WEDNESDAY AT THE BEACH - CHILLY & Chili

Very clear and with northwest off-shore winds.
The temp is much cooler than normal but at least it makes the ocean feel like summertime. It is a good day for some spicey chili and here is a recipe sent in from Aurora, Colorado.

Chili con Sausage – Aurora , CO

Submitted by Dan Willcox , Fire Academy Training Dept. – AFD

Sausage, Polish, Spanish, or other spicy sausage
Ground chuck - 1 ½ lbs.
Kidney beans – 4 ½ cans (15 oz)
Onions, medium - 3 – chopped
Tomatoes, canned – 2 cups
Olive oil – 3 Tblspns
Garlic, 2/3 cloves, minced
Cumin , ground – 1 Tblspn.
Chili Powder - 2 ¼ tspns
Paprika – 1 ½ tspns
Black pepper, freshly ground – ¾ tspn

Saute meat in olive oil until it browns.
Add the spices and well blended add the tomatoes.

Meanwhile, in water, covered.
Simmer the sausage for five minutes.

Remove sausage casings and break meat into small pieces.
Add the beans to the beef-tomato mixture
and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the liquid reduces.
Adjust seasonings, if necessary.

City of Aurora Fire Department says
that the one most important ingredient in any meal,
and readily available,
is camaraderie and conversations with friends.