US SENATOR JOHN DANFORTH'S CHILI RECIPE

This one is very similar to the recipe that I make quite often with one distinct difference. My secret ingredient for thickening chili is re-fried beans, and I use seasoned diced tomatoes with chile's.

3 1/2 lbs top round steak, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
5 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cups coarsely chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp crushed red pepper
2 cups beef broth
1 (19 oz) can whole tomatoes with juice
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp sugar
3 (16 oz) cans kidney or chili beans
1-2 tablespoons yellow corn meal
Pat the meat dry with paper towels. Heat 3 tbsp oil in a large, heavy Dutch oven. Add meat. Sear until all pieces are lightly browned, 3-4 min. Drain off fat and transfer to bowl. Set aside. Add remaining 2 tbsp oil to dutch oven and saute onion and garlic until wilted but not browned. Stir in chili powder, oregano,cumin and red pepper. Add broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, salt and sugar, mixing well and breaking up tomatoes. Add meat. Cover and simmer about 1 hour. Add beans and heat through. Thicken with corn meal to desired consistency. Serves 4-6