All American County Fair Prize Winning Chili - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
8 ounces water
1 large onion, chopped
3 -5 garlic cloves, minced
4 -5 stalks celery, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 sweet red pepper, chopped
5 chili peppers, whole (cut slits lengthwise)
5 jalapeno peppers, whole (cut slits lengthwise)
1 zucchini, chopped
1 eggplant, chopped
2 cups baby carrots (whole)
20 -30 button mushrooms (whole)
2 cups frozen corn
1 lb steak, diced (any cut)
1 1 lb ground chicken (I like to use chicken) or 1 lb ground pork (I like to use chicken)
1 (20 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, cooked
1 (20 ounce) can black turtle beans, cooked
1 (20 ounce) can lentils, cooked
1 pinch oregano (use sparingly, strong flavour)
basil (to taste)
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
black pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Preparation

Put ALL ingredients in a pot and cook for 5 to 10 hours.
Stir occasionally.
Put the chili and jalapeno peppers in last with their stems sticking up out of the chili. This makes them easy to remove for those who don't want their chili hot!
The ingredients list is enough to make 2 pots worth (dutch oven size).
I usually omit the meat from one pot and make a vegetarian batch at the same time. It's good for your vegan friends and as lighter fare for lunch!
**All amounts are approximate. Use what is convenient, available and adjust to taste.
**The meat can go into the pot raw with all the other ingredients. It will cook right along with them and be more flavourful and tender as a result - especially the steak. I am so happy you like this chili! Thank you for the great reviews! Enjoy!