Black Bean Chili

I have no pictures of this yet, but I should be making it again soon so I'll add the pictures when I do. It's a simple recipe, and easy to make. It can be made in a slow cooker (crockpot) and left to cook on low all day, or made on the stove in about 20 minutes at the end of the day. I've made it both ways, and either way it's very flavorful and satisfying (just ask my nephews and their friends who always manage to show up on chili night!) The recipe makes about eight to ten servings, and can be stretched to serve twelve if you make extra rice. This recipe also freezes well, so if you're not feeding the army I often have for Chili Night you can toss the leftovers into the freezer for later.

Black Bean Chili 
(Serve with white rice, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream and)


Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil - $.20
2 lbs lean ground beef - $5.98
1 medium onion (diced) - $.89
3 cloves of garlic (minced) - $.39
2 tbsp chili powder - $.58
1 tsp cumin - $.24
1 tbsp Italian seasoning  - $.42
1 28 oz can of stewed tomatoes - $1.49
1 29 oz can of tomato sauce - $1.49
1 16 oz bag of frozen cut corn - $1.99
1 29 oz can of black beans (drained and rinsed) - $1.89
1 cup uncooked rice - $.38

Sides
Tortilla Chips - $3.99
Shredded Cheese (I prefer a cheddar/jack blend) - $3.99

Sour Cream - $1.09

Directions
In a large frying pan heat the olive oil. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion goes clear and the garlic is fragrant. Add the spices. Cook for about a minute. Add the ground beef, stirring to mix the onions and spices well into the beef. Brown.

In a large pot or slow cooker, combine the stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and black beans. Stir well. Add the ground beef (do not drain or you will lose the spices). Stir well. On the stove top, allow to cook for about 20 minutes, enough time to cook your rice. If making in a slow cooker, turn heat to low, cover and let cook all day. Serve over rice.

Total estimated recipe cost: $25.01
Per Serving estimated recipe cost:  $3.12 (based on eight servings)

This cost is based on full-price for store brand items. The cost will go up if you choose higher priced brands, and will go down if you hit a good sale. I highly recommend clipping coupons and checking sale flyers before shopping! Prices for spices are estimated on the number of teaspoons/tablespoons in an average spice jar. Price can be significantly reduced by buying spices in bulk!

Shopping List
1 can black beans
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
Olive oil
Garlic bulb
Onion
Chili Powder
Cumin
Italian seasoning
2 lbs ground beef
1 bag frozen corn kernels
Tortilla Chips
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream