Chili with Cheesy Cornmeal Dumplings

Hearty, delicious and satisfying, ground beef chili with beans and cheesy cornmeal dumplings.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (15.5-ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup water

Cheesy Cornmeal Dumpling:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Directions:

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, cook ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain fat. Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt and black pepper and cook for 1 minutes. Add the beans, undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
2. Drop Cheesy Cornmeal Dumplings by tablespoonfuls onto simmering chili. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes more or until a wooden pick inserted into dumpling comes out clean.
3. For Cheesy Cornmeal Dumplings: In a medium mixing bowl stir together the flour, cheese, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and pepper.
4. Combine egg, milk and oil; add to flour mixture. Stir with a fork just until combined.

Makes 4 servings.