chili powder
2 cans tomato sauce
2 cans tomato paste
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 can Ranch Style Beans

Sauté beef in a large pot, until cooked, and drain excess fat.  

Sauté onion, bell pepper and garlic until onion is wilted.
Add meat back to the pot and add tomato sauce and tomato paste. 
Mix well and then add the chili powder.

Add about 2 cups of water (more if needed) and beans - (if you
use beans) - mix well and let simmer for about an hour.  
Less if you're starving!   Salt and pepper to taste.

I Serve it hot with grated cheddar cheese on top.

If chili is too thin, just let it cook for awhile longer 
and it will thicken on it’s on.  If you're in a hurry, make a
slurry of flour and water - add it to the chili - bring the
chili up to a boil and this will help thicken it.

* This is how Mama taught me to make Chili –
But, there is some controversy as to whether this is the way she 
made it herself.  Whatever, it's good stuff.