Chili- Vegetarian

Chili is one of those things that can be made a million different ways.  

1. Start with a bunch of cans of tomato sauce or to be healthier crushed tomatoes and pureed tomatoes.  Basically it doesn't matter what you use, whatever your preference is.  The key is in fixing the sauce up.  Taste it!  If it tastes a bit bitter, slowly add small amounts of sugar (maybe 1/2 T at a time) until it tastes better.  Also, add a bit of Italian seasoning (not the kind with salt added but one with just herbs), chili powder (which should smell like chili), chopped dried onion, and garlic powder.  Keep adding chili powder until it tastes like chili but be careful, too much and it will be HOT!  We like to get our spices on one of those bulk spice racks or at a Mennonite or Amish bulk food store- usually these are better tasting and a lot cheaper!  

2. Once you have your sauce, mix in whatever kind of beans you like, frozen mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, veggie 'meat,' and mushrooms if you would like.  

3.  Simmer until it is done.  Yummm...