HAPPY OCTOBER 31st!

I realize there's a great debate out there among Christians about whether or not to "celebrate" Halloween. Many believe the answer is to have their houses go dark and refuse to give out candy. Hmmmm...I haven't heard of anyone coming to Christ when the Christians stay in their houses, but I digress....

A better way, is what my friend Roberta does. See, she realizes that this is the only day of the entire year, that so many people from the neighborhood are coming to her house! So, she makes Chili. Chili? You say. YES! She sets out a bunch of chairs and makes a big pot of delicious chili, and invites the neighbors over to enjoy it together. She got some strange looks the first year...but people came anyway. Now, they just expect it. This year, unavoidably, she isn't able to do it. And she is very sad about it. So, I thought a great way to help her with this is to invite anyone who reads this to make some chili in your neck of the woods! God can use times of even casual conversation for His eternal purposes!

WORLD'S BEST CHILI

4 tbsp. vegetable oil

2 lg. onions,chopped

4 lg. garlic cloves, minced

4 lbs. lean stew meat, cut in sm. cubes

3 lbs. bulk pork sausage

2 (1 lb. 12 oz.) cans whole tomatoes

2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste

6 tbsp. chili powder

3 tsp. cumin

1 tbsp. oregano

2 (1 lb.) cans baked beans

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. sugar

2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

2 (15 oz.) cans kidney beans, drained

1(15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained

In a large heavy saucepan, heat oil. Saute onion and garlic until soft but not brown. Add beef and sausage. Cook until brown; drain off fat. Add liquid from tomatoes. Chop tomatoes and add to meat mixture with tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, baked beans, salt, sugar and cocoa powder. Simmer partially covered for 2 hours stirring often.

If too dry add a little water. Stir in kidney and pinto beans. Cook 30 minutes longer or until meat is very tender. May be refrigerated or frozen. Before serving remove any excess fat. Invite the neighbors and ENJOY!